As reported by the New York Times in the article “Climate Change Hits Hard in Zambia, an African Success Story”, the country has been affected by climate change due to droughts but environmentalists report that the Kariba Dam remains steady. The dam is known to be of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams that provide the country with electricity.

The Kariba Dam has contributed to the country’s economy and political stability becoming as they continue to be one of the fastest growing economies in the continent. Unfortunately, due to droughts, the water levels have hit record lows. In the past, the Kariba even provided electricity to neighbor countries but the reserves are not enough for Zambia. This has affected the stability of the country and they are now struggling to pay their civil servants.

Due to power cuts, companies such as Good Time Steel, the biggest steel maker in the country, lost a third of its production capacity. Jacky Huang, a manager at the company, explains that the company has recently abandoned new projects due to the conditions of the country.

Zambia is only of the many countries in Africa whose economic stability is being affected by climate change. Many say the continent is not ready for the climate changes and Africa is expected to warm up faster than the rest of the world. Zambia is starting to see the economic damage as small and large business are being affected due to the Kariba Dam shortages.