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Six Firms Lift Zambia’s Profile

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Regional awards boost country’s industrial reputation By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (27-03-2026) --- The (ZABS) says six local companies have lifted Zambia’s profile after scooping top honours at the held in . The awards, organised by the (SADC), recognise organisations and individuals advancing quality systems and processes in line with regional and international best practices. The recognition follows the companies’ strong performance at the Zambia National Quality Awards hosted by ZABS in November last year. The award-winning companies include , which won Company of the Year in the Large Enterprise category, and Soyalicious Instant Porridge by , which scooped Product of the Year in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) category. Also recognised was D’Iite Baby Cereal by , named first runner-up for Product of the Year in the Large Enterprise category. The secured first runner-up in the SME Service of the Year category. Meanwhile, was named first runner-up for...
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Delayed Procurement Threatens Services

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.. As Government and ZIPS urge local authorities to act swiftly to ensure timely delivery of public projects and development outcomes. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 – (26 March 2026 ) -- The Zambian government and the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) have warned that delayed procurement continues to threaten service delivery and national development, calling on procurement committees, particularly in local authorities, to act swiftly. Wisdom Bwalya, Permanent Secretary Special Duties at Cabinet, representing Patrick Kangwa, Secretary to the Cabinet, said at the 2026 Annual Procurement Committee Training Workshop hosted by ZIPS that local authorities, boards, and procurement committees must embrace timely and accountable decision-making. Bwalya noted that procurement delays remain a significant constraint across government institutions, state-owned enterprises, local authorities, and development partner-funded programs.bdx   “Projects are approved in prin...
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WOZA Unveils Leadership,

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... WOZA for the 4th republic Adopts Reform Agenda, Calls for United Opposition By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  -- (26-03-2026) --- ⁷3The We Are One Zambia Alliance (WOZA) for the 4th Republic has unveiled its leadership and adopted key governance and economic reform frameworks following a convention described by its leaders as transparent, inclusive and reflective of the will of the people. Speaking during a media briefing, WOZA Chairperson Sakwiba Sikota said the alliance took deliberate steps to ensure that its leadership was not imposed but emerged from a credible and participatory process. Sikota explained that an independent electoral commission was constituted to oversee the entire election process at the convention in order to guarantee fairness and transparency. He said the composition of delegates went beyond political parties, as the alliance allowed equal representation from participating political parties, independent candidates and non-political actors. T...
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Standards Drive Growth

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ZCSA tells SMEs that adhering to mandatory technical requirements enhances competitiveness, boosts productivity and profitability, and shields local products from unfair foreign competition. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 – ( March 26, 2026 ) --- The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has urged Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to comply with compulsory standards to gain easier access to lucrative markets, both locally and internationally. ZCSA Communications Manager, Brian Hatyoka, said the Agency that products meeting mandatory technical requirements are more likely to penetrate high-value markets. According to Hatyoka, ZCSA Regional Manager, Elias Kansembe, said implementing standards helps businesses develop customer-focused products, increase productivity, and improve profitability. He added that standards also protect consumers from potentially harmful products. Mr. Kansembe made the remarks during a presentation at the Access Bank SME Business Masterclass...
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Act on Disability Rights now

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... African Disab i l i t y prptocal advocates urge urgent ratification across the r e g i o n By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 -- (March 25, 2026 ) – The Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA) network is calling on governments across the continent, including Zambia, to urgently ratify and domesticate the African Disability Protocol (ADP), warning that continued delays are prolonging discrimination and exclusion for persons with disabilities, especially women and girls. Ruth Mkutumula, Executive Director of DIWA, told journalists at the media briefing that the African Disability Protocol is a crucial framework for protecting the rights of all persons with disabilities, with a particular focus on women and girls. Mkutumula explained that women and girls with disabilities face serious challenges across the region. She said these include ritual attacks on women with albinism, denial of education for girls with physical disabilities, and discrimination in healthcare. Mkutumula ad...
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Industrial-Scale Defections Loom

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...As Clement Tembo Breaks ties with PF, Signals 2026 Endorsement By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka , Zambia24 – (25-03-2026) -- Former Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund National Coordinator Clement Tembo has resigned from the Patriotic Front (PF), warning of major political shifts ahead of the 2026 general elections and signalling that he will soon endorse a presidential candidate backed by what he described as “well-organised grassroots structures.” Tembo, who is aspiring to contest the Kabwata parliamentary seat, said his decision to leave PF and relinquish his position as Lusaka Province Vice Secretary was both “timely and lawful,” adding that it clears his path to participate in the upcoming elections. He accused the former ruling party of abandoning its founding pro-poor ideology, arguing that it had shifted from serving ordinary citizens to benefiting a small group of elites within its leadership. “The PF was built on the strength of the grassroots, but over time that v...
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Industrial Harmony at Risk

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... UNZA Staff unions not only warn government and key authorities to resolve delayed payments and benefits or face industrial action but also set deadlines on longstanding issues. By Francis Maingaila  Lusaka, Zambia24  -- (24-03-2026) -- Two unions at the University of Zambia — the University of Zambia Professional Staff Union (UNZAPROSU) and the University of Zambia and Allied Workers Union (UNZAWU)— have warned that industrial harmony at UNZA is at risk if the government and relevant authorities fail to resolve longstanding issues within set timelines. Likezo Pumulo, president of UNZAPROSU, said the delayed release of negotiation parameters by the Emoluments Commission has stalled 2026 collective bargaining talks. Under Section 69 (1)(a) of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, negotiations should begin three months before the expiry of existing agreements, but talks for 2026 have not started even three months after the 2025 agreements lapsed. “The delay is a blatant disregard o...
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