Small and Medium Enterprise businesses have expressed their appreciation for the government’s efforts to extend power supply hours in residential areas, noting the significant positive impact on their operations.

In an interview with the media in Lusaka, Stanley Mumba, a welder from Kalingalinga, shared that the enhanced power supply has helped boost his business.

Mr Mumba mentioned that with more consistent electricity, he has been able to extend his working hours and increase his profit margins, which had previously been affected by frequent power outages.

Kandendu Kandendu, a hairdresser, also praised the improvement, explaining that his clients no longer avoid his services due to power disruptions.

“We have not faced any major power outages lately, and we’re grateful to the government for taking steps to reduce load shedding,” he said.

He acknowledged that the patience shown by himself and other small businesses during the government’s implementation of power stability measures has finally paid off.

Frank Mwalusaka, a computer science student at Cavendish University, also expressed his gratitude for the increased power supply over the past month.

“Having electricity both day and night is a huge benefit for us students. It allows us to study late into the night,” he said.

Mwalusaka added that the stable power supply has eliminated the difficulties he previously faced when working on projects and other academic activities.

The past month of steady power supply has been well received by consumers, who are hopeful for continued improvements.

More than 15,800 farmers in Copperbelt Province have had their fields infested by fall armyworm, affecting approximately 10,000 hectares of cropland.

 Copperbelt Province Senior Field Crops Officer Michael Mumbi disclosed that the infestation has been increasing across the province during the 2025–2026 farming season.

Mr Mumbi said the province has a total of 247 agricultural camps, of which 175 camps have so far reported fall armyworm infestations.

He explained that people continued to make reports because most crops in the province were currently at the vegetative stage, a period when crops were highly vulnerable to pest attacks.

“The Ministry of Agriculture has been combating the fall armyworm to ensure that crop yields are not affected. This is being done through various programs such as the training of officers and farmers in Integrated Pest Management” Mr. Mumbi said.

The Senior Crops Officer said the province received 10,000 litres of pesticide that will be distributed to all ten affected districts.

Mr Mumbi stated that the Copperbelt Province has over 460,000 small-scale farmers, and the chemicals will be delivered to districts, which will later distribute them to the affected households.

He also explained that pesticides were rotated to prevent pests from developing resistance.

” The chemicals received include Emamectin Benzoate and Lambda-cyhalothrin, which are highly effective”, he said.

Mr Mumbi advised farmers to apply the knowledge and training provided and emphasized that chemical control should be used as a last resort, as pesticides were highly poisonous.

He encouraged farmers to closely monitor their fields and apply Integrated Pest Management techniques, including cultural practices, for early detection and control.

He added that farmers were free to visit the District Agriculture Coordinator’s office to seek guidance and access pesticides when necessary.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced that its Technical Director, Lyson Zulu has been appointed by FIFA as the Technical Development Scheme High Performance Specialist for Africa.

In a statement issued in Lusaka by FAZ Head of Media and Communications, Nkweto Tembwe, FAZ says Zulu’s appointment to the FIFA role reflects both his personal professional growth and the rising profile of Zambian football administration on the global stage.

In 2024, Mr Zulu was among 24 Technical Directors worldwide who were awarded the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma in Zurich after completing an 18-month academic programme.

And FAZ General Secretary, Machacha Shepande described Zulu’s appointment as both a moment of pride and a significant loss for the association, noting that while FAZ would miss his expertise, his elevation to an international role was a major achievement.

“Congratulations, Mr Zulu Your journey is an inspiration, and your impact will continue to be felt far beyond our borders. We can only wish you the best on your next step in your journey,” Shepande said.

He added that Zulu’s appointment was a strong endorsement of the quality of technical expertise being developed within FAZ and highlighted the association’s growing reputation as a source of high-level football professionals.

“This achievement represents not only a personal milestone for Mr Zulu but also a victory for FAZ, Zambian football, and African football at large,” Shepande said.

Shepande further noted that Zulu’s new role at FIFA presents an opportunity to influence high-performance football systems across Africa, contributing to the continent’s competitiveness, structure, and global relevance.

Technocrats in Livestock and Fisheries have noted the significance of regional trade in boosting economic growth for Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo with the aim of formalising markets as well as enhancing revenue.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing 14^th Session of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, being held in Lubumbashi Haut-Katanga Province in the DRC, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Principal Economist for Trade and Agribusiness, Winford Lukubi highlighted the need to tap into the massive Congolese market to enhance trade in the region.

Mr Lukubi, highlighted that as a Ministry that also looks at trade facilitation among other services to do with exports called on Zambians to support his Ministry’s exportation of products to countries like the DRC.

Mr Lukubi stated that there is need to tap into the vast Congolese market through value chains such as daily produce, like beef or fish among other products.

He said this will assist in enhancing trade for economic growth for both countries.

“Zambians need not to be afraid of going out of their comfort zone but must be able to embrace the export trade for Zambia’s posterity,” he said.

Chief Fisheries Research Officer, Bornwell Seemani expressed that in order to tap into the Congolese big market in fish exports there is need for regulations from both sides in order to curb unreported and illegal fishing

Dr Seemani noted that with an influx of these vices both sides need to come up with measures to be agreed by the two countries in order to conserve the resources.

He stated that once regulated fishing is put in place both countries will be able to collect revenue through taxes.

Dr Seemani noted that the bilateral talks between the two countries are vital as Zambia and the DRC share one of the major water bodies, which is Lake Mweru, which contributes about 10 percent of the country’s fish.

“So we are trying to formalise markets to see to it that production is enhanced and that we are able to conserve our fish,” Dr Seemani noted.

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested eight suspects in connection with drug-related offences in North-Western and Western provinces.

In North-Western Province, Muswila Mukumbi, aged 30, was arrested in Kasumbela area of Kalumbila District for unlawful cultivation of cannabis weighing 170 kilogrammes and unlawful possession of a firearm with six rounds of ammunition.

Also arrested in the same area were Patson Kaloku, Michael Lubelenga, Gertrude Lubelenga and Edward Mulaya. The four have been charged with unlawful cultivation of cannabis plants weighing a combined total of 350 kilogrammes.

In a separate operation in Kapombu area of Mwinilunga District, Maggie Insanga, aged 33, was arrested for unlawful cultivation of cannabis weighing 50 kilogrammes.

Meanwhile, in Western Province, Ululi Mulikita of Limulunga District and Sipopa Sipopa of Mongu District have been charged with trafficking in cannabis weighing 50.2 kilogrammes and 20.5 kilogrammes respectively.

All suspects are currently in lawful custody awaiting court appearances.

DEC Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba has thanked law enforcement partners and members of the public for their continued support and urged citizens to report any suspected drug-related activities.