Zambia Monitor
Business, governance and policy reporting.
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Business
Afreximbank, DBSA to commit about $10 million for Southern Africa projects
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) have agreed to contribute up to US$10 million to a joint facility to prepare high-impact infrastructure and industrial projects in South Africa and the wider Southern African region. The Joint Project Preparation…
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Business
Muchinga official urges community ownership of K3 million irrigation infrastructure
Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Dr Tuesday Bwalya, has urged communities benefiting from the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD) Phase One and Two projects to take ownership of infrastructure financed under the programme. Bwalya made the call during a tour of TRALARD II sites…
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Business
Copper experiences continuous gain as Chinese demand offsets U.S. pressure
Copper prices are heading for an 11th weekly gain in the past 12 weeks, trading around $14,460 a tonne as stronger Chinese demand and signs of tightening supply offset pressure from a more hawkish U.S. Federal Reserve. According to Access Bank Group, the latest gains…
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Zambia
US says Zambia remains priority partner, backs modernisation of military
The United States has reaffirmed Zambia’s status as a priority partner and said it was ready to deepen defence and security cooperation, including support for the modernisation of the Zambian military. Executive Director to the Deputy Under Secretary of the United States Air Force for…
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Business
World Bank awaits Zambian govt’s nod for proposed $102 million forestry programme
The World Bank is ready to begin preparing a proposed $102 million programme to develop Zambia’s plantation forestry sector, subject to a formal request from the government, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment said. The proposed Lobito Plantation Forest Economy Programme aims to promote…
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Business
KCM, China NERIN strike $498 million deal to build copper tailings leach plant
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has awarded China NERIN Engineering Company Ltd a US$498 million contract to build a 70,000-tonne-per-year tailings leach plant in Chingola, the mining company said on Wednesday. The plant will recover copper from existing tailings and is expected to support mine’s production…
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Business
Zambia’s energy regulator approves licences, permits tied to K1 billion investment
Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has approved 33 licence applications, three construction permits and various licence amendments representing an investment commitment of about 1.0 billion Kwacha ($50.9 million), the regulator said on Wednesday. The approvals were granted at the ERB Licensing Committee meeting held on…
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Business
Zambia extends tax amnesty to boost compliance, revenue as ZRA pays K21.2bn in VAT refunds
Zambia has launched an extended tax amnesty offering eligible taxpayers relief from penalties and interest as the government seeks to improve compliance and strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation. The Extended Voluntary Disclosure Programme, running from Sept. 17 to Dec. 31, 2026, allows eligible taxpayers to voluntarily…
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Crime & Courts
‘We are shocked,’ EU calls for speedy probe into Kafwaya shooting, transparency in Zambia treason trial
The European Union’s chief observer for Zambia’s 2026 elections has expressed shock over developments following the election, calling for a speedy and transparent investigation into the fatal shooting of former cabinet minister, Mutotwe Kafwaya, and due process in treason proceedings against opposition figures. Michael McNamara…
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Business
Muchinga official warns FRA against favouring foreign maize suppliers
Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Tuesday Bwalya, has warned Food Reserve Agency (FRA) depot clerks against prioritising foreign nationals in maize purchases, saying the practice undermines local small-scale farmers. Bwalya expressed concern over reports that some FRA depot clerks in Isoka and Nakonde had been buying…
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Education
Over 18,000 fail to secure a pass in one subject as Zambia confirms 85.63% success in 2026 GCE exams
A total of 112,640 candidates passed Zambia’s 2026 General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations, representing 85.63% of those who sat the exams, Education Minister Gilbert Siame said on Thursday. Siame said 140,938 candidates had entered for the examinations, comprising 43,488 males and 97,450 females. Speaking…
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Business
Policy centre calls for environmental safeguards in Grow Zambia plan
Zambia’s Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has called for binding environmental safeguards under the government’s Grow Zambia Agenda, saying mining-led growth could create long-term public liabilities if environmental risks were not properly managed. CTPD Lead Researcher for Land, Environment and Climate Change, Solomon…
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Africa & World
Ninth woman’s body found in South Africa as Ekurhuleni killings investigated
South African police have discovered the body of a ninth woman in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, as investigators probe a series of women’s deaths reported across the area since July. The latest victim was found partially naked and wrapped in a sheet in Dawn Park…
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Business
Zambia’s Kwacha weakens as dollar demand outpaces supply
Zambia’s Kwacha extended its losses against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday as increased demand for foreign currency outweighed relatively modest supply on the market. According to Absa Bank Zambia’s daily market commentary, the USD/ZMW pair opened at K19.5500/19.9018 before the Kwacha shed 2.5 ngwee to…
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Business
Zambia’s Finance Minister, Musokotwane, orders revenue collection drive
Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, has directed the Ministry to intensify revenue collection by improving tax compliance, enforcement and efficiency across existing revenue streams. Musokotwane said Zambia needed to maximise revenue from both tax and non-tax sources while closing loopholes through which public…
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Crime & Courts
21-year-old arrested over suspected theft of goods from trucks in Kitwe
Police in Kitwe have arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of stealing goods from trucks following a follow-up operation involving police officers and members of the Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU). Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner, Rae Hamoonga, said the matter was initially reported at Kitwe Central…
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Zambia
Seven international legal bodies raise rule-of-law concerns over aftermath of Zambia election
Seven international legal organisations have raised concerns over the rule of law in Zambia following developments surrounding the Aug. 13 general election, citing alleged restrictions on access to justice, security-force conduct and pressure on lawyers handling election-related cases. The organisations are the International Bar Association’s…
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Crime & Courts
Police open inquiry into suspected suicide of Luwingu headman
Police in Northern Province have opened an inquiry into the suspected suicide of a 62-year-old headman in Luwingu District following a village meeting over allegations that he was practising witchcraft. Northern Province Police Commanding Officer, Simunji Mulonda, said the incident occurred on Sept. 14 between…
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Crime & Courts
‘No political fights for me,’ Chitimukulu urges diplomacy amid criticisms over political silence
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu has called for diplomacy and prayer in addressing the country’s political tensions, saying he would not be drawn into political disputes despite criticism on social media over his silence on the arrest of opposition leaders. Speaking during the unveiling of the Crocodile…
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Lifestyle
Legendary Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs dies aged 84. Six things to remember about him
Olu Jacobs, one of Nigeria’s best known actors, whose career spanned several decades across theatre, television and film, has died at the age of 84. His wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, announced his death and asked for privacy while the family mourns. The BBC reports…
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Business
Ecobank Zambia commits K1.5 million to upgrade Bauleni Legacy Academy
Ecobank Zambia has committed about K1.5 million over the next three years to upgrade Bauleni Legacy Academy in Lusaka, with the investment targeting school infrastructure and learner development. The commitment was announced on Wednesday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ecobank Zambia…
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Business
Afreximbank, ZEP-RE join forces to build skills for Africa’s growing trade ecosystem
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company) have agreed to strengthen professional and institutional capacity in trade, insurance, reinsurance and risk management as Africa seeks to deepen cross-border commerce and investment. This is according to a statement issued on Wednesday. The three-year…
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Zambia
Economic regulation key to fair competition, aviation growth, Zambia CAA says
Economic regulation is critical to promoting fair competition, transparent market access and sustainable growth in Zambia’s aviation sector, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said on Wednesday. CAA Director General Captain, Derrick Luembe, said effective economic regulation would help create a level playing field for aviation…
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Crime & Courts
Relief for lawmaker Munthali, as police grants bond after health concerns in custody
Zambia’s police have granted Mafinga Member of Parliament Faith Munthali police bond after she was arrested and detained on criminal charges, following concerns over her health while in custody. Police Assistant Public Relations Officer, Timothy Malumo, said in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday…
