Mission & Objectives | EAZ Structure | Committee Members | Representation | Strategy & Programmes | Contact Details | EAZ Chapters

Originally established in the 1960s as the Lusaka Economics Club, the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) is a non-partisan body whose membership includes experts in the areas of economics, business administration and allied fields. In 1985, the Association was registered as a Non Governmental Organisation (under the Societies Act, Cap. 105) and has since continued to serve as a forum for the articulation of economic and other developmental issues.

According to its Constitution, the Association aims to promote the socio-economic development of Zambia and the world at large by undertaking research, training, education, publication and consultancy in the field of economics and related disciplines. Specifically, the Association’s Constitution provides for the following functions:

a) To promote and sustain research interest in the discipline of economics, business administration, applied statistics and other related disciplines;
b) To promote high standards of professional conduct in these disciplines;
c) To provide a forum for regular professional discussion on theoretical and practical issues relating to these disciplines through conferences, workshops and seminars;
d) To publish and disseminate economic and other related literature;
e) To participate in the development of sound national, regional and international economic and other related policies;
f) To contribute to the socio-economic development of Zambia and the world at large through (i) the establishment of active and strong networks among similar professional associations and individuals; (ii) regular exchange of experiences, ideas and research results in order to promote coordinated solutions of national, regional and international problems; and, (iii) convening of regular conferences and seminars on emerging issues and challenges.
g) To undertake consultancy work to ensure the financial sustainability of the Association;
h) To invest in viable business ventures as well as undertake fund-raising activities from local and international sources;
i) To initiate and arrange training programmes in techniques of economic policy formulation, economic diplomacy, development of business plans, environmental auditing and impact assessment as and when demand for these services arises; and
j) To do all such acts as are necessary to foster socio-economic development in Zambia and the world at large.

In the light of the above functions, the Association runs a number of programmes. First, there are the EAZ Monthly meetings where experts are invited to address members on different pertinent topics. Secondly, the Association has in the past commissioned specialist research teams to undertake studies in the various aspects of interest to the Association. Thirdly, local and international workshops have also been organised by EAZ. Lastly, the Association also engages in networking in order to establish links with relevant organisations that are involved in similar activities. The Association’s Constitution further allows it to establish Chapters in areas outside Lusaka where there are more than ten ordinary members that are willing to form these.

The Association has a Secretariat that is headed by an Executive Director who is appointed by the National Executive Committee. He implements the decisions of the Annual General Meeting and the National Executive Committee and prepares and manages the Association’s annual programme of work and its budget. The revenues of the Association are derived from membership fees, annual subscriptions, research, publications and consultancy work as well as endowments from donations and other fund-raising activities.

Mission Statement

The Association’s mission as set out in the Strategic Plan 2003-2007 remains valid:

“To contribute to economic and social development through the promotion and advocacy of sound economic policies.”

Objectives

The Association has elaborated five main objectives for the period 2008-2009:
1. To provide effective input into public policy for decision-making;
2. To mobilise evidence-based policy research in economics and related disciplines;
3. To strengthen public information and outreach on economic and related issues;
4. To mobilise and improve professional capacity for consultancy and advisory services to both the private and public sector; and
5. To strengthen the EAZ secretariat to carry out the above four objectives.
6. To build strategic partnerships for the formulation and implementation of economic policies
7. To establish and maintain high professional ethics and standards in economic research, consultancy, publications, and advisory services
8. To build effective national, regional, and international networks with professional associations and other institutions

The EAZ is structured as follows:

Annual General Meeting

At the AGM of the Association, members of the Association and observers consider the annual reports of the EAZ President, the Treasurer and the Auditors. Every two years, the AGM appoints Auditors of the Association and elects officers and members of the National Executive Committee

National Executive Committee

This is the governing body of the Association and is responsible for the policies of the Association. The National Executive Committee consists of eleven elected members and one ex offico as follows:

• President
• Deputy President
• Secretary
• Deputy Secretary
• Treasurer
• Deputy Treasurer
• Publications Secretary
• Deputy Publications Secretary
• Three Committee Members
• Immediate Past President

In addition, the Executive Committee has established sub-committees drawn from the general membership, specifically covering various aspects of the Associations’ activities. These are;

i. Meetings and Seminars
ii. Consultancy, Research and Policy Analysis
iii. Finance and Resource Mobilization
iv. Legal, Code of Conduct and Disciplinary
v. Membership Recruitment Committee

Secretariat

The Secretariat runs the Association on a day-to-day basis under the guidance of the National Executive Committee. The National Executive Committee determines the organisational set-up of the Secretariat. For the time being, the Secretariat is headed by an Executive Director, supported by a Programmes Officer, Logistics Officer, Administrative Assistant and an Office Assistant. Additional appointments may be made if needed to undertake specific programmes.

POSITION	NAMES	BACKGROUND
President	Dr. Mwilola Imakando	Executive Director: Zambia Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR)
Deputy President	Mr. Jacob Lushinga	Cordinator, Strategic Planning Unit: Bank of Zambia
Secretary	Mr. Isaac Ngoma	Managing Director: D-C-Fix Business Solutions
Deputy Secretary	Mrs. Katendi Kapin’ga Nkombo	Deputy Director Human Rights Commission
Treasurer	Mr. Noel Nkoma	Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs: Finance Bank Limited
Deputy Treasurer and Acting Executive Director	Mr. Mchokoliso Tembo	Consultant: Consolidated Advisory Services
Publications Secretary	Dr. Francis Chigunta	Senior Lecturer: University of Zambia
Deputy Publications Secretary	Ms Pamela Bwalya	Principle Economist: Ministry of Finance and National Planning
Committee Member	Mr. Robert Liebenthal	Private Consultant
Committee Member	Mrs. Judith Kumwenda	Executive Director: Cara Councilling and Training Trust
Committee Member	Mr. Phillip Chilomo	Private Consultant
Immediate Past President: Ex Officio	Mr. Muna Hantuba	Chief Executive Officer: African Life Financial Services

EAZ is represented on several statutory and other corporate boards. The association also provides input into public policy formulation through representation on various working groups and committees that are set up in Government Ministries and public agencies. This is a potentially important means for bringing the Association’s views and expertise to bear on key policy issues. Currently EAZ is represented in a number of such organs as listed below.

Corporate Institutions	Nature of Business	Representative
Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation	Generation and Distribution of electricity	Mr. Noel Nkoma
Zambia Competition Commission	Regulation of competition in the business sectors of the economy	Mrs. Katendi Kapin’ga Nkombo
Rural Electrification Authority	Promote rural electrification	Pending appointment
Programme Against Malnutrition	Promote national food security at household level	Mrs. Mwambwa I. Mwendaweli
National Economic Advisory Council	Provide economic policy advisory services to the government	Dr. Mwilola Imakando EAZ President
National Road Fund Agency	Administration of monies for road construction and safety	Mrs. Anne Zulu Chime
Zambia Revenue Authority: Revenue Appeals Tribunal	Consider and deliberate over matters of tax disputes	Dr. Cosmas Musumali
Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research: Steering Committee Ministry of Finance and National Planning:	Economic Governance & Management Think Tank: Undertake policy analysis and research & advise government	To be advised
Civil Society for Poverty Reduction	Network of CSO focused on Poverty reduction advocacy and works.	Mr. Isaac Ngoma
Working Groups & Committees
Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research: Technical Committee Ministry of Finance and National Planning:	Economic Governance & Management Think Tank: Undertake policy analysis and research & advise government	Mr. Robert Liebenthal   Mr. Isaac Ngoma
Bank of Zambia: Financial Sector Development Plan: Macro-economic Group	Oversee the implementation of the FSDP	Mr. Noel Nkoma
Ministry of Finance and National Planning: Sector Advisory Group: Macro-economics	Advise government on macroeconomic issues towards the FNDP	Executive Director
Ministry of Finance and National Planning: Audit Committee	Interact with the ministry over matters of government audit.	Mrs. Mwambwa I. Mwendaweli
National Constitution Conference	Consider submissions on the Mungomba Constitution Review Commission	Dr. Mwilola Imakando   Ms Suya Chidumayo

Alliance for Public Financial Awareness

In association with CSPR, and prospectively with other stakeholders, the EAZ has initiated an Alliance for Public Financial Awareness, aimed at raising awareness among Government officials and Zambian citizens’ on the importance of good management and prudent spending of budget resources by Government. This is to be done through support for appropriate analytical work, such as public expenditure reviews, (possibly including a Public Expenditure Tracking System (PETS) advocacy created by strategic partners on public expenditure management and an awareness campaign involving the media and public at large. The focus of the action is on reminding Government of prudent fiscal spending, rather than demanding tax exemptions and reductions for a particular taxpayer clientele.

Seminars, conferences and training

EAZ has, in the past, successfully organised seminars and training workshops for Members of Parliaments, National Assembly staff, journalists, other civil society organisations and for students. Several of these have been organised by EAZ as part of a consortium with other organisations, including regional organisations. Some of the notable ones include;

a. The Conference on Deepening Economic Diversification in Zambia under the theme “Towards the Transformation of the Copperbelt” The Association in conjunction with the Government and World Bank organised and facilitated the successful hosting of this international conference at Kitwe in June 2002. This event stimulated some successful economic initiatives and attracted donor support for them.

b. The Tony Blair Commission for Africa under the Commonwealth auspices contracted the EAZ to collaborate with DfID and the Southern African Regional Poverty Network (SARPN) in organizing and facilitating the successful hosting of this international Consultative Conference under the Theme: “What Action for a Strong & Prosperous Africa” in Lusaka in December 2004.

c. The EAZ pioneered and managed the Revenue Institutions of Zambia Enhancement Support Project: Civil Society component (RIZES/CSO/BAAF), a DfID-supported project encompassing the public, private sectors and civil society constituted as the Budget Analysis and Advocacy Forum (BAAF). This forum focused on tax policy and budget analysis in 2002 - 2006

d. The Association coordinated and delivered workshops on capacity building for Members of Parliament in budgetary and economic policy issues under the USAID/PACT Zambia supported Parliamentary Reform Programme (PRP) 2004 - 2005

e. The Association in conjunction with other civil society organisations advocated the creation of a national monitoring team on the HIPC Initiative. Constituted by the Minister of Finance and National Planning and the World Bank/IMF the team monitored the disbursement and utilization of HIPC funds and conducted impact assessment on the beneficiaries. EAZ played a key role in implementation of the team in 2004

f. The Association coordinated the NEPAD Project for civil society as the national focal organisation for the CSO partners. The project involved capacity building and advocacy on the African Peer Review Mechanism under the CSO - NEPAD Southern African Regional Project funded by the Netherlands Institute for Southern Africa (NIZA) from January 2004 to December 2005

g. IDASA Capacity Building Workshops 2006. This partnership was entered into with the Institute for Democracy in Southern Africa to run six workshops, sensitizing the MPs, Constituencies and the general public on the process involved in the preparation of the national budgets. The implementation of six workshops has helped to expose the great need that exists not only among the rural dwellers but also the urban communities to hold governments and members of parliament accountable for their roles in developmental processes and issues of human rights. Clearly these workshops contributed greatly to the promotion of institutional protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

h. Currently, the Association, in conjunction with Civil Society for Poverty Reduction, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, Zambia Business Forum, Private Sector Development Association, Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the University of Zambia is organising a seminar series on Equity and Development, supported by the World Bank with a grant and with visiting speakers. EAZ’s comparative advantage in organising such events consists in its access to a large number of professionals in different organisations, which will be enhanced by development of the consultant database and roster.

Millennium Development Goals

The Association has played an active role in sensitization, lobbying and advocating on issues relating to the MDGs, specifically through the national MDGs task force, which is supported by UNDP. Through this task force, the Association has been involved in the preparation of the MDG country reports. Going forward, the Association expects to be involved in monitoring national efforts towards the attainment of the MDGs. Since this has obvious links with the monitoring of the Fifth National Development Plan, (see below), which incorporates Zambia’s medium-term strategy for attainment of the MDGs. The Association will ensure that MDG monitoring takes place, and that it will be playing a role in carrying out that monitoring.

Fifth National Development Plan

The Association took an active role during the process of formulating the FNDP through;

a) The Macroeconomics Sector Advisory Group (SAG) (see below)
b) Being the lead organization in Macroeconomics submission for Civil Society organization through the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) thematic groups
c) Coordination of comments from the general membership for submission to the Government.

The Association undertakes to continue to influence policy in the pursuit of realizing the set objectives in the FNDP. In particular it expects to play a role in the proposed monitoring and evaluation system for the FNDP, which is set out in the Plan document.

The Economics Association of Zambia has made progress in the implementation of its 2003-2007 Strategic Plan. Moreover its basic strategic thrust and objectives remain valid: to provide effective input into public policy for decision-making; to mobilise evidence-based policy research in economics and related disciplines; to strengthen public information and outreach on economic and related issues; and to mobilise and improve professional capacity for consultancy and advisory services to both the private and public sector. It has successfully organised seminars and training programmes; it has provided a forum for well-informed public discussion through its popular monthly meetings programme; and it is providing strong inputs into public policy through its evidence to parliamentary committees and its membership on several boards and committees.

Since the end of the strategic plan period, the Association has devised a Work Plan for the interim period 2008 to 2009 which concentrates on extending and deepening these successful programmes, while at the same time strengthening its own administration to enable a further expansion in activities after 2009. In particular, the Work Plan aims to further strengthen the Association’s contribution to public policy by improving the coherence of its public positions and advocacy, while at the same time providing opportunities for its members to practice and improve their professional skills through consultancy.

Economics Association of Zambia
9 Mansansa Close
Off Bwinjifumu Road, Rhodes Park
P.O. Box 38006
LUSAKA
ZAMBIA

Tel: +26-021-1225305
Fax: +26-021-1222032

Email: eaz@eaz.org.zm, eaz@iconnect.zm