LIDC development- Case study Zambia

• Location and background:

  • Zambia is an LIDC in central Southern Africa
  • It is a landlocked country, surrounded by 8 others
  • It has a population of 14.5 million
  • The capital city (Lusaka) has a population of 1.7 million
• Current level of development:

  • gross national income (GNI) is $3070 compared to the world average of $10,858
  • level of wealth per person is significantly less compared to other LIDCs
  • high birth rate and slow death rate means a growing population
  • has a history of poverty and colonial rule
  • human development index (HDI) of 0.43 and a life expectancy of 52 years
  • reliant on copper (64% of all exports)
  • gained independence from Britain in 1964
• Rostow's model:

  • Zambia has improved education and development due to investment from TNCs
  • more trading links have developed
  • Zambia is at stage 3 of Rostow's model (take-off)
  • more tourism, hydro-electric power (HEP) and transport is allowing for take-off to emerge
• Millennium development goals:

  • on track with primary education, gender equality, diseases and global partnership
  • need to improve on poverty, child mortality, maternal health, environmental sustainability
• Political influences on Zambia's development:

  • Zambia was under British colonial rule from 1888 to 1964
  • been a peaceful democracy since then
  • holds elections every few years and has been little political unrest
• Social influence on Zambia's development:

  • 1980s HIV/AIDS spread which meant that death rate increased and life expectancy decreased, there were 1.2 million people with HIV
  • 1981-1983 severe drought and people faced high food prices
  • some achievement on the MDGs
  • good shops and schools if people can afford it
• Physical influence on Zambia's development:

  • many national parks
  • abundant natural resources
  • over 50% of land suitable for farming
  • no sea border so trade is difficult
  • topical climate with wet and dry season
  • droughts which lead to starvation and poverty
• Economic influences on Zambia's development:

  • copper industry accounts for 63% of all exports
  • exports also include cobalt, tobacco, flowers and cotton
  • economy has grown since 2000
  • good financial services
  • good access to markets
  • growth in tourism, farming and hydro-electrical power (HEP) to help diversify economy
• Investments from TNCs:

  A range of TNCs such as associated British foods (ABF) are now operating in Zambia at primary, secondary and tertiary level.

  ABF, a TNC based in the UK bought Zambia sugar which produces and exports most of Zambia's sugar from its cane plantations. Investing in Zambia is attractive to a TNC like ABF because the TNC's don't have to pay much tax.
• Aid and debt relief:

  • people receive aid from charities such as Water Aid
  • Water Aid is sustainable for villages and encourages healthier lifestyle
  • wealthier countries encouraged the decline of the country's massive debt
  • less debt repayments has meant more reinvestment
• "Top-down" strategy in Zambia: The Kariba dam


  Advantages:

  • dam generates large amounts of hydro-electric power (HEP) which helps the country develop
  • it is renewable and doesn't produce any carbon emissions
  • tourism and fishing have increased around Lake Kariba
  • it has helped the capital city, Lusaka to develop
• "Top-down" strategy in Zambia: The Kariba dam


  Disadvantages:

  • 57,000 Tonga people were relocated from the Zambezi valley and were settled far away
  • the land there was less fertile and this led to hunger and famine
  • natural processes have been disrupted
  • ecosystems and farmlands have been lost
  • many local communities are still without electricity
  • local people were not consulted
  • the dam is likely due to collapse due to erosion
  • it puts more people at risk from flooding
• "Bottom-up" strategy in Zambia: Room to read 


  Advantages:

  • identifies problems at a smaller scale and provides solutions
  • improves literacy rate in local communities
  • raises awareness around girls’ education
  • teacher receive better training
  • responds to needs of the local community
• "Bottom-up" strategy in Zambia: Room to read 


  Disadvantages:

  • may not be planned systematically
  • may only happen in some places and not others
  • may rely on volunteers or aid donations from other countries
  • Projects can be stopped if funding is withdrawn
• China's investment in Zambia:

  China is the world's largest importer of copper so Zambia is suitable for Chinese foreign investment in mines. In 2020, over 600 Chinese companies operated in Zambia. China has also invested in:

  • hydro-electric dams for power
  • railways(TAZARA railway which runs between Zambia and Tanzania) to improve accessibility for landlocked Zambia
  • farms to improve rural areas
  • tourism to help diversify the economy