Denny H Kalyalya: Ground-breaking ceremony of new Barclays Bank head office and call to help Zambia tackle economic challenges

Speech by Dr Denny H Kalyalya, Governor of the Bank of Zambia, at the ground-breaking ceremony of the new Barclays Bank Zambia PLC head office, Lusaka, 6 June 2019.

The views expressed in this speech are those of the speaker and not the view of the BIS.

Salutations

It is my great pleasure to officiate at this ground-breaking event of Barclays Bank Zambia Plc New Head office.

Distinguished Guests, the construction of the new Head office for Barclays Bank Zambia Plc, which will be rebranded as Absa Bank Zambia from next year, is a demonstration of the efforts and commitment by Absa Group Limited to become a Pan-African organisation, that is interested in the sustainable development of the financial sector and the economies of the countries they operate in.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this event, also marks a new chapter for one of Zambia's oldest banks. Barclays Bank Zambia has been in the country for over a century having opened its first branch in June 1918. Today, the bank has a widespread presence across the country with 41 branches, 103 ATMs, and other digital service delivery channels. It employs in excess of 800 staff.