Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, has called on young people to explore business opportunities in rural areas by engaging in value addition activities that can transform local resources into marketable products.

Speaking at the official opening of the 2026 Youth Entrepreneurship Fair in Lusaka, Mr Nkandu emphasized that youths have the potential to drive economic growth if they utilize the abundant natural resources in rural communities to establish sustainable enterprises.

Mr Nkandu urged young people to focus on creating businesses that add value to agricultural and other locally available products rather than migrating to urban areas in search of employment.

He noted that value addition not only increases income for youths but also creates employment opportunities within their communities.

He explained that the fair provides a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase innovations, share ideas and connect with potential investors ahead of Youth Day commemorations on March 12, 2026.

Mr Nkandu reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives through empowerment programmes that promote entrepreneurship and economic participation.

Meanwhile, entrepreneur Annastasia Zulu encouraged youths to start businesses using available resources instead of waiting for large capital.

Ms. Zulu noted that many successful ventures begin with small ideas and limited means, stressing that determination, creativity and innovation are key to success.

Ms. Zulu advised young people to remain focused, hardworking and resilient, noting that challenges are part of the entrepreneurial journey but can be overcome with persistence.

She added that platforms such as entrepreneurship fairs are vital for networking, learning and gaining exposure.

The Ministry of Education and the Teachers Unions have reassured the public that the Government’s School Feeding Programme is free, following claims circulating on social media platforms that pupils are being charged fees to access the service.

In a video shared online, a woman alleged that learners in Kasama District were required to pay K20 to participate in the programme.

Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Educational Services, Kelvin Mambwe has since confirmed that the allegations are under investigation and that no learner should pay any fee for services provided under the Government’s Free Education Policy.

Dr Mambwe emphasised that the School Feeding Programme remains a key Government intervention aimed at improving learner nutrition, increasing school attendance, and enhancing academic performance.

“The Ministry wishes to assure parents in Kasama and across the country that the programme is free and accessible to all eligible learners,” he said.

This was contained in a press statement issued to the media by the Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Educational Services, Kelvin Mambwe.

Meanwhile, commenting on the matter, Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) Director of Public and International Relations Obby Chisala, highlighted that teachers are professionals expected to follow Government policies.

“Any teacher found collecting unauthorised fees will face disciplinary action. The Union will not support such misconduct but will work with authorities to ensure disciplinary procedures are fairly conducted,” he said.

Mr Chisala has urged school administrators to strictly adhere to the Government policy and report any violations immediately.

He also urged members of the public to report schools demanding payment for the School Feeding Programme to their District Education Board Secretary or the Ministry of Education.

The Ministry reiterated that charging fees for services under the Free Education Policy is illegal and undermines equitable access to education.

Association of Power Companies in Zambia President Silvester Habajene says continued engagement between government and the private sector is critical to resolving policy bottlenecks and unlocking investment needed to expand electricity generation in the country.

The media reports that speaking on the sidelines of the Public Private Dialogue Forum meeting held in Lusaka today, Mr Habajene said the meeting reviewed progress on a number of long standing issues affecting the energy sector.

Mr Habajene, who also served as Co-Chairperson of the meeting, explained that the Forum allowed both government and industry players to assess concerns previously raised and track progress on matters that have already been resolved.

“We reviewed progress on issues that sector players raised in the past and noted where progress has been made,” he said.

He added that the meeting also brought forward new concerns from industry players and described the government’s response to the issues raised as encouraging, saying stakeholders appreciated the constructive engagement.

Mr Habajene particularly commended the Zambia Revenue Authority for providing clarification on tax related matters affecting investments in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

He explained that investors bringing equipment into the country for power projects are allowed to import such equipment duty-free, a measure aimed at lowering the cost of developing electricity infrastructure.

“This will ultimately help make electricity more affordable,” he said.

Mr Habajene noted that reducing taxes on critical equipment will ultimately help lower the cost of electricity production and make power more affordable for consumers.

However, he acknowledged that some tax issues remain complex and will require further consultations between the industry and government institutions to reach lasting solutions.

Mr Habajene added that stakeholders have raised operational challenges affecting fuel transporters, including concerns about double charges when transporting fuel into Zambia from Tanzania, where transporters reportedly pay a fee at the border and another at a toll plaza about 20 kilometers inside the country.

Mr Habajene said the matter will be addressed through further discussions involving the National Road Fund Agency, the Zambia Revenue Authority and industry players.

Meanwhile, Western Power Company Managing Director Thomas Younger said policy clarity remains critical for attracting financing to large scale electricity projects.

Mr Younger mentioned that investors and lenders require certainty in laws and taxation before committing funds.

“Lenders need absolute clarity on the tax regime and legal requirements before they can release financing,” he said.

Mr Younger explained that developers must reach what financiers call “financial close” before construction can begin, a stage that requires complete clarity on the legal and tax framework governing a project.

He added that industry players are currently engaging the Zambia Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the Energy Regulation Board and the Zambia Development Agency to clarify areas where policies appear to conflict.

Two civil servants in Zambezi District have died after attempting to cross a river in search of mobile internet connectivity to submit their monthly reports.

The victims, a teacher and a health worker, drowned on Tuesday afternoon when the dugout canoe they were using capsized on the Lutembwe River.

North-Western Province Police Commanding Officer Brighton Siwale confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as 32-year-old Teddy Sakandula, a class teacher at Nyachikayi Primary School, and 31-year-old Freddy Sapilinya, a health worker at Nyachikayi Health Centre under the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ).

The incident occurred around 12:00 hours in the Nyachikayi area on the western bank of the Lutembwe River, about 196 kilometres from Zambezi Town.

Police said the two men boarded a dugout canoe in an attempt to cross the river to access mobile network connectivity from the other side so they could submit their reports.

Their attempt ended in tragedy midway through the crossing.

“Unfortunately, while in the middle of the river, the canoe capsized due to strong water current. Both occupants failed to swim and subsequently drowned,” Siwale said.

The bodies were later retrieved from the river and are awaiting transportation to the mortuary at Zambezi District Hospital.

Police have since opened an inquiry into the incident.

A 25-year-old man of Mpulungu District has died in a road traffic accident.

The deceased, identified as Ronald Bwalya of Kasimango Village in Chief Tafuna’s Chiefdom, died after he was hit by a vehicle while walking along the Mbala–Mpulungu Road.

Northern Province Deputy Commanding Officer Charles Mbita confirmed the accident to ZANIS in Kasama today.

He explained that involved was a Toyota Corolla, registration number BCD 9689, driven by Francis Bwalya, aged 39, of Location Compound.

Dr Mbita explained that the accident occurred after the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and hit the pedestrian.

“The accident happened on Tuesday around 17:30 hours at Kasimango Village in Chief Tafuna’s Chiefdom, along the Mbala–Mpulungu Road,” he said.

The police reports shows that the driver was reportedly speeding at the time of the accident.

The Police Chief stated that the deceased sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dr Mbita added that the driver became unconscious after the crash.

Meanwhile, a passenger in the vehicle, identified as Chilufya Mumba, 29, sustained injuries and complained of general body pains.

He was later admitted to Mpulungu District Hospital for further treatment.

Dr Mbita expressed condolences to the bereaved family and cautioned motorists against excessive speed.

“This is a heartbreaking incident, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased. We urge all road users to exercise caution, particularly in areas where pedestrians are present,” he said.

The damaged vehicle remains at the scene, while the body of the deceased has been deposited in Mpulungu District Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem.

Police have since launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) says its investment portfolio has grown to K113.5 billion in 2025, while benefits payouts reached K2.4 billion during the same period.

However, the Authority has disclosed that employers still owe about K30 billion in outstanding pension contributions.

Director General Muyangwa Muyangwa said during a media engagement that the investment portfolio increased from K95 billion recorded in 2024, keeping the institution on course to reach its 2026 target of K133 billion.

“The steady growth is anchored on a robust investment approach aimed at delivering an average annual return of above 12 percent for the 2022–2026 strategic period,” he said.

Muyangwa added that contribution income also exceeded expectations, with K10.4 billion collected against a target of K10 billion.

At the same time, he revealed that unpaid employer contributions have accumulated penalties amounting to K1.5 billion.

“I encourage employees to engage their employers and ensure that NAPSA obligations are met to avoid challenges when accessing retirement benefits,” he said.

Muyangwa urged employers to take advantage of available penalty waivers to settle their outstanding balances and secure workers’ future benefits.

On payouts, the Authority reported that 32,422 pensioners and beneficiaries received K1.06 billion in monthly pensions, while K643 million was paid as pre-retirement lump sums to 38,560 active members.

Retirement, survivor and invalidity benefits accounted for another K995 million in payments.

“In the same year, NAPSA beat its investment portfolio target of K95 billion to K113.5 billion, in readiness for an additional 10 percent partial withdrawal,” Muyangwa said.

Looking ahead, NAPSA plans to grow its net assets to K133 billion in 2026, increase contributions to K12.5 billion, achieve investment returns above 14 percent and maintain administrative costs within 13.5 percent of total contributions.

The Authority has so far financed investments worth about US$700 million and plans to open parts of its portfolio to allow Zambians to own shares in some of its assets.