The Alliance Against Corruption (AAC) Executive Director Noel Chisebe says the Kwacha appreciation reflects Zambia’s improving economic fundamentals, increased investor confidence, and effective economic management.

Dr Chisebe has told the media in an interview in Kabwe that the Kwacha appreciation was good for the country because it boosts the purchasing power and attracts investment while reducing inflation.

He added that the performance of the Kwacha was a testament to Zambia’s progress, and not a weakness as asserted by some sections of society.

“A strong currency encourages business growth and access to cheaper imports and stimulates entrepreneurship and job creation. This encourages savings and investments, securing Zambia’s economic future,” he said.

Dr Chisebe urged policy makers to leverage this momentum to promote economic diversification, and ensure benefits reach all Zambians.

“Our policy maker’s goal should be to convert short-term gains from improved investor confidence and strong copper receipts into long-term plans,” Dr Chisebe said.

He dismissed fears by some sections of society that the kwacha appreciation will negatively affect the local industries but instead will bolster the imports.

He further cautioned that the situation if not well managed could trigger closure of factories consequently resulting in increased dependence on imported goods

First National Bank (FNB) and Dutch FMO Entrepreneurial Development Bank, have signed a 50 million United States Dollars financing facility that will play a critical role in supporting climate action and green growth while driving economic development.

The media reports that speaking during the ceremony, Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Mposha, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Douty Chibamba, says green finance contributes to environmental protection and creates jobs that ensure inclusive growth.

“This facility aligns well with Zambia’s green growth strategy, our national adaptation plan as well as our pledges under the nationally determined contributions. it also reflects the growing recognition that climate finance must reach businesses on the ground,” he said.

Mr Mposha expressed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for sustainable finance through continued collaboration with development partners and the private sector.

FMO Entrepreneurial Development Bank Manager, Angelica Haas, disclosed that the funds support investments in climate smart agricultural solutions, efficient water, off-grid solar systems and sustainable forestry products and projects.

Ms added that it will leverage the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to provide technical assistance to FNB in order to strengthen its capabilities for appraising and identifying climate mitigation and adaptation projects and investments.

Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands, Ilyaas Sherally, said the empowerment initiative is a demonstration of a strong and growing relationship between the Netherlands and Zambia.

He added that the Dutch grappled with the effects of climate change and that it has gained significant experience that has made it become a global leader in climate adaptation and resilience whose expertise is ready to be shared worldwide.

Meanwhile, FNB Chief Executive Officer, Kapumpe Chola said the financing facility, that will be dispersed through FNB Zambia standard frameworks to qualifying applicants, reinforces the role of financial institutions as enablers of sustainable development.

The climate smart initiative has been made possible by FMO Entrepreneurial Development Bank and Dutch Fund for Climate and Development, with cooperating partners that include, FNB, WWF and the Bank of Zambia.

The 14^th Joint Permanent Commission meeting on Defence and Security has opened in Lubumbashi with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reaffirming their commitment to regional security and peace.

The media reports that Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Maambo Hamaundu, alongside his counterpart and Co-Chairperson, Jean Baelongandi, officially opened the meeting of Senior Officials from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Lubumbashi today.

The meeting is being held from January 13 to 16, 2026.

Speaking during the meeting, the two countries emphasised that regional security depends on proactive cooperation and shared commitments.

In his remarks, Mr Hamaundu underscored the importance of regional cooperation and peace, and recognised the DRC government’s dedication to maintaining cordial relations with Zambia.

Mr Haamaundu said it is also important to strengthen bilateral ties amidst challenging regional socio-economic conditions.

He reaffirmed Zambia’s dedication to ongoing collaboration with the DRC and emphasised that the two countries should maintain peace and security along their shared borders and across the broader region.

Mr Hamaundu further acknowledged the longstanding pleasant relations between the two nations dating back to their shared history during pre-independence struggles.

And Jean Baelongandi, the Chief of Staff of the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Security and Traditional Affairs, noted that Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are brotherly countries that share common interests and values.

Mr Baelongandi, who is also the Co-Chairman of the 14^th JPC meeting, noted that it is the duty of the two countries to work closely in finding solutions to issues that threaten peace and security.

The meeting underscores the two nations’ resolve to work together in tackling security threats and fostering stability despite the prevailing socio-economic hardships faced.

Government has signed a contract worth over One Hundred and Thirty-Two Million Kwacha with Kailjee Construction Zambia Limited for the rehabilitation and upgrade of approximately 8.31 kilometers of selected roads in Livingstone to bituminous standard.

The media reports that Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga disclosed that the project is being implemented under the Zambia Green, Resilient, and Transformational Tourism Development Project (GREAT-TDP) with the 100 Million United States Dollar Loan Financing Facility from the World Bank.

Mr Muhanga said the primary objective of the project is to improve access to resilient infrastructure in selected tourism development areas of Livingstone so as to enhance economic opportunities in the tourist capital.

He described the project as critical, noting that it will contribute to the improvement of the tourist capital and enhance the city’s infrastructure, improve mobility and access to tourism facilities for visitors.

Mr Muhanga said the government remains committed to providing high-quality infrastructure that facilitates economic growth, employment opportunities and improved service delivery.

The Permanent Secretary has since implored the contractor Kailjee Construction Zambia to strictly adhere to the contract specifications and to exhibit the highest quality of workmanship.

Meanwhile, Kailjee Construction Zambia Limited Project Engineer Tanaka Charumbira assured the Ministry of Tourism that the company will deliver to the expectations of the government.

He said the company was excited to be awarded the contract, adding that it will endeavor to complete the project within the stipulated time frame.

Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General, Fredrick Chilukutu, has disclosed that the country’s inmate population has exceeded 28,000, far surpassing the facilities’ holding capacity of 12,000.

Mr Chilukutu said of the current inmate population across the Country, 5,035 are males while 251 are females with their cases at different stages.

He added that the Correctional Service has in its care 455 children with 144 were ordered whereas 311 were remand children in conflict with the law and their cases were at different trial stages.

Mr Chilukutu said this in a Speech read on his behalf by Zambia Correctional Service Deputy Commissioner General Bwalya Kuyomba during the official opening of the 2026 Chinsali High Court Criminal Session held at Chinsali Magistrate Court in Muchinga Province.

The Commissioner General stated that in an effort to reduce overcrowding and to see to it that inmates were kept in a conducive environment, Government has started building and rehabilitating old correctional facilities.

He cited the recently constructed correctional facility in Mwembeshi with holding capacity of 1,800 done through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) and the Nansanga Correctional facility in Serenje with holding capacity of 1, 600 inmates as some of the interventions to reduce congestion in prison and correctional facilities among others.

“I wish to reaffirm the Zambia Correctional Service’s commitment to ensuring the humane custody of inmates, their effective rehabilitation, and proper reintegration,” Mr Chilukutu said.

Mr Chilukutu added that the service will continue to work in collaboration with the Judiciary to ensure that justice was continuously served to inmates.

Chinsali High Court Judge in-Charge Willie Sinyangwe highlighted that the criminal cases handled during the High Court in Chinsali District in 2025 included murder, manslaughter, vandalism and aggreviated robbery among other cases.

Justice Sinyangwe said murder cases emanated from accusing persons to be witches and wizards, adding that there was need to enhance community sensitization on the dangers of taking law into their hands.

He called on the Provincial Administration, the media and other stakeholders to intensify on community sensitization and help people understand the severity of the punishment for murder so they can desist from taking law in their hands.

Justice Sinyangwe revealed that in the year 2025 the High Court had 261 criminal cases with 89 criminal cases brought forward from the year 2024 and 172 new cases out of which 205 were disposed off, adding that 56 have been carried forward into 2026.

“Under the Civic Jusrisdiction of the Subordinate Courts,112 cases were brought forward from the year 2024 and received 647 in 2025 making a total of 759 cases out of which 669 were disposed off with 90 carried forward into 2026,” he said.

Justice Sinyangwe further revealed that the Local Courts in the Province had brought forward 412 civil cases from 2024 and recorded 4,074 new cases in 2025 totaling to 4, 486 out of which 4,320 were disposed off and 166 have been brought forward into 2026.

He further said the local court had 15 criminal cases brought forward from the year 2024 and received 357 cases totaling to 372 of which 363 have been disposed off.

Chinsali High Court Judge also bemoaned the shortage of space in the correctional facilities in Muchinga Province.

Justice Sinyangwe said Isoka Correctional facility was the most congested facility of the 4 facilities in the province as it catered for Nakonde and Mafinga Districts.

He has called on Government to consider building new facilities and rehabilitating existing ones.

Meanwhile, Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Reverend Mathews Chilekwa said Provincial Administration was committed to addressing challenges faced by the Judiciary in the Province.

Rev Chilekwa stated that the mandate of the Provincial Administration was to coordinate the implementation of government programs and policies, saying the mandate cuts across areas of governance including the Judiciary.

“In this vein, as Provincial Administration we will endeavor to collaborate with various line ministries and agencies to address the number of challenges faced by the Judiciary,” he said.

Rev Chilekwa however charged that Government through the Provincial Administration will not tolerate any lawlessness of whatever form before, during and after elections.

“I am confident that the judiciary and all security wings are equal to the task to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and to remain patriotic so that we continue to enjoy the peace we attained 62 years ago,”he said.