Mbita Chitala
Mbita Chitala | |
|---|---|
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| Deputy Minister of Finance and National Planning | |
| Script error: No such module "String". February 2003 | |
| Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry | |
| Script error: No such module "String". August 2005 | |
| Member of Parliament (Nominated) | |
| In office 1991 – 2001 | |
| Zambian Ambassador to Libya | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 11, 1955 Zambia |
| Nationality | Zambian |
| Political party | Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (formerly) Zambia Democratic Congress (formerly) Patriotic Front (formerly) |
| Education | University of Zambia |
| Occupation | Economist, politician, diplomat |
Mbita Chintundya Chitala (born 11 April 1955) is a Zambian political economist, public policy analyst, and academic. He is known for his contributions to Zambia's political landscape, particularly in the movement towards multi-party democracy, and has held various governmental positions throughout his career.
Early Life and Education
Chitala was born on 11 April 1955. He attended the University of Zambia, where he obtained bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees. His doctoral research focused on public debt management in Zambia, establishing him as an authority in public finance.
Political Career
Chitala co-founded the Zambia Research Foundation and was instrumental in establishing the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), a pivotal organization in Zambia's transition from one-party rule to multi-party democracy in the early 1990s. He also co-founded the Zambia Democratic Congress and later supported the Patriotic Front in 2011.
Throughout his political career, Chitala served in various capacities, including:
- Deputy Minister of Finance and National Planning (appointed February 2003), contributing to fiscal policy formulation and implementation.
- Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (appointed August 2005), focusing on trade relations and industrial development.
In addition to his ministerial roles, Chitala was a nominated Member of Parliament in 1991 and 2001 under the MMD.
Diplomatic Service
Chitala served as Zambia's Ambassador to Libya and was concurrently accredited to Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Mauritania, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Polisario Republic). In this capacity, he worked to strengthen Zambia's diplomatic ties with these nations.
Academic and Professional Endeavors
Beyond his political and diplomatic engagements, Chitala has been active in academia and the private sector. He lectured on public finance administration at the University of Zambia and served as an investment and finance adviser at Comcapital Securities Ltd. He also founded Pan African Radio 105.1FM and held directorships in various private companies.
Publications and Commentary
Chitala is known for his analyses of Zambia's economic and political affairs. In 2022, he published a book titled Corporate Capture: The Political Economy of Electricity Management in Zambia, which sparked significant public discourse and controversy.
Personal Life
Chitala is married and enjoys activities such as chess, golf, squash, reading, and making friends.