Dr Banda is Chairman of Corporate Resources International, a natural resource (minerals) and infrastructural investment advisory firm. He has extensive experience in government having worked in the civil service for seven years. From February 2000 till February 2007, Dr Banda was Economic Advisor to the President of Zambia.
His main responsibilities included analysing economic reports, rendering advice/opinion on policy matters, coordinating the work of economic ministries and institutions, ensuring that government remains on course on economic policies, providing oversight on the improvement of the investment climate, as well as facilitating dialogue between government and the private sector (both local and foreign). He also co-chaired the Steering Committees of the Private Sector Development Programme and the Zambia Business Forum.
Between 2000 and 2002, Dr Banda served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. In this capacity, he formulated and provided oversight over policies on investment, internal and international trade, and competitiveness of the Zambian industry. He also provided administrative and technical support on the identification and disposal of state-owned enterprises earmarked for privatisation. He led government technical teams in trade negotiations and gave advice to ministers on balancing the needs of industry whilst maintaining price stability.
Prior to his position at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Dr Banda founded and ran an economic and engineering consulting firm (1985-2000) focusing on infrastructure projects involved in natural resources, agriculture, and public works projects such as water reticulation systems and rural roads and bridge design and supervision. He also held the position of Chief Economist at the Zambia National Commercial Bank (1987-1995) and lectured in agricultural economics at the University of Zambia (1985-1987). Dr. Banda completed his PhD at the School of Engineering Science, Edinburgh University, in 1985.
