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CSEIFZ Warns Against Attacks on ECZ Ahead of 2026 Polls

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Civil society body urges political parties, media and observers to promote respect, peace and credible elections By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 - (16-05--2026) - The Civil Society Election Integrity Forum of Zambia (CSEIFZ) has cautioned political parties and stakeholders against what it described as growing attacks on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), saying undermining the electoral body threatens the credibility of Zambia’s democratic process ahead of the 2026 general elections. CSEIFZ Chairperson Solomon Ngoma told Zambia24 that no political party or candidate should participate in elections while simultaneously insulting or discrediting the Commission responsible for managing the process. Ngoma said branding ECZ commissioners as “UPND cadres” without evidence was reckless and risked eroding public trust in elections. “The Commissioners at ECZ are not political cadres. They are officials appointed to protect and manage the electoral process,” he said. He wa...
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Women Must Get Winnable Seats

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NGOCC demamds that political parties to honour pledges on female representation ahead of the 2026 general elections as adoption processes intensify. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  -- (16-05-2026) -- The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has called on political parties to ensure that women are adopted in constituencies where they stand a realistic chance of winning, warning that continued placement of female candidates in unwinnable seats undermines genuine political inclusion. NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe told Zambia24 that political parties must honour commitments they made to increase women’s participation in elective positions by ensuring that at least 30 percent of adopted candidates are women. Katebe said political parties are currently conducting candidate adoptions ahead of the nomination process and urged them to carry out the exercise in a transparent and fair manner as the country heads towards the August 13, 2026 Gene...
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Safety Fears for Persons With Albinism

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ZAA Calls for Stronger Protection Measures Amid Alleged Exploitation, Weak Coordination, and Service Delivery Gaps By Francis Maingaila  Lusaka, Zambia24  - (15-05-2026) -- Safety fears for persons with albinism in Zambia have intensified following fresh concerns raised by the Zambian Albinism Alliance (ZAA) over protection gaps, weak service delivery systems, and alleged unauthorised activities involving foreign nationals targeting vulnerable communities. The Zambian Albinism Alliance (ZAA) Vice President Blessings Mbalashe said persons with albinism in Zambia continue to face serious protection, inclusion, and healthcare challenges despite existing government policies and international commitments aimed at safeguarding their rights and wellbeing. Dr. Mbalashe told journalists during a media briefing that weak implementation of policies and inadequate institutional support continue to expose many persons with albinism to danger, discrimination, and exclusion from essential services...
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Zambia Health Registry Goes Digital

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UNFPA donates digital equipment to modernise records management and improve efficiency in the Ministry of Health By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (15-05-2026) --- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has handed over digital equipment to the Government of the Republic of Zambia to support the digitalisation of the Ministry of Health Registry Unit and improve records management systems. Speaking during the handover ceremony, UNFPA Country Representative for Zambia, Mr Seth Broekman, said the intervention is a practical step towards modernising information management within the Ministry of Health and strengthening service delivery systems. Mr Broekman said the ministry has for many years relied on paper-based systems, which have led to challenges in document storage, retrieval, and information flow. He noted that physical records are also vulnerable to loss, damage, and deterioration over time, making it difficult to maintain efficient administrative systems. He s...
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PPP to Transform Zambia Standards Sector

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ZABS and ACIA sign agreement to strengthen certification, boost exports, and support industrial growth By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24  -- (14-05-2026) -- The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) and the African Certification Inspection Agency (ACIA) Zambia Limited have signed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Agreement aimed at transforming Zambia’s standards and certification sector to boost exports, industrialisation and job creation. According to a statement issued by ZABS Senior Communications Officer Ms. Lupiya Mazunda, the agreement was signed at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning headquarters in Lusaka during a ceremony officiated by Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane. Dr. Musokotwane said the partnership will help Zambian products compete better in export markets by improving compliance with recognised standards. He said it will also support economic growth, job creation and the goals of the Eighth National Development Plan. Comm...
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New Initiative Promotes Safer Farming Practices

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ZASAA and Miss Agriculture Zambia Sign Three-Year Safety Partnership to Strengthen Occupational Health in Agriculture By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  ---(13-05-2026) -- The Zambia Safety Awards for Excellence and Miss Agriculture Zambia have launched a new initiative to promote safer farming practices under a three-year Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening occupational health and safety in Zambia’s agricultural sector. The agreement, signed in Lusaka on Tuesday, brings together the and in a coordinated effort to enhance safety awareness, training, and advocacy across farming communities. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Zambia’s economy, supporting livelihoods, employment, and food security. However, the sector continues to face occupational risks, including chemical exposure, unsafe handling of agro-inputs, machinery-related injuries, fire incidents, and medical emergencies, particularly in rural areas where safety systems are often limited. Under the...
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Stable Inflation, Strong Kwacha Drive Shift

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Bank of Zambia cuts policy rate to 13.25% as inflation returns to target band and economic conditions improve. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (13-05-2026) -- Zambia’s economy is stabilising and showing clear improvement, especially on inflation and the exchange rate, which has allowed the Bank of Zambia to slightly reduce interest rates to support economic activity. Bank of Zambia Governor said inflation has declined sharply and is now firmly within the target range, supporting the policy decision to ease the Monetary Policy Rate. Dr. Kalyalya said inflation fell to 7.1 percent in March 2026 , down from 11.2 percent in December 2025 , and further eased to 6.8 percent in April 2026 , remaining within the 6–8 percent target band . He said inflation averaged about 7.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026 , compared to 11.2 percent in the last quarter of 2025 , reflecting a clear disinflation trend. Dr. Kalyalya said the decline was mainly driven by base effects in mai...
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