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African Diplomats Praise Engagement

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African envoys commend Government’s election consultations, call for continued dialogue ahead of August polls By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia 24 -- (07-05-2026) --- The Government of Zambia has assured African diplomats accredited to the country that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) remains fully responsible for managing the August 2026 General Elections, as diplomats praised Government’s continued engagement and transparency ahead of the polls. Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Princess Kasune gave the assurance during a Special Ministerial Briefing for the African diplomatic corps in Lusaka, where she reiterated Government’s commitment to peaceful democratic processes, constitutionalism, and inclusive participation in elections. Princess Kasune said the ECZ would continue providing updates on electoral preparedness while Government remained committed to guaranteeing stability, continuity, and transparency throughout the electoral pe...
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No Evidence, No Vacant Seats

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Mutti throws out defection allegations, says MPs cannot lose seats on rumours alone By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 -- (10-05-2026) -- Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has ruled that no Member of Parliament can lose their seat on the basis of political allegations without evidence, dismissing claims that several lawmakers had crossed the floor in breach of the Constitution. Delivering a consolidated ruling on three separate Points of Order raised in April 2026, Ms Mutti said the principle guiding Parliament is clear: without proof of resignation or formal defection, no seat can be declared vacant. She stressed that accusations, political statements, or speculation do not meet the constitutional threshold required under Article 72. The ruling followed allegations that some MPs had defected to the ruling while others were said to have joined the through the Tonse Alliance. The first Point of Order was raised by Lukashya MP , who alleged that six MPs had joined...
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New ZTA Board Tasked

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Government targets five million tourist arrivals as Sikumba pushes digital innovation, investment and private sector-led tourism growth By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 – (May 9, 2026 ) -- The Zambian government is positioning tourism as a key driver of economic diversification and national development, with the newly inaugurated Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) Board expected to strengthen the sector’s contribution to jobs, investment, and revenue generation. The newly inaugurated board is chaired by Killer Johnson and includes Dr Japhet Lishomwa, Andrew Chilufya, Lucy Nyundo, Annie Sibanda, Hillary Mwansa, Grant Gatchell, Musukuma, and George Kaumba as board members. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Lusaka on Saturday, Rodney Sikumba said tourism remains central to government’s broader economic transformation agenda alongside agriculture, manufacturing, and energy. He said a strong economy was necessary to sustain social programmes such as free education, social cash...
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Mining Deaths Must Stop

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ZASAA warns of repeated safety failures after Matala Mine incident By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24, (May 8, 2026 ) — The Zambia Safety Awards for Excellence Organisation (ZASAA) has called for urgent action to strengthen occupational health and safety awareness and enforcement following the incident at Matala Gold Mine in Nangoma Constituency, Mumbwa District, where five small-scale miners are feared trapped underground. ZASAA President and Founder Hellen Mwamba said repeated neglect of safety standards is leading to preventable loss of life and insisted that mining deaths must stop immediately. Mwamba said the incident reflects a persistent and avoidable pattern of mining-related tragedies in the country. “This incident must not simply be treated as another mining accident. We must not normalise preventable tragedy,” she said. She commended emergency response teams and stakeholders involved in rescue operations at the mine. However, Mwamba stressed that prevention remain...
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New Digital Platform to Transform MSMEs

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Zambia launches PAMO to expand access to finance, cut lending barriers and boost enterprise growth through a digital credit system By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (8-05-2026) -- The Government of Zambia has launched the National MSME Financial Platform Zambia (PAMO), a digital system aimed at expanding access to finance, improving credit assessment and strengthening financial inclusion for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in what government and private sector stakeholders have described as a major structural reform of Zambia’s financial system. Speaking during the launch in Lusaka on Friday, Sib Ali, director and member of FAUREE board of directors, said the platform marks a shift from traditional collateral-based lending to a digital, transaction-based financing model. Ali said the initiative connects MSMEs, banks, regulators, government and development partners on one digital infrastructure to improve efficiency, transparency and access to finance. At t...
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New Digital Platform to Transform MSMEs

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Zambia launches PAMO to expand access to finance, cut lending barriers and boost enterprise growth through a digital credit system By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (8-05-2026) -- The Government of Zambia has launched the National MSME Financial Platform Zambia (PAMO), a digital system aimed at expanding access to finance, improving credit assessment and strengthening financial inclusion for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in what government and private sector stakeholders have described as a major structural reform of Zambia’s financial system. Speaking during the launch in Lusaka on Friday, Sib Ali, director and member of FAUREE board of directors, said the platform marks a shift from traditional collateral-based lending to a digital, transaction-based financing model. Ali said the initiative connects MSMEs, banks, regulators, government and development partners on one digital infrastructure to improve efficiency, transparency and access to finance. At t...
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CSPR Warns on Supplementary Budget

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Civil society raises concerns over transparency, debt risks and unclear expenditure allocations Lusaka, Zambia24   --- (8-05-2026)-- Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) is urging government to balance emergency spending needs with transparency, accountability, and responsible debt management following the 2026 supplementary budget, warning that gaps in clarity and rising borrowing levels could undermine fiscal discipline. CSPR Executive Director Isabel Mukelabai told Zambia24 that while the organisation welcomed government’s transparency in presenting the supplementary budget and the decision to finance part of it through reprioritisation of existing expenditure, there remained serious concerns over debt sustainability, accountability, and unclear expenditure lines. She commended government for the approach taken in reallocating funds, noting that about K10 billion, representing 38 percent of the supplementary budget, had been drawn from existing expenditure lines. However, ...
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