By Angela Moonga
ZANACO chief executive officer Mukwandi Chibesakunda says the bank wants to work with the League of African Ambassadors in enhancing economic diplomacy.
Speaking when the Zambian circuit of the LAA planning committee paid a courtesy call on her at the ZANACO headquarters in Lusaka last week, Chibesakunda said described LAA as a viable partner in advancing economic diplomacy across the continent.
“The knowledge and experience I see in this room is immense,” said Chibesakunda according to a statement shared from LAA. “It makes me understand why the title ‘Ambassador’ is bestowed onto you for life. As Zanaco, we want to work with you in enhancing economic diplomacy in both the short and long term as you compliment already existing great government works. We believe you are working onto something good for the nation and the continent.”
According to the LAA, the organisation is a non-profit, non-political continental body comprising retired and serving envoys, which seems to promote economic diplomacy for the greater good of Africa, akin to the Council of American Ambassadors in the United States and the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Its launch is scheduled within a week on 14th October, with delegates from across Africa and beyond expected to begin arriving in Lusaka next week.
Ambassador Sylvester Mundanda, LAA’s administrative head, said the decision to approach Zanaco was deliberate, citing ZANACO’s standing as a pan-African and international bank with partnerships in Europe, and having recently been named as the country’s top commercial bank by Euromoney, commanding a market share of 21 percent, up from 19 percent last year.
Ambassador Anthony Mukwita, LAA’s Head of media and publicity, said, ZANACO could never have a better emissary than LAA as it continued to expand beyond Zambia, “big and strong.”
The LAA delegation included Ambassadors Joyce Musenge, instrumental in setting up the meeting, Lucy Mungomba, Anderson Chibwa, Mundanda, Bobby Samakayi and Mukwita.
Interim President Ominyi Nwanne was thanked for steering the continental launch, while Mundanda urged other banks, mines, and institutions to follow ZANACO’s example.
“We especially thank Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Mulambo Haimbe for giving us a third leg,” said Mundanda. “Without a push from his office, we can’t move this continental event any further.”
Zambia’s suitability as host rests on three pillars: its central location, its peaceful democratic credentials, and its growing reputation as a hub for regional diplomacy.
The bigger idea is to ensure that the knowledge the former ambassadors gained during their foreign service is passed on and doesn’t die with their recalls, the way the west and many on the continent do.
Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe calls it, “recycling wisdom and experience earned at a huge cost that is invaluable…if you recycle plastic, why cannot you recycle experience and knowledge where it is readily available? That is the story of Ambassadors.”
