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‘Don’t Silence Women in Politics’

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Gender body says attacks against female candidates undermine efforts to increase women’s leadership and calls for issue-based campaigns ahead of August 13 elections By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  -- 1-08-2026 -- The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has warned political leaders against statements and actions that could silence women in politics, saying President Hakainde Hichilema’s remarks against independent Mwandi parliamentary aspirant Iris Kaingu risk undermining efforts to promote women’s participation in leadership and discourage young women from contesting elective positions. In a statement issued on Saturday, August 1, 2026, NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the organisation was concerned and disappointed by what it described as disparaging remarks made by President Hichilema against Ms. Kaingu during his campaign trail in Mwandi, Western Province. Ms. Katebe said the comments were particularly concerning because Ms. K...
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BoZ Cuts Reserve Ratio to Boost Lending

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Kalyalya says move will increase liquidity in banking sector as central bank defends financial regulations By Francis Maingaila LUSAKA, Zambia24 — 31 July 2026 — The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has reduced the statutory reserve ratio on Kwacha deposits from 26 percent to 21 percent, a move Governor Dr. Denny Kalyalya says will inject more liquidity into the banking system and give commercial banks greater capacity to support businesses and economic activity. Dr. Kalyalya said the adjustment, effective Monday, August 3, 2026, will allow banks to retain a larger share of their Kwacha deposits instead of keeping the funds as reserves with the central bank. He said the measure is expected to improve financial intermediation by creating more room for commercial banks to provide financing to productive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and small and medium enterprises. The Governor said the reduction applies to Kwacha deposits, including Government and Vostro deposits, while the sta...
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FREEDOM, SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

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As Government defends cyber laws as ZNBC embraces reforms while MISA pushes for stronger digital rights protection By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 -- (30-06-2026) -- Government has defended Zambia’s Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes laws, arguing that citizens’ rights in the digital space must be exercised with the same level of responsibility expected in everyday life. Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media Thabo Kawana, during the launch of the Digital Rights Report 2026 and the ZNBC Public Service Broadcaster Scorecard Report, Director for Press and Media Development Modern Mayembe said digital technologies had become central to Zambia’s economic growth, democratic participation, education, healthcare and national development. Mayembe said Government was committed to building a digitally empowered Zambia where citizens could freely access information, participate in the digital economy and express themselves in a safe and ...
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WOMEN LEFT BEHIND

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Declining number of female candidates exposes persistent barriers and failure by political parties to translate gender equality commitments into action ahead of the 2026 General Elections By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka , Zambia24 – 29-07-2026) - The Non-governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has blamed political parties for Zambia’s failure to achieve equal gender representation in decision-making spaces, warning that the declining number of women contesting key elective positions in the 2026 General Elections reflects persistent barriers to women’s political participation. Speaking during the release of a statement at Merica Zunga Hall in Lusaka on Tuesday, NGOCC Board Information and Publicity Secretary Leah Mitaba said the latest candidate nomination figures announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) paint a disappointing picture of gender inclusion ahead of the August 13, 2026 General Elections. Ms Mitaba said despite years of advocacy, const...
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Fuel Security

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Zambia Builds Bigger Reserves as Power Sector Records Major Expansion By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka , Zambia24 – 29-07-2026) - Zambia's fuel supply remains stable and secure, with adequate petroleum stocks, expanding storage facilities and plans for new pipelines aimed at protecting the country against future supply disruptions, the Ministry of Energy has assured. The assurance comes at a time when government says it is taking steps to ensure that fuel and electricity challenges experienced in recent years do not return, with new investments being made in petroleum storage, power generation and alternative energy sources. Permanent Secretary for Petroleum in the Ministry of Energy, Prof. Ephraim Mushifwa , said Zambia currently has enough petroleum stocks to meet demand, adding that supplies continue to come into the country daily. Prof. Mushifwa said 100 percent of petrol entering Zambia is currently transported by road , with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) managing the dis...
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Safe Products, Safer Zambia

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ZCSA tightens product safety checks and rewards journalists raising awareness on compulsory standards By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 - 28-07-2026 — The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has intensified its fight against unsafe products on the market, urging consumers to report suspicious goods as it strengthens inspections to protect public health, safety and the environment. Speaking during the agency’s mid-year breakfast media briefing and the unveiling of winners of the 3rd ZCSA Media Awards in Lusaka, ZCSA Executive Director Gerald Chizinga said the agency would continue strengthening monitoring of locally manufactured and imported products to ensure only safe and compliant goods reach consumers. Mr Chizinga said ZCSA currently regulates 102 locally manufactured and imported products under compulsory standards covering food products, beverages, chemicals, construction materials, electrical appliances, cement, fertilisers, fuel, used motor vehicles and used textile...
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Voter Data Storm

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TI-Z warns alleged collection of voter details could scare citizens and weaken confidence in Zambia’s 2026 elections By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  -- (28-07-2026 -- Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has raised the alarm over reports that political operatives are allegedly collecting voters’ card numbers and National Registration Card (NRC) details, warning that the practice could leave citizens worried about whether their votes will remain secret. TI-Z Executive Director Maurice Nyambe told journalists that the organisation’s long-term election observation mission had received reports of the alleged data-collection exercise, with monitors currently working to verify the claims across the country. Mr. Nyambe said the reports had mentioned suspected involvement of members of the United Party for National Development (UPND), but stressed that TI-Z was still investigating the matter before making final conclusions. He said the concerns had emerged in several distri...
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