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KEEP POLITICS OUT OF PUBLIC SERVICE

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Hikaumba urges public workers to prioritise professionalism, merit-based promotions and national development under the Grow Zambia Agenda. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 10-10-2026 — MDC Vice President and former Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba has urged public service workers to keep politics out of their official duties and focus on delivering quality services to Zambians. Hikaumba said the success of the Grow Zambia Agenda championed by President Hakainde Hichilema depended on how effectively public institutions implemented government policies and delivered services to citizens. He said teachers, health workers, agricultural officers, engineers and other public servants played a vital role in national development through their daily work. In a statement, Hikaumba said his call was not for public workers to show political allegiance but to commit themselves to national progress and effective service delivery. “This call is not abou...
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CSPR WARNS IMF DEAL MUST NOT DEEPEN HOUSEHOLD POVERTY

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Civil society body raises concern over K212.2 billion debt servicing burden, urges protection of social spending and jobs By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 10-10-2026 — The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has warned the Government against negotiating an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme that prioritises economic stability at the expense of household welfare, warning that high debt servicing costs could limit resources available for social protection and development. CSPR Executive Director Isabel Mutembo Mukelabai said the successor Extended Credit Facility programme should shift Zambia’s focus from economic stabilisation towards inclusive growth, job creation, improved household incomes and measurable poverty reduction. In a statement responding to the commencement of discussions between the Government and the IMF on a new programme, Ms Mukelabai welcomed the talks but said their success should be measured by improvements in the lives of ordinary Zambians...
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WIDOWS TURN TO E-COMMERCE FOR INCOME

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HOPe Africa, Zambia Diaspora Chamber and Lubaud Digital Mart partner to create income-generating opportunities for residents of Umoyo Widows and Orphanage Centre. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 10 October 2026 — Widows at the Umoyo Widows and Orphanage Centre in Lusaka are being integrated into e-commerce and delivery operations under a partnership between HOPe Africa, the Zambia Diaspora Chamber of Commerce (ZDCC) and logistics company Lubaud Digital Mart. The initiative seeks to help the women earn supplementary income through sorting goods, inspecting inventory, coordinating deliveries and serving as authorised agents, linking humanitarian support with opportunities for economic independence. HOPe Africa Executive Director Dr Francis Fagjot John said the partnership formed part of the organisation’s broader humanitarian work aimed at connecting communities in Zambia and the United States through service, collaboration and sustainable development. The arrangement f...
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SEEDS AVAILABLE, MARKETS MISSING

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Farmers urge Government to open FRA to indigenous crops as drought fears, declining traditional varieties and weak market links threaten food security and rural livelihoods. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 9 October 2026 — Farmers growing indigenous crops have called on the Government to open up the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) market to traditional foods, saying the lack of reliable buyers is discouraging production and threatening the survival of local crop varieties. Speaking during the food fair and exhibition organised by the Zambia Governance Forum (ZGF) at Government Complex in Lusaka, farmers said limited market access was forcing many indigenous crop growers to produce only enough for household consumption. “We need better access to traditional seeds and reliable markets to encourage increased production, preserve local crop varieties and strengthen Zambia’s food security,” the farmers said. The farmers’ concern is that producing a crop without knowing where to s...
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ZASAA SEEKS K1.6 MILLION FOR CHAINAMA WARDS

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Mwamba appeals for government and private sector support as organisation adopts two mental health wards for refurbishment. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 9 October 2026 — The Zambia Safety Awards for Excellence (ZASAA) is seeking between K1.5 million and K1.6 million to refurbish two mental health wards at Chainama Hills College Hospital, with its founder and chief executive officer, Hellen Mwamba, appealing to the government and private sector to support the initiative. Ms Mwamba said the organisation had adopted the two wards and was mobilising resources through its World Mental Health Day charity golf tournament held at Chainama Golf Club in Lusaka on Friday. She said ZASAA had identified workplace stress and mental health as issues requiring greater attention, adding that proceeds from the organisation's inaugural safety awards held in March had also contributed to the project. Ms Mwamba said the refurbishment was intended to provide patients receiving mental ...
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BEFORE YOU SIGN, SHOW US THE DEAL

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AIPAC urges government to publish revised US health MoU, saying citizens deserve to know the terms of a billion-dollar agreement before Zambia commits itself By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 8-10-2026 — The Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC) has challenged government to make public the proposed billion-dollar health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States before signing the agreement. AIPAC Executive Director Solomon Ngoma says the call follows government’s renewed intention to reconsider the agreement months after it had rejected the earlier proposal over conditions that raised serious concerns. Mr. Ngoma told Zambia24 in an exclusive statement that government should explain what has changed between the original agreement and the version now being reconsidered, particularly on provisions that could have implications for Zambia’s sovereignty, natural resources and citizens’ privacy. He said AIPAC was concerned about conditions previousl...
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NGOCC WANTS GENDER EQUALITY AT HEART OF GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA

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Gender lobby wants President Hichilema to address women’s economic opportunities, GBV, education and energy security when he opens new Parliament By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 7 October 2026 — The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) wants President Hakainde Hichilema to place women and girls at the centre of the Government’s development priorities when he opens the First Session of the Fourteenth National Assembly on Friday. NGOCC Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the organisation expects the President to explain how women and girls will benefit from the 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 Grow Zambia Agenda. Ms Katebe said economic growth would only have meaning if its benefits reached all citizens. “Growth only means something if all citizens, especially women and girls, share in it both in intent and practice,” she said. NGOCC said women produce much of Zambia’s food but continue to face challenges in accessing land, finance, irrigation and markets. The organ...
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