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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Big Win for Zambian Youths

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Government, HYGEIA Global University sign MoU for 20 fully funded scholarships By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (13-05-2026) --The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide 20 fully funded scholarships to deserving Zambian youths across selected academic disciplines. The agreement is aimed at expanding access to higher education and strengthening youth empowerment through skills development in key fields of study. The scholarships will cover full tuition fees for programmes in Business Management, Education, Health Sciences, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The initiative targets young people with talent and potential but limited financial capacity. Speaking at the signing ceremony, described the development as a “big win” for Zambian youths, saying it reflects government’s commitment to inclusive access to education. He said the programme will begin immediately, with government working alongsi...

ZAFOD Demands Inclusive Reforms

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Organisation warns against reduced disability representation and incomplete voter data ahead of the 2026 elections By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia — (12-05-2026) - The Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) has demanded inclusive reforms ahead of the 2026 General Elections, warning that the proposed Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, 2026 could weaken disability representation and reduce accountability in governance. ZAFOD Director Justine Bbakali told Zambia24 that the proposed amendment bill could reverse gains made under the current law by reducing the number of representatives of persons with disabilities on the Board of the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Mr. Bbakali said the current 2012 law was designed to ensure broad representation of different disability groups, women and youths under the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us.” However, he said the new amendment bill proposes a smaller board with only one representative fr...