CHOMBA MUSIKA Lusaka PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is today expected in Lusaka’s Mandevu Constituency to interact with residents and discuss issues affecting their community. In a statement issued by State House, Mr Hichilema invited residents to gather at Mutambe Community grounds and raise questions on matters important to them. The announcement attracted more than 13,000 comments within three hours, with several social media users welcoming the planned visit and calling for increased development. Meanwhile, the Mandevu parliamentary by-election scheduled for today will not take place following the withdrawal of all three opposition candidates. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) said the withdrawals have left UPND candidate Adrian Banda as the only validly nominated candidate. The candidates who withdrew are Ntazana Musukuma Mutungwa, Daniel Chisenga and independent candidate Daniel Daka. ECZ chief electoral officer Brown Kasaro said Mr Banda will be declared duly elected without a poll, although the commission is yet...

BIVAN SALUSEKI Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China SUSTAINABLE development cannot be rushed but requires patience, consistent effort and a long-term vision, says Chinese economist Cheng Menyao. Professor Cheng, an associate professor of economics at the Party School of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Fujian Provincial Committee, said countries should prioritise laying strong foundations for sustainable growth rather than pursuing short-term gains. Prof Cheng said this in China earlier today during a lecture to visiting African editors. She cited Fujian Province as an example of how visionary leadership and long-term planning could transform communities, saying the region has eradicated absolute poverty by 2020, 10 years ahead of the United Nations’ 2030 target. Prof Cheng said Fuzhou is also ranked among China’s happiest cities, with residents covered by unified health insurance and pension systems. She noted that the income gap between urban and rural residents is narrowing, with every two dollars...

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 disruption in terms of news processes and the traditional media should adjust. Mr Soobramoney said the media should help audiences understand the forces that are shaping the world order. He said the media needs to work towards attaining a fair and just order, building bridges and economic cooperation. Mr Soobramoney said dialogue should replace division while diversity should be respected. And during the 4th council meeting of the Belt and Road News...

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 Podcast, where she urged licence holders to demonstrate urgency by ensuring their investments generate economic returns and contribute to the national treasury. She said mining activities should also provide tangible economic benefits to licence holders and their families, warning investors against holding mineral rights without undertaking productive activities. Ms Tambatamba said those who lack the financial or technical capacity to develop their mining areas should seek suitable partners or surrender their rights to Government. “If you are not able to...

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 of Chief Kasoma Lwela’s reign, Chief Chisunka called on citizens to support the initiative and disregard what he described as misinformation. “The Grow Zambia Agenda is not about politics; it is about improving lives. It is about putting food on the table, money in the pocket and creating jobs for our children,” he said. The traditional leader said the initiative encourages communities to use their land productively rather than surrender its ownership. He urged citizens to form cooperatives, increase agricultural production...

 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 culminated in the country’s 2020 default. In a statement issued by Office of Secretary to Treasury, the ministry said the development demonstrated progress in debt restructuring, fiscal consolidation and macro-economic stabilisation, while strengthening Zambia’s international credit standing. The rating action follows a staff-level agreement reached with International Monetary Fund (IMF) on October 9, 2026 for a proposed 36-month Extended Credit Facility arrangement worth US$1.472 billion. The ministry said the proposed facility was intended to safeguard macro-economic...

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 serving as an advisor and Board Chair/member to governments and NGOs in financial inclusion and financial literacy in Africa, Ms. Wilkinson focuses her efforts to expand access to financial services across her home, Zambia. Her career, however, stretches far beyond Zambia, encompassing leadership roles in government, academia, international development organizations, and financial institutions across four continents.With more than 35 years of field experience, Betty has built a reputation as an innovative manager and policy expert capable of bringing together governments, regulators, businesses, donors,...

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 (Zam-En) on Saturday, Mr Mutati said President Hakainde Hichilema is committed to removing bureaucratic barriers and prioritising results. “As we move to grow Zambia, the President has said we need to grow our electricity generation to 10,000 megawatts by 2031, and so we will be looking to a number of investors to make significant contributions to that,” he said. Mr Mutati said the private sector should maintain open communication with Government to ensure that challenges affecting investment are addressed...