Zambian Kwacha Became the World’s Second-Best Performing Currency; What Does This Mean for Zambian Startups?
Startups used to be essentially local enterprises, producing goods and services for a network of clients and suppliers who were nearby, typically in the same city or state, and always in the same country, and sourcing supplies from them. However, globalization has given business owners a number of advantages, such as a larger market in which to sell their goods and the chance to shop around for the best prices, it has also brought about a number of new difficulties. If your company is trying to sell to a global clientele, you are probably well aware of the difficulties in comprehending to its market peculiarities.
Exchange rates, which are a truly global phenomenon touching all international transactions, affect your startups’ operations. It changes the cost of supplies that are purchased from a different country, and by changing the attractiveness of their products to overseas customers.
An innovator may not consider currency on a daily basis, its effects on business operation can be significant. For startups doing international business, this effect is the most visible. Currency fluctuations can be a major issue for you if they are not effectively managed. This is due to the fact that startups depend on steady inflow of foreign funds, and every cross-border transfer entails the possibility of an unfavorable exchange rate eroding profit margins.
For Zambian startups, the country’s economic and currency mess was a huge concern for startups until recently.
Zambian Kwacha and Economic Outlook
Given that the Zambian kwacha had one of the worst years of any currency performance in 2020, it is not surprising that the world is taken aback by its rapid surge this year. Although the causes of this increase are plausible, it still marvels when you see how fast it’s achieved this.
There is more emphasis on how the Zambian kwacha has become Africa’s sixth most powerful currency and the second-best performing currency in the world. The Kwacha lost more value in July 2021, dropping to K22.6 per $1, continuing a trend from the previous year. Following Hakainde Hichilema’s electoral victory in 2020, the currency went on to record its best year since 2005. This is traceable to its favourable policy change and the bolstering industrial growth the country experienced in 2 years.
Existing investors are increasing their stakes, while new ones, like the enormous BHP Group, are exploring the area for the first time in a long time. Anglo American Plc recently launched a new joint venture in Zambia, and First Quantum Minerals Ltd. eventually received approval for a $1 billion expansion in Zambia.
The global copper market is becoming more competitive, making it challenging to locate new mines. As a result, the Zambian kwacha has been in great demand, leading to a 14.2% increase in export earnings to $5.9 billion in 2021.
What this Means for Zambian Startups
On July 30, China and France, who were Zambia’s formal creditors, consented to negotiate a debt restructure. As a result, Zambia received final permission from the IMF for a $1.4 billion bailout. The Zambian kwacha increased last week to its highest level since September as a result of this news.
The most notable effect of Zambia’s currency stabilization will be the decrease in operational cost. This decrease will also be experienced in Zambian startups operating on foreign partnerships and in other African states.
Having a better currency valuation spurs expansion and attracts foreign startups looking to expand into better countries. In following months, there may well be an influx of startups looking to expand into Zambia’s growing economy as it now proposes a better financial gain.
Startup ecosystems are essential for building a thriving local economy. These talent and scientific clusters consistently stimulate the development of new businesses, the creation of jobs, and the attraction of capital. These are the elusive elements that ultimately result in increased prosperity and equity in our communities. Zambia’s economy is headed in the right direction as it now benefits its startup ecosystem.