Solwezi of Zambia – Another Copperbelt?Solwezi of Zambia is the capital of the North-Western province of Zambia. Over 65,000 inhabitants live here. The town is at an elevation of 1235 meters above sea-level. Kaonde is the largest tribe.
What strikes you about Solwezi of Zambia is that the roads are not named. For example, the main road from Chingola, which passes through the town centre, though not named is known as Independence road. FUEL STATIONS There are several fuel stations which make your travel easier, within and when you drive long distances out of the town. When you enter Solwezi town from Chingola, there is 1 BP filling station on your left and on the other side of town as you leave for Mwinilunga there are 2 total filling stations on either side of the Independence road BANKS The development of this town means more banks coming in the town. Banks found here are Zambia National Commercial Bank, Barclays Bank, NATSAVE, Capital Bank and others. OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Solwezi has also attracted other institutions such as ZISC, NEDFIN, Bureau and Insurance houses. INTENET SERVICES Internet cafés can also be found here. For example right in the town center, you can visit Unamuno Ent, Internet café on your right side towards Mwinilunga near the Total filling station.
LODGES AND HOTELS Famous lodges, Hotels and motels found in the town are the
Mwaaka lodge,
Kisu lodge,
Changa Changa motel,
The Royal Solwezi Hotel
and
Floriana Executive Lodge.
Recently Solwezi has experienced development especially with the reopening of Kansanshi mine. This is the main industry of Solwezi and is located about 14 kilometers out of the town centre. Many people are now attracted to this town, bringing with them various businesses and investments like guest houses, shops, including a hotel. There is a hive of construction works of houses and offices. The opening of another mine which is Lumwana, has contributed to the development of Solwezi and North Western as a province. This mine, Lumwana Copper Project, was recently opened and is 78 kilometers west of the town of Solwezi. Lumwana Copper Project boasts of being one of the largest copper mine in the world. According to Lumwana mine Managing Director, the mine has the largest mills in the world, largest crane in Africa and has largest trucks in Southern Africa. So, the opening of this mine plays a greater part in the development of Solwezi of Zambia town. COST OF LIVING Living in Solwezi has become expensive. For instance, vegetables here are almost double the price of what you would get them in Lusaka, Ndola or Kitwe. The reason? There are no commercial farms here. People have to travel long distances to bring commodities like vegetables and fruits from Lusaka and Mkushi while fish comes from Luapula province. Another reason? Miners have no time to negotiate for anything because they have better salaries. They just buy at whatever price!
Solwezi of Zambia - Another Copperbelt? To Zambian Towns And Cities
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