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ECZ Clears 2025 Script Marking Payments

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Dr. Chilala says, the payments reflect ECZ’s commitment to financial accountability By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia, 13th February 2026 — The Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) has cleared payments for the 2025 School Certificate (SC) examination script marking, disbursing a total of K20,895,673.42 to 3,470 examiners. ECZ Executive Director Dr. Michael M. Chilala told journalists that the payments, made on 12th February 2026, followed successful processing and validation of claim forms submitted by the markers. Dr. Chilala said the payments cover the marking of SC examination scripts conducted between 18th December 2025 and 4th January 2026. He emphasized that the timely disbursement of over K20.8 million demonstrates ECZ’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations to examiners. He further advised markers who may not have received their payments to contact ECZ for corrective action. Dr. Chilala thanked the markers and other stakeholders for their support, noting that their ...
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OTM Award Boosts Zambia Tourism

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Sikumba says the recognition in India Signals Strong Asian Market Potential By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 -- (13 February 2026) -- The Zambia Tourism Agency has officially handed over the prestigious “Most Promising New Destination Award” won at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in Mumbai, India, in a move government says will boost Zambia’s tourism sector and strengthen its presence in the Asian market. The trophy was received by Minister of Tourism, Honourable Rodney Sikumba, during a media engagement in Lusaka. Speaking at the event, Sikumba said the award confirms Zambia’s growing competitiveness on the global tourism stage and reflects increasing international confidence in the country’s tourism offerings. “The award is not just a title; it demonstrates Zambia’s rising status as a destination.  Even capturing a small share of international travelers would significantly boost our tourism numbers,” he said. He said key markets such as India, the United States, Europe, and Japan...
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Agencies Target Substandard Goods

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Improved labs key to consumer protection By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia — February 13, 2026 The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) say strengthening laboratory testing capacity is critical in targeting substandard goods and protecting consumers. Speaking in Lusaka on Thursday when he paid a courtesy call on NISIR Acting Director Alick Muvundika, ZCSA Executive Director Gerald Chizinga said improved laboratory infrastructure and efficient testing services are necessary for the Agency to effectively enforce compulsory standards. Mr. Chizinga said ZCSA’s mandate under the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017 requires the Agency to ensure that products on the market comply with set standards in order to safeguard public health, safety and fair trade. He noted that the number of products under compulsory standards has increased from 61 in early 2025 to 102 currently, placing greater demand on laboratory ...
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Better Water, Hygiene for Schools

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Government and NGO collaboration to safeguard student health and learning By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 – 12th February 2026 The Government of Zambia has partnered with international NGO Splash to improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in urban schools.  The initiative is aimed at providing better water and hygiene facilities to safeguard the health and learning environment of students. Dr. Kelvin Mambwe, Permanent Secretary for Educational Services, said the partnership marks a milestone in strengthening learning environments. Dr. Mambwe welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a critical step toward achieving sustainable development goals and ensuring public investments deliver lasting benefits to communities, Dr. Mambwe added. “The signing of this MoU reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every child learns in a safe, healthy, and dignified environment,” Dr. Mambwe said. “The partnership will deliver measurable improvements in scho...
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Public to Vote in Radio Awards

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Provincial and national categories structured for fairness By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24, (February 12, 2026) — Members of the public will play a central role in determining winners of the newly launched Radio Excellence Awards, an annual initiative aimed at recognising outstanding performers in Zambia’s broadcasting sector. Radio Excellence Limited officially unveiled the Awards today, with voting opening on February 12 and closing on August 31, 2026. The Awards Gala is scheduled to take place in September 2026. Speaking at the launch, Dr. Brenda Bukowa said the initiative is designed to celebrate excellence and strengthen professionalism in radio broadcasting. Dr. Bukowa said radio remains one of the most accessible and affordable forms of communication in terms of production, access and ownership, and continues to inform, educate and connect communities across the country. She explained that voting will be conducted through the official website, www.radioxawards.com�, at...
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Progress Despite CPI Drop

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Mweetwa says, Swift legal action and convictions and asset forfeiture mark first-time progress, restores public confidence By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia — Government has acknowledged Zambia’s drop on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) but insists that significant progress has been made in prosecuting corruption cases and recovering stolen assets. Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said the government takes the Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) report seriously. He emphasized that concluding corruption cases is critical to restoring public trust. “It is very important that corruption legal proceedings are concluded,” Mweetwa said. He noted that in the past, some corruption cases dragged on for decades, with certain matters dating back to 2003 only concluding after 2021. “Citizens lost confidence because it appeared to be arrests without convictions,” he added. Mweetwa said the current administration has c...
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BoZ Cuts Policy Rate to 13.5%

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Sharp decline in inflation and improved outlook prompt easing of monetary policy By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia — February 10, 2026 The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has reduced the Monetary Policy Rate by 75 basis points to 13.5 percent following the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held on February 9–10, 2026, the central bank announced. Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Denny Kalyalya told journalists at the media briefing that the decision was informed by the sustained decline in inflation in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the sharper-than-anticipated fall recorded in January 2026, which provided scope to ease the monetary policy stance. Dr. Kalyalya said annual inflation slowed to 11.2 percent in December 2025 from 12.3 percent in September 2025, before dropping further to 9.4 percent in January 2026, largely driven by the continued effects of the 2024/25 maize bumper harvest and the appreciation of the Kwacha against major international currencies. He said the Bank now projects ...
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