Zambia Monitor
Business, governance and policy reporting.
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Politics
Election petitions in Zambia: will the courts follow the law or the convenience of the moment-by Isaac Mwanza
Following the 13 August 2026 General Elections, Zambia is once again entering the familiar territory of election petitions. Several losing opposition candidates have already approached the courts challenging the results declared by the Electoral Commission of Zambia. More strikingly, more than 20 UPND candidates have…
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Crime & Courts
U.S congressman calls for due process, transparency in Zambia’s post-election disputes
U.S. Representative, Gregory Weldon Meeks, has called on the Zambian government to allow the courts to hear legal challenges to the results of the August 13 elections, saying judicial review was critical to protecting the country’s democratic credibility. He said the United States must press…
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Business
US EXIM reopens short-term trade financing facilities for Zambia
The United States Export-Import Bank (US EXIM) has reopened credit and insurance facilities for short-term trade transactions involving Zambia’s private sector, the Zambian Embassy in Washington said. The development follows the amendment of the bank’s Country Limitation Schedule (CLS), allowing US EXIM to consider financing…
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Crime & Courts
Lusaka court jails customs official two years over K70,000 bribe
The Lusaka Subordinate Court has convicted and sentenced Mukanta Shapi, Head of Department–Customs at Mwaka Freight Cargo, to two (2) years’ simple imprisonment for offering a K70,000 bribe to an officer. Shapi offered the bribe to officer from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife…
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Sport
Isak fires Liverpool to first win as Ipswich fall 0-2
Alexander Isak struck twice in the opening 10 minutes as Liverpool delivered a first win for new manager Andoni Iraola with a 2-0 victory at Ipswich on Friday. Isak’s Premier League record £125 million ($169 million) move from Newcastle was matched this week by Manchester…
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Politics
Party leader, M’membe, faults Zambian govt move to strip opposition leader of country’s nationality
Socialist Party leader, Fred M’membe, has accused the government of “foreignising” political opponents following its decision to cancel the National Registration Card (NRC) and passport of Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance Secretary General, Celestine Mukandila. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security on Friday issued a Government…
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Crime & Courts
Tonse/Pamodzi official, Mukandila, denied Zambian citizenship; NRC, Passport cancelled by govt
The Zambian government has cancelled and invalidated the National Registration Card (NRC) and passport of Lusaka lawyer and Tonse/Pamodzi Alliance Secretary General Celestine Mukandila, citing alleged fraud, false declaration and misrepresentation. According to Government Gazette Notice No. 1418 of 2026, published on Friday, Mukandila’s NRC…
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Lifestyle
Chitimukulu cancels Ukusefya-Pa Ng’wena Bemba traditional ceremony, cites ‘prevailing mood’
Paramount Chief, Chitimukulu, has announced the cancellation of 2026 Ukusefya-Pa Ng’wena Bemba traditional ceremony citing the ‘prevailing mood’ to allow for celebrations of that nature. Secretary to the Chitimukulu, Richard Mukuka, said in the statement on Friday that the 2026 ceremony had been pushed to…
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Crime & Courts
Zambia experiences 7% rise in gender-based violence, 10,881 cases recorded in Q2, 2026
Zambia recorded 10,881 Gender-Based Violence cases countrywide during the Second Quarter of 2026, marking a 7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, the Zambia Police Service announced on Friday. Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of criminal GBV cases at 1,696, accounting…
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Zambia
Again, Zambia reaffirms commitment to rule of law, says no political prisoners
The Zambian government has again reaffirmed its commitment to human rights and the rule of law, with the Office of the Attorney-General stating that there were no prisoners of conscience or political prisoners in the country. Acting Attorney General, Marshal Muchende, was responding to concerns…
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Technology
Reckless driving incidents fall by 38% across Africa, new Yango ride safety report finds
Yango Ride, a ride-hailing service and part of the global tech company Yango Group, has published regional findings from its 2024–2025 Safety Report, documenting the technology and support systems that make mobility experience safer for passengers and partner drivers across Africa. During 2024–2025, the implementation…
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Health
Institute claims Zambia’s capacity to detect, respond to disease outbreaks enhanced
The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) has said that the country has enhanced its capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks before they spread across the country. ZNPHI Director General, Professor Roma Chilengi, said the country had avoided major disease outbreaks in the…
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Politics
Transparency International Zambia calls for stronger anti-corruption pus
Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) says the fight against corruption appears to have lost prominence in the UPND’s second-term agenda despite President Hakainde Hichilema’s pledge to intensify the campaign against the vice. In a statement issued on Friday, TI-Z Executive Director, Maurice Nyambe, said the President’s…
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Business
Zambia Revenue Authority eyes K203.6 billion through compliance drive
The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) could raise its 2026 revenue collections by K34 billion to K203.6 billion if taxpayer compliance improves by 20 percent, Commissioner General Dingani Banda has said. Banda said ZRA was currently projected to collect K169.6 billion by the end of 2026…
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Business
Govt urges strategic investment to transform Zambia’s agri-food systems
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary, Dr. Max Choombe, has called for increased private-sector investment in Zambia’s agri-food systems, saying the country must move beyond primary production. Speaking while leading the Zambian Government delegation to the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda…
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Politics
Kalaba accuses UPND govt of selective justice, rising political intolerance
Citizens First (CF) party President Harry Kalaba has strongly condemned alleged selective application of the law and rising political intolerance under the leadership of the United Party for National Development (UPND). Kalaba stated that it was deeply concerning that the UPND leadership had turned to…
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Politics
Institute questions legal basis of ECZ’s Mandevu fresh poll, warns of damage to public trust
Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre has questioned the legal basis of the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s decision to hold fresh Parliamentary elections in Mandevu Constituency without first announcing results already in its possession. Institute Executive Director, Solomon Ngoma, warned that the Commission’s move could…
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Business
Construction begins on 10 megawatts Mwandi solar plant, over 4,000 households to benefit
Construction has begun on an $8 million solar power plant in Zambia’s Western Province, with the facility expected to add 10 megawatts of electricity to the national grid when completed, Lunzua Power Company Limited and Valinor Investments Limited said on Thursday. The solar photovoltaic plant…
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Crime & Courts
Court orders State to produce Tonse/Pamodzi secretary general, Mukandila
The Lusaka High Court has ordered the State to produce Tonse/Pamodzi Alliance Secretary General Celestin Mukandila before the court and show cause why he should not be released from detention. High Court Judge Mwila Kombe issued the order on Thursday after granting leave for the…
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Crime & Courts
Nine-year-old boy drowns in Milenge river
A nine-year-old boy has drowned in the Lwela River in Milenge District after the canoe he was using while fishing with a 10-year-old friend capsized due to strong currents, police said. Luapula Police Commanding Officer, Lucky Munkhondya, said the incident occurred on Aug. 30 between…
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Crime & Courts
Seven arrested over murder of 17-year-old motorbike rider in Solwezi
Zambia Police have arrested seven people in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old motorbike rider whose body was found in the Forestry Farming Block area, about 15 km from Solwezi town, police said on Thursday. Police said the incident occurred on Aug. 25 between…
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Zambia
Kitwe council impounds 101 vehicles in crackdown on road offences
Kitwe City Council says it has impounded 101 vehicles since Aug. 28 for offences including operating unauthorised taxis, illegal loading and unloading, littering from moving vehicles and improper parking, the local authority said. Council Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Lupikisha, said enforcement had been intensified against…
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Crime & Courts
How Africa can accelerate intra-African trade momentum, by Kanayo Awani
Boosting trade flows amongst African countries remains a key economic priority. There is significant opportunity to accelerate the growing intra-African trade in order to unlock investment, catalyse industrialisation, especially processing and adding value to our natural resources. According to the Africa in Figures 2025 report…
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Sport
Queiroz returns as Ghana Coach
Carlos Queiroz has been reappointed as Ghana coach, just two months after stepping down following the country’s FIFA World Cup campaign. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced yesterday that the 73-year-old Portuguese coach would begin a new coaching mandate during the upcoming international window, although…
