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...

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 Economy and Environment Gilbert Siame said the election will help strengthen Zambia’s influence in the governance of an institution whose membership has grown to 55 countries. Dr Siame said this during the 15th session of the GGGI Assembly and 19th session of the council, held jointly on Friday last week in Seoul, South Korea. According to a statement issued by first secretary for tourism at the Zambian embassy in Seoul Zondi Chilembo, Dr Siame said the appointments will enable Zambia to contribute more...

CHOMBA MUSIKA, MARY LEMBA Lusaka PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says construction of Africa’s first oral cholera vaccine manufacturing plant, to be established in Zambia, will commence next month as the country intensifies efforts to combat the disease. Mr Hichilema said the facility, which will be located at the Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone, is part of Zambia’s contribution to continental efforts to eliminate cholera. Zambia and Chinese company International Medical Technology have signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the plant, which is expected to produce 20 million doses annually. Speaking when he swore in Minister of Housing Christopher Kalila and his Transport and Logistics counterpart Charles Milupi yesterday, Mr Hichilema said the initiative demonstrates the country’s commitment to addressing cholera through preventive measures. “We are proud as a nation. Media, next month we are launching the construction of the cholera vaccine production plant, here in the country;...

MATHEWS MALAZIKA Lusaka FORUM for Democracy and Development (FDD) parliamentary candidate Daniel Chisenga has withdrawn from the November 5 Mandevu by-election, citing alleged threats to his life. Mr Chisenga said in an interview yesterday that unknown individuals and some political players have threatened him, prompting his decision to quit the race. “Yes, I have pulled out of the race because of threats from unknown people and some political players,” he said. Mr Chisenga said he has communicated his decision to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), which is yet to confirm his withdrawal. His exit leaves three candidates in the race for the Mandevu seat next Thursday. The constituency has more than 123,000 registered voters. Remaining contenders are Adrian Banda of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Ntazana Musukuma of the Leadership Movement (LM) and independent candidate Daniel Daka. Meanwhile, ECZ has urged officials assigned to the by-election to...

MATHEWS MALAZIKA Lusaka PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says his administration will work with traditional leaders to address issues pertaining to chiefdom boundaries countrywide. President Hichilema said the 1958 boundary map, designed by the colonial administration, is causing problems that require attention. Speaking yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo ll of Chongwe District, the head of State directed the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Lusaka provincial leadership to establish a process of traditional boundary resolution. President Hichilema said his administration’s focus is development as opposed to traditional leaders having misunderstandings over demarcation issues. “This 1958 boundary map is not solving problems. Actually, it’s causing a lot of problems. “Did we expect anything different? No! Because who drew those boundaries? It’s a colonial government, depending on who they spoke to in an area. Here, they would have spoken to one or two people at...