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GOVT PUSHES FOR FASTER RURAL ELECTRICITY ACCESS

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Kapala calls for urgent clearance of electricity connection delays, stronger REA capacity and increased private-sector investment as the authority targets 74.4 per cent rural electricity access by 2030. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — November 10, 2026 — The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) wants electricity to reach rural households faster, with priority given to customers who have already paid and communities still waiting to be connected. Minister of Electricity Eng. Peter Kapala said during a familiarisation tour of the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) headquarters in Lusaka that some customers who have already paid for electricity connections have been waiting for almost a year to receive the service, prompting calls for urgent action to clear the backlog and ensure that households and businesses get the power they have paid for. Kapala called for a deliberate strategy to clear the outstanding connections, stressing that customers who had already paid sho...
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ZCSA OPENS DOORS TO EXPORT MARKETS

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Chizinga says internationally recognised certification will help compliant Zambian products compete beyond the country's borders while protecting consumers from substandard goods. By Francis Maingaila ❤️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — November 10, 2026 - Zambia’s ambition to grow exports will depend not only on producing more goods but also on ensuring that locally manufactured products meet the quality and safety standards demanded by international markets, the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has said. According to a statement issued by Brian Hatyoka, Manager – Communications and Public Relations at ZCSA, the Agency's mandate to inspect and test products against compulsory standards is central to helping Zambian manufacturers meet the requirements of international markets. ZCSA Executive Director Gerald Chizinga said certificates issued by the Agency enjoyed international recognition, allowing compliant products to access markets without repeated inspections and testing in ...
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ZAMBIA EYES 20,000MW POWER CAPACITY

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Kapala questions delays in power projects as ERB says approved investments could push planned capacity towards 20,000MW, with another 10,500MW expected by 2027. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — November 9, 2026 — Zambia's ambition to become a major electricity producer is gaining momentum, with approved power projects potentially pushing the country's planned generation capacity towards 20,000 megawatts (MW) with the new Minister of Electricity  Eng. Peter Kapala urging the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to push developers to move faster and turn their investment plans into actual power projects. Speaking during his familiarisation tour of the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) headquarters on Monday afternoon, Eng. Peter Kapala, Minister of Electricity, questioned why some developers were taking so long to move their projects towards financial close, despite the number of investments announced in the sector. Mr Kapala said Government needed to establish the progress of pro...
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ZAMBIA STRIVES TO BRIDGE DIGITAL GAP

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Mutati identifies five priorities, including digital identity, connected government systems, artificial intelligence, infrastructure and digital skills, to ensure technology delivers real benefits to citizens and businesses. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — November 9, 2026 — Zambia’s digital transformation must move beyond plans, infrastructure and technology investments to deliver real, measurable benefits to ordinary citizens and businesses. Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati says the success of the country's digital transformation must be measured by how much people and businesses benefit from technology, rather than simply the infrastructure and systems government puts in place. Speaking during the dissemination of the 2025 National Survey on Access and Usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by Households and Individuals, Mr Mutati outlined five priorities that will guide Zambia's digital transformation over the next five years. He i...
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NUPPEZ QUESTIONS EDUCATION FUNDING

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Union says K38.24 billion allocation falls short of the expected 20 percent benchmark and raises concern over the absence of a clear provision for recruiting 40,000 teachers in 2027. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — November 8, 2026 — The National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ) says the increased allocation to education in the 2027 National Budget is welcome but remains inadequate to meet the growing demands of a sector under pressure from rising enrolment, inadequate infrastructure and the need for more teachers. NUPPEZ Executive President Charity Kampamba told Zambia24 that the allocation of K38.24 billion, representing 13.4 percent of the national budget, fell short of the union's expectation that Government should commit at least 20 percent of national expenditure to education in line with internationally recognised financing benchmarks. Dr Kampamba said the increase from K33.04 billion, representing 13 percent of the 2026 budget, was en...
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2027 BUDGET LEAVES WOMEN BEHIND

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NGOCC welcomes increased social spending but warns that inadequate funding for education, health and social protection, rising taxes and lack of support for gender-based violence programmes threaten women’s welfare. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — November 8, 2026 — The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has warned that Zambia’s K284.8 billion 2027 National Budget risks leaving marginalised women and girls behind, saying the proposed spending does not adequately address the challenges they face. According to NGOCC Executive Director Anne Mbewe-Anamela, the organisation welcomes improvements in selected social sector allocations but remains concerned that the budget falls short of regional and international commitments on education, health, agriculture and social protection. Mbewe-Anamela told Zambia24 that the budget, presented to Parliament by Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane on Friday, November 6, should be...
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15 COPS GAIN DIGITAL FORENSICS SKILLS

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  Zambia Police strengthens its cybercrime investigation capacity as 15 officers complete specialised training at ICU, equipping them with digital forensic skills to tackle sophisticated technology-driven crimes and improve the handling of electronic evidence. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — November 6, 2026 — The Zambia Police Service is stepping up efforts to fight sophisticated modern crime by investing in specialised digital forensic skills, technology and professional training to help investigators keep pace with criminals increasingly exploiting the digital world. Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba said the graduation of 15 police officers who completed specialised digital forensics training at Information and Communications University (ICU) marked an important step in preparing law enforcement officers to tackle increasingly sophisticated crimes committed through digital platforms and emerging technologies. The training equipped the officers with skills ...
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