Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba says Zambia’s tourism sector is firmly on an upward growth trajectory, having recorded a strong recovery between 2021 and 2025, with clear strategies in place to transform the industry into a multi-billion-dollar contributor to the national economy.

Speaking during a media breakfast press briefing in Lusaka, Mr Sikumba said government has deliberately repositioned the sector from traditional tourism to the broader travel and tourism model, in recognition of its extensive economic linkages.

“Tourism is no longer just about hotel beds and park entry fees. It contributes to GDP, employment, retail, transport, agriculture and services and every visitor who comes to Zambia contributes across the economy,” Mr Sikumba said.

He disclosed that international tourist arrivals reached 2.2 million in 2025, representing a four percent increase from the previous year.

Mr Sikumba further revealed that the tourism sector supported approximately 159,000 jobs in 2023, with projections, indicating an increase to 164,000 jobs by 2025, positioning tourism among Zambia’s fastest-growing employers.

Outlining key priorities for 2026, the Minister said government aims to increase international arrivals to 2.5 million, grow domestic tourism by 20 percent, expand air connectivity and route development, strengthen legal and regulatory reforms and enhance community participation in tourism development.

“Tourism is for the benefit of Zambians. When the sector grows, jobs are created, communities benefit and the economy expands,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the tourism sector through improved governance, labour law reforms and enhanced worker protection.

Ms Tambatamba described tourism as one of Zambia’s key economic priority sectors under the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), alongside mining, agriculture and energy.

She emphasised that government’s engagement with the private sector is aimed at strengthening systems rather than policing businesses.

“When we come to your ministry, your sector or your enterprise, we are not coming to police you. We are coming for governance improvement,” she said.

Luangwa District has received 120 metric tonnes of white maize from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) meant for community sales, to mitigate low crop yields from the 2024/2025 farming season.

Luangwa District Commissioner, Luke Chikani, confirmed the arrival of four trucks, saying four FRA depots will be opened in Chiyendeyende, Mphuka, Kaunga and Chitope communities for affordable maize purchases until this year’s crop harvest.

He attributed poor yields to poor rainfall, human – animal conflict, especially from the elephants and the district’s challenging valley geography, despite farmers’ diligent use of Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and Food Security Pack (FSP).

“The district is located in the Game Management Area hence the human –animal conflicts especially with the elephants that terrorise maize fields and eat the crop,” he said.

Mr Chikani assured residents that community sales will continue until food security was restored, thanking government for its prompt response to the district’s request.

World Boxing Council International Champion David “Sniper” Mwale says he is not under pressure to defend his title ahead of the WBC International fight against Tanzanian boxer Ramadan Milonzi on Saturday, January 27, 2026, at the Government Complex in Lusaka.

Mwale has expressed confidence and readiness for his title defense, assuring fans that he is fully prepared for the challenge and that he will use his “mosquito punch” on his opponent.

Speaking during a press conference in Lusaka, Mwale said every fighter trains to win and never for defeat, adding that he was pleased his opponent also declared readiness for the bout.

He called on boxing fans to turn up in large numbers on Saturday, to witness what he described as a new and exciting fighting approach.

Mwale further revealed that he will introduce what he termed a “mosquito style” during the fight, but declined to give further details, saying the strategy will be revealed in the ring.

Mwale also played down concerns about his opponent’s preparations, stating that he has studied his rival’s previous fights and remains focused on executing his own game plan.

David “Sniper” Mwale’s opponent, Ramadhan Milonzi, has declared himself ready for the fight, stating that he is in Zambia to take the WBC International title back to Tanzania.

Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions coach Mike Zulu says Mwale is fully prepared for the upcoming title defense, following an intensive six-month training camp.

Zulu however, described the bout as tough but fair, adding that the team understands what is at stake going into the contest, saying defending the title is a major responsibility and assured boxing fans that the champion is ready to rise to the occasion.

And Ramadhan Milonzi’s coach, Salim Mtepetallah also said his boxer is fully prepared to challenge champion David Mwale and is confident of returning home with the belt.

Mtepetallah said the Milonzi camp has thoroughly studied the champion and made adequate preparations to contend for the title, stressing that success in boxing depends on three key factors such as proper training, the boxer’s ability to apply skills learned during training and mental strength.

Meanwhile, Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions Manager Christopher Malunga disclosed that the fight will be supported by seven other bouts on a budget of K881, 000, with a deficit of K350, 000.

Malunga disclosed that the new sponsor has come to sponsor Saturday’s bout, further commending the government through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts for their continued support for boxing.

 Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Reverend Mathews Chilekwa, says involving key stakeholders in legislative reforms that impact the tourism and hospitality industry is essential for enhancing service standards and establishing Zambia as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.

Speaking when he officially opened a two-day Provincial Stakeholder Consultative meeting held at the Provincial Administration Boardroom in Chinsali District today, Rev Chilekwa said recommendations from key stakeholders will play a significant role in refining the legislative reforms that govern the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

Rev Chilekwa encouraged stakeholders in Muchinga Province to engage openly in order to ensure that the consultative process has a shared understanding and a unified purpose from stakeholders in Muchinga.

“As stakeholders in Muchinga Province your positive response to this consultative meeting shows a collective commitment shared towards strengthening Zambia’s Tourism and Hospitality sector,” he said.

The Provincial Permanent Secretary added that the sector continued to play a vital role in the national development agenda hence, adequate stakeholder consultations on key legislative instruments which include the Tourism and Hospitality amendment bill, the Zambia Travel and Tourism Agency bill and the Travel and Hospitality Professions’ Association of Zambia bill was cardinal.

He further said the highlighted bills were key to the conceited efforts aimed at modernising the regulatory framework and enhancing professionalism.

Earlier officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Zambia Tourism Agency paid a courtesy call on Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Reverend Mathews Chilekwa.

And Ministry of Tourism Chief Planner Sydney Tembo said reviewing of the key legislative reforms comes after raising demand from stakeholders to have the legislative Reforms that govern the tourism and Hospitality sector to be reviewed and refined.

Mr Tembo highlighted that one of the key issues stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry are advocating for was the streamlining of regulations through a unified licensing system to improve service standards.

He said this contrasts with the current situation, where multiple registration processes are required for one to operate within the sector.

Hospital authorities have confirmed that the 7-year-old boy who was burnt by the mother after he stole K10, which he later used to play Bonanza, a type of coin-operated gambling machine is expected be discharged within seven days.

Chipata Central Hospital Registrar and General Surgeon, Ali Mwanza, said the boy, who sustained burns 12 centimetres deep, was responding well to treatment and was steadily recovering.

“The burns on the back of the boy are on the skin and were getting onto the second layer of the skin,” Dr Mwanza mentioned.

He updates that his fevers were stable and the wound was healing.

He told the media that the boy may be out of the hospital in the next seven days following the pace at which he was recovering.

“The tissues are wearing very well and if we do not have any complications, the child can be out of hospital in 7 days,” he approximated.

And the uncle to the Child, Prosper Nyirenda said it was unfortunate that his sister Amelia Namonje 31 of Mchini Compound decided to burn the child.

He expressed sadness that he was currently the only one helping both the child and taking food to the sister, who is currently in police custody.

Mr Nyirenda explained that the father of the child was nowhere to be seen despite knowing the condition.

He said that despite coming from Lusaka, he was financially unstable and could manage to care for the children of his sister.

“My sister can be punished, but let her continue to care for her children, because no one will manage to take up the responsibility,” he pleaded.

Amelia Namonje 31 of Mchini Compound of Eastern Province burnt her son with hot water, on January 22, 2026, over a K10 she claimed he got to play a game known as bonanza.

But according to the survivor, he only wanted to get a K3 out of the K10 to buy a school item.

Namonje is a mother of 3, with the child currently admitted to Chipata Central Hospital, being the last born.

President Hakainde Hichilema says Government remains committed to maintaining a stable, predictable, and competitive investment environment that promotes joint ventures, public-private partnerships, and reforms that deliver tangible benefits to Zambians.

The President said this against the backdrop of Zambia’s successful 36-month debt restructuring, which he said has contributed to renewed investor confidence as the economy enters a growth phase.

Mr Hichilema was speaking when he hosted a delegation of global investors led by JP Morgan and Chase, with representatives from leading firms based in London, Geneva, Boston, Dubai, Luxembourg, and the United States. The delegation was led by J.P. Morgan Executive Director for Global Economic Research, Gbolahan Taiwo.

In a Facebook post, Mr Hichilema said the investors will engage public, private, and multilateral partners to explore opportunities in energy, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and financial services, which are key pillars of Zambia’s growth strategy.

He said the New Dawn administration remains focused on macroeconomic stability while gradually shifting towards a more expansionary growth approach, particularly in the energy sector. The President attributed the country’s economic prospects to progress made in debt restructuring, economic stabilisation, and reforms under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Facility.

Earlier, Mr Taiwo said the World Bank had commended Zambia’s economic reforms during engagements with the delegation.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development says effective solid waste management is critical to ending flooding in Lusaka.

Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Nicholas Phiri said Phase Two of the Cash for Work Programme will place strong emphasis on cleaning the city. He noted that although drainage infrastructure has improved over the past three years, blocked drains and culverts caused by waste continue to contribute to flooding.

Mr Phiri said Lusaka floods will not be resolved unless residents manage waste properly. He was speaking yesterday during the official opening of an orientation workshop for town clerks and council secretaries in Chongwe.

He said government, working with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit and the Ministry of Infrastructure, has invested close to K100 million in drainage works, including the Kaushawalia, Ledana, Road 55, and Katunjila-Kulimatawa drainages.

Mr Phiri commended Phase One projects such as illegal dump clearance in Kafue and drainage improvements in Chipata but warned that poor-quality and repetitive work will not be accepted in Phase Two.

He said the next phase will support local authorities in maintaining clean streets and drainage channels to reduce flooding and improve public health.

President Hakainde Hichilema yesterday met ITRACOM Group Chairman Adrien Ntigacika of Burundi at State House, where the company expressed interest in investing in Zambia’s fertiliser sector.

ITRACOM Group plans to establish an organo-mineral fertiliser plant that will produce fertiliser using cow dung blended with NPK. The proposed investment is aimed at supporting sustainable agriculture while adding value to locally available raw materials.

The initiative is expected to contribute to improved soil health, increased agricultural productivity, and job creation. It also aligns with government efforts to promote private sector participation, value addition, and environmentally friendly farming practices.

Discussions focused on the investment framework, potential partnerships, and Zambia’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for investors in the agriculture sector.

17 traditional leaders from Central, Southern and Northern Provinces have visited Mungwi District to offer condolences to Paramount Chief Chitimukulu following the passing of his wife, Bernadette Mwamba.

The traditional leaders were led by House of Chiefs Chairperson, Chief Choongo of Monze District.

Speaking at Paramount Chief Chitimukulu’s palace, Chief Choongo, said traditional leaders across the country are mourning with the Mwinelubemba during this difficult period.

The Traditional leaders wished the Paramount Chief God’s guidance, strength and comfort.

Chief Choongo also commended President Hakainde Hichilema and government for the support rendered to the royal family during the funeral.

Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu expressed deep gratitude to President Hichilema, for the assistance provided which he said was beyond his expectations.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu added that the solidarity shown by the President, fellow chiefs and the nation has eased the burden on the royal family.

And Chief Kaputa of Kaputa District encouraged the Mwinelubemba to remain strong, noting that death is part of God’s order, citing Hebrews 9:27.

The media reports that chiefs who have visited the Mwine Lubemba include; 11 from Southern Province namely Chief Choongo, Chief Sekute,Chief Musokotwane,Chief Simwatachela,Chief Muchila,Chief Hamusonde ,Chief Mungaila,Chief Mukobela,Chief Simamba, Chief Mwanachingwala, Chief Nalubamba and Chieftainess Muwezwa.

And those from Central Province included Chief Mulendema and Chief Chamuka.

Others are Chief Fwambo and Chief Kaputa of Northern Province.