Parliament approves ministry changes to boost efficiency, drive Grow Zambia FANNY KALONDA, MATHEWS MALAZIKA Lusaka PARLIAMENT has approved President Hakainde Hichilema’s proposal to establish, merge and dissolve government ministries in a move aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening accountability and accelerating implementation of the Grow Zambia Agenda. The motion, moved by Vice President Mutale Nalumango, who is Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, was put to the House by Speaker Nelly Mutti yesterday, with the majority of lawmakers supporting the proposal. Mrs Nalumango outlined the proposed changes, which include dissolving the ministries of Energy; Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development; Commerce, Trade and Industry; Lands and Natural Resources; and Youth, Sport and Arts. The new structure provides for ministries responsible for Trade and Export, Industry, Electricity, Petroleum, Infrastructure and Urban Development, Housing, Lands, Skills and Higher Education, Youth and Sports, and Culture and Arts. She said several ministries will remain...

CONRAD MWANGO Lusaka A CONSORTIUM of youth organisations has petitioned Parliament to abolish presidential term limits and remove the Grade 12 certificate requirement for candidates seeking election as Members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors. The Zambia Youth Organisation Consortium (ZYOC) submitted the petition to nominated MP Francis Kope for onward presentation to the National Assembly, proposing that the two requirements be scrapped. The consortium comprises Youth for Dialogue, Youth Development Network, Ambia Young Women, Different Abled Youths Association, and Arise and Soar Zambia. ZYOC chairperson Jacob Longwe said the organisations believe presidential term limits restrict citizens’ freedom to continue voting for leaders of their choice. Mr Longwe also argued that the Grade 12 certificate requirement excludes individuals with leadership qualities who lack the academic qualification but wish to contest elections. He said the consortium conducted consultations across the country before preparing the petition, which it wants Parliament to consider through...

MATHEWS MALAZIKA Lusaka GOVERNMENT has assured farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) that they will be paid progressively, with the bulk of the outstanding payments expected next month following the release of K14.7 billion by the Treasury. Acting Minister of Agriculture Situmbeko Musokotwane said the funding will be sufficient to settle outstanding payments owed to farmers for maize and rice delivered to the agency. In a ministerial statement to Parliament yesterday, Dr Musokotwane said the FRA has purchased maize and rice worth approximately K18.7 billion, of which K4.1 billion has already been paid, leaving an outstanding balance of about K14.6 billion. He said the agency has purchased 2.7 million tonnes of maize from 1,850 buying depots nationwide at a cost of K18.738 billion. “This will bring the total stocks of maize held by FRA to 4.1 million metric tons, comprising 1.42 million metric tons of carry-over...

Ministry of Health introduces national pharmaceutical authentication system GRACE CHAILE Lusaka THE Ministry of Health will introduce a national pharmaceutical authentication and traceability system on Monday next week to curtail counterfeit medicines and curb the theft and illegal sale of government drugs. The system will require medicines produced locally or imported into Zambia to carry specially designed security labels, allowing them to be authenticated and tracked throughout the supply chain. According to a notice issued by Minister of Health Roma Chilengi, the system will be implemented in collaboration with the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) to protect patients from falsified, substandard and expired medicines. It will also help prevent government medicines from being diverted into private markets. “The system protects patients from falsified, substandard and expired medicines, and stops the theft and diversion of government medicines into the private market,” the notice states. Two types of security labels will be...

CHOMBA MUSIKA Lusaka PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has called on Switzerland to increase investment and trade with Zambia beyond traditional minerals such as copper, urging stronger economic partnerships to accelerate growth, create jobs and promote local value addition. Mr Hichilema said Zambia was keen to work with Swiss businesses to attract investment, facilitate technology transfer and expand opportunities across various sectors of the economy. He said stronger bilateral economic relations will complement the implementation of the Grow Zambia Agenda, which seeks to accelerate economic growth, create employment and increase national wealth. Speaking when Switzerland’s State Secretary and Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Helene Artieda, led a Swiss business delegation on a courtesy call at State House yesterday, Mr Hichilema welcomed the growing trade relations between the two countries. “Trade has evolved over the years, we are around US$20 billion plus, you also have investors that have been here...

  Supports over 458,200 jobs across COMESA region, study reveals   MARGARET CHISANGA Lusaka   THE Coca-Cola system, incorporating its network of bottlers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers, contributed USD 3.6 billion to the region’s combined GDP in 2024, representing 0.3% of COMESA’s GDP. Results from a study revealed that through direct employment and its value chain, the system supported over 458,200 jobs. “For every direct job created by the Coca-Cola system in COMESA, an additional 28 jobs are supported throughout the regional economy,” said Luis Felipe Avellar, President of Coca-Cola’s Africa Operating Unit. He said the Coca-Cola system unveiled the results of a new study showcasing its significant economic contributions to the COMESA region. He was speaking during the 19th COMESA Business Forum, which is a major economic platform for promoting trade and regional integration. The study was conducted by global consultancy Steward Redqueen and highlights the transformative role Coca-Cola...

CHOMBA MUSIKA Lusaka ZAMBIA has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2027-2029 term, marking a significant milestone in the country’s multilateral diplomacy. The election yesterday by the UN General Assembly at the ongoing 81st Session at the UN headquarters, is also a landmark in the country’s long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe said the election also reinforces President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision in the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda, which places people at the centre of development. Mr Haimbe said the President’s agenda also recognises that economic progress must go hand in hand with the protection of fundamental rights, inclusive opportunities and improved livelihoods. “President Hichilema has consistently positioned Zambia as a beacon of peace and stability and a champion for fundamental freedoms,” he said in a statement. He said the election presents...

GRACE CHAILE Lusaka SECURITY has been intensified at the courts to protect judicial officers and members of the public following an altercation at the Supreme Court. This follows an incident in which former Patriotic Front (PF) secretary-general Davies Mwila was allegedly harassed by unknown people at the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Mumba Malila yesterday said law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident and those responsible will face the full force of the law. Mr Mwila had a confrontation with some court attendees shortly after proceedings in the Lima Constituency election petition were adjourned. The petition was filed by United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Lee Mukupa, who is challenging the election of National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) candidate Kelvin Kaunda as Lima Member of Parliament. Mr Mwila, who had attended the proceedings in solidarity with Mr Kaunda, allegedly provoked some people by mocking their “salt sana”...

GRACE CHAILE Lusaka FORMER Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu risks arrest after the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court issued a bench warrant against him for repeatedly failing to appear in court in a case involving alleged seditious practices. Magistrate Webster Milumbe yesterday issued the warrant and ordered Mpundu’s sureties to appear before court on November 2, 2026 to produce the accused or explain his whereabouts. Mpundu, who is also National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential affairs chairman, was expected to attend the hearing but was absent, prompting the prosecution to apply for a warrant for his arrest. Senior public prosecutor Abraham Ngozo informed the court that Mpundu had failed to appear and that no explanation had been provided for his absence. Mr Milumbe subsequently ordered that Mpundu be brought before court under a bench warrant and summoned his sureties, Mulenga Fube, who was present, and former Kamfinsa MP Christopher...

HH urges COMESA to move beyond commitments on trade CHOMBA MUSIKA, CHISHALA MUSONDA Lusaka, Livingstone PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has challenged the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to move beyond commitments and “walk the talk” by adopting ambitious economic growth targets, increasing intra-regional trade and creating jobs for its growing population. Mr Hichilema said member states needed to take practical steps to strengthen trade among themselves, mobilise domestic capital and invest collectively in production and value addition to unlock the region’s economic potential. “We must be aggressive [in growing the economies], COMESA must be ambitious,” he said. Speaking during the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit yesterday, held under the theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA,” Mr Hichilema said Africa needed to overcome its reluctance to trade internally and instead prioritise regional economic cooperation. The President, who is...