Zambia's stock market is poised for a new phase of growth after President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second term in recently held elections.
The Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) says companies could raise as much as one billion dollars through new listings.
Zambia's capital markets have bounced back from years of economic volatility with a stronger currency, lower inflation and renewed investor confidence.
Four companies crossed the 1 billion-U.S. dollar valuation mark in the last 12 months, a record for the 30-year-old bourse.
Regulators say improved trading activity is already giving investors better prices.
Meanwhile incentives for smaller businesses are designed to bring more Zambian companies onto the exchange and unlock patient capital to fund infrastructure.
"The appetite is quite huge in terms of the different mix of the IPOs. We expect about a billion. As an exchange, are we ready to be able to manage those sort of quantums? The answer will obviously be yes, we are ready to be able to facilitate for these issuers to come to market," said Nicholas Kabaso, CEO of LuSE.
Zambia's bourse sets for surge as new listings target 1 bln dollars
A global dialogue on China's governance and world development was held in Washington, D.C. on Monday, bringing together nearly 100 guests, including U.S. think tank scholars and young representatives, to discuss China's governance experience and its contributions to the world.
The event was co-hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and the Chinese Embassy in the United States.
According to attendees, understanding today's China requires understanding the Communist Party of China (CPC). The recently concluded fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which drew worldwide attention, reviewed the Party's achievements and experience in full and rigorous self-governance in the new era and made systematic plans for sustaining these efforts, and will surely have a profound impact on China's future development.
They noted that as once-in-a-century changes accelerate and humanity once again stands at a crossroads, more and more countries and political parties are drawing inspiration from China's governance and seeking a development path suited to their own national conditions.
"China being such a leader in the world generally, a lot of countries will follow China's example. When I do learn about different Chinese advancements, it's been really nice to see that a lot of the research and technology that they are sharing is a lot more environmentally sustainable, I think," said Stephanie, a student at American University.
Some attendees said China's resilient and dynamic economy is the most important engine for the world economy and stability, and will continue to contribute positively to global governance.
They also expressed the hope that people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S. can transcend cultural and institutional differences so that, through mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation, the two countries can jointly address global challenges and create a better future for humanity.
During the dialogue session, U.S. media leaders and young representatives shared their experiences in China and discussed China's achievements in modernization, analyzing the strong momentum of China's scientific and technological progress.
They noted that China's notable achievements in fields such as green energy transition offer inspiration and reference for global sustainable development. Young representatives from China and the U.S. expressed their hope to strengthen exchanges in science, technology and innovation and contribute to cooperation between the two countries.
China announced an initiative in November 2023 to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study over five years. The goal was reached two and a half years ahead of schedule.
During a visit to the U.S. in September, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that 100,000 young Americans will be invited to visit China for exchanges and study over the next five years.
"[For the] initiative for 100,000 students to come back within the next five years, he's already accomplished his first goal, which was five years. He did it in two and a half years. Now he's got a new goal. That's what the young people want," said Ronald Sakolsky, a retired American teacher.
Global dialogue on China's governance, world development held in Washington
