Zambia Daily Mail

BIVAN SALUSEKI Fuzhou, China VOICES of developing countries should be heard and recognized, says Independent Online (IOL) South Africa chief executive Viasen Soobramoney. During the official opening of the 2026 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road in Fuzhou, Fujian Province in China yesterday, Mr Soobramoney said the global south should listen to developing countries. Mr Soobramoney said the world order in terms of information has changed and the media needs to adapt. He said there is a disr

Electoral body urges parties to monitor elections GIDEON NYENDWA, MAYENGO NYIRENDA Sioma, Chipili THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it does not ‘manufacture results’, with a call on political parties to deploy adequate polling agents to safeguard electoral transparency. ECZ commissioner McDonald Chipenzi said political parties should take responsibility for monitoring elections instead of accusing the electoral body of manipulating results when they fail to deploy sufficient agents.

JULIET MUSUNGA Lusaka GOVERNMENT has warned holders of dormant mining licences to secure investment partners or surrender their rights to allow capable investors to develop the country’s mineral resources. Mines and Minerals Development Minister Brenda Tambatamba said Government would no longer tolerate mining licences remaining unused while the country pursues increased mineral production. Ms Tambatamba said this on Monday when she featured on the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Podc

MATHEWS MALAZIKA Lusaka MINISTER of Local Government and Rural Development Gift Sialubalo has called on local authorities to ensure that the allocation of market stalls and trading spaces is conducted in a transparent, fair and accountable manner. Mr Sialubalo said allegations of unfair allocation, multiple occupation of trading spaces, unauthorised subletting and demands for unofficial payments could undermine public confidence in market management. In a ministerial statement to Parliament yest

Says findings lack sufficient historical, institutional, security context GRACE CHAILE, MARY LEMBA Lusaka GOVERNMENT has challenged aspects of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM)’s final report on the 2026 general elections, arguing that some findings lack sufficient historical, institutional and security context. Yesterday, European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), led by Chief Observer Michael McNamara, presented its final report to President Hakainde Hichilem

 Caa1 rating reflects progress in debt restructuring, fiscal consolidation – Govt CHOMBA MUSIKA Lusaka GOVERNMENT says Moody’s Ratings’ upgrade of the country’s sovereign credit rating from Caa2 to Caa1 is another step in the country’s recovery from the debt distress that culminated in its 2020 default. The Ministry of Finance and National Planning said the upgrade, announced on October 30 this year, reflected sustained improvements in Zambia’s debt trajectory following the debt distress that c

PRISCILLA MWILA Lusaka ZAMBIA has secured two key leadership positions in the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), having been elected vice-president of the assembly and vice-chairperson of the council for the 2027–2028 term. The appointments give Zambia a greater role in shaping the strategic direction of the treaty-based intergovernmental organisation, which supports developing and emerging economies in transitioning towards inclusive and sustainable low-carbon growth. Minister of Green Econo

CONRAD MWANGO Lusaka GOVERNMENT is counting on private sector investment to help Zambia achieve its target of generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity by 2031, Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati has said. Mr Mutati urged investors to engage Government whenever they encounter obstacles that can delay or undermine their investments, as collaboration is key to achieving the country’s energy ambitions. Speaking during the 20th anniversary celebration of Zambia Energy Corporation

MARGARET CHISANGA Lusaka FOR more than four decades, Betty Wilkinson has dedicated her career to one central mission: helping underserved communities gain access to opportunities that improve their lives. From rural villages in Africa and Asia to ministerial offices and international development institutions, Ms. Wilkinson has become widely recognized as a leading voice in financial inclusion and sector development, poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable economic growth. Currently

MAYENGO NYIRENDA Mansa CHIEF Chisunka of Mansa District has urged Zambians to embrace President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda, describing it as an initiative aimed at improving livelihoods and creating economic opportunities. The traditional leader has also dismissed claims that the programme is intended to facilitate the seizure of traditional land, assuring communities that their land rights remain intact. Speaking in Chembe on Saturday during the 20th anniversary celebration o

AFRICA’S mineral wealth should be a source of prosperity, economic transformation and improved livelihoods for its people. Yet, for decades, the continent has witnessed a troubling contradiction. Despite being endowed with vast deposits of precious and critical minerals, many of its citizens remain trapped in poverty, while their natural environment continues to suffer from irresponsible mining practices. This contradiction raises an important question: what is the value of being richly endowed

ON the instructions of the King of Morocco Mohammed VI, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan launched on Saturday, October 31 in the municipality of Yaâzanène (province of Nador), the operations of the first container terminal of the port Nador West Med, the inaugural step in the operationalization of the industrial-port complex Nador West Med, which mobilized 54 billion DH of public and private investment. The launch by the Crown Prince of the operations of the container terminal “East” of

Says his political allegiance remains firmly with UPND MATHEWS MALAZIKA Lusaka CHOMA Central Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa says he remains a committed “disciple” of President Hakainde Hichilema despite being left out of the latest ministerial appointments. Meanwhile, Nalolo MP Imanga Wamunyima says he will push for legislation to penalise political parties whose candidates withdraw from elections after ballot papers have been printed. Mr Mweetwa, a former Minister of Information and Me

MELODY MUPETA Kitwe PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has donated K1 million towards the Copperbelt University (CBU) Challenge, a fundraising initiative aimed at expanding infrastructure and improving learning facilities. CBU vice-chancellor Imasiku Nyambe said the contribution will support the construction of additional facilities as student enrolment continues to rise. He said the university’s student population has grown from about 500 when it was established in the 1980s to more than 20,000

MATHEWS MALAZIKA Lusaka PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is working round the clock to cushion Zambians from rising fuel prices, with State House acknowledging the growing pressure on households, businesses and the agriculture sector. State House Chief Communication Strategist Whitney Mulobela said geopolitical instability in the Middle East has pushed up international oil prices, with consequences for Zambia, which imports all its refined petroleum products. Mr Mulobela said Government understands

GRACE CHAILE Lusaka THE State has asked the High Court to increase the prison sentences imposed on former Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji and former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba, arguing that the punishments are too lenient given the seriousness of their offences and amounts of public funds involved. The State is also seeking to overturn Malanji’s acquittal on a charge of possessing property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime involving Royal Gibson Hotel in

MS Inès Miranda Navarro, advisor in charge of territorial policy and landscape at the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, is questioned in the management of public procurement related to the “Days of the Landscape” organized between 2016 and 2019. She is being prosecuted for prevarication, misappropriation of public funds and fraud in the administration. According to the evidence examined by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in charge of the fight against corruption, she faces up to five years’ imprisonment a

Chipata Hospital says they continued living in institutional houses despite receiving terminal benefits MAYENGO NYIRENDA Chipata CHIPATA Central Hospital in Eastern Province has given 52 families occupying government houses 14 days to vacate the properties following an Auditor General’s report that found that the properties are being illegally occupied. The families, comprising retired civil servants and relatives of deceased employees, have reportedly continued living in the institutional hous

Veep says Govt committed to promoting orderly human settlements MARY LEMBA Lusaka VICE-PRESIDENT Mutale Nalumango says urban planning must respond to the needs of communities by improving access to basic services without unnecessarily displacing people from their homes and livelihoods. Mrs Nalumango said Government is committed to promoting orderly human settlements, improving infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities as Zambia’s towns and cities continue to grow. She said this in a s

MARY LEMBA Lusaka THE K69.7 million University Teaching Hospitals (UTH) water supply improvement project has reached 70 percent completion, with the remaining works expected to be completed by December this year. Minister of Health Roma Chilengi said reliable water supply is essential in health facilities, where shortages can disrupt service delivery and expose patients to infections, including cholera. Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony, Professor Chilengi said Government is committed