The Scottish Government has launched a £7.5 million initiative aimed at strengthening inclusive and safe education for children and young women in Zambia, Malawi and Rwanda.

The programme, known as the Realising Inclusive and Safe Education (RISE) initiative, will run for five years.

Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Dr. Kelvin Mambwe, represented by Assistant Director for Teacher Education and Specialised Services Dr. Mwenya Mwamba, described the initiative as an important step toward building equitable education systems across the region.

Dr. Mwamba said Scotland’s investment demonstrates a shared commitment to ensuring that all children have access to learning opportunities, with special attention on helping girls complete secondary and post-secondary education.

Meanwhile, Scottish Government Inclusive Education Lead James McNulty said Scotland and Zambia will strengthen cooperation in promoting equitable education for girls and learners with disabilities.

School to School Zambia Programmes Director Kristina Solum, whose organisation is among the programme implementers, noted that the RISE initiative will support the development of sustainable education programmes that governments can continue even after donor support ends.

Ms. Solum said sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges in inclusive education and called for active participation from all stakeholders.

And Oxfam Zambia Country Director Chitimbwa Chifunda urged stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations and development partners in advancing girls’ education.

The 22 megawatt solar power plant at the Natural Resources Development College (NRDC), is expected to strengthen Zambia’s electricity supply and accelerate the country’s transition towards renewable energy.

The solar plant, developed by Kiyona Energy Limited in partnership with NRDC, was commissioned on March 24, 2026, at a total cost of 17.5 million United States Dollars.

Speaking when a media team led by the Presidential Delivery Unit, paid a courtesy call on him before touring the facility, NRDC College Principal, Melon Mulamfu, praised Government for allowing the college to partner with Kiyona Energy Limited and ZESCO Limited in establishing the solar plant under the Presidential Solar Initiative.

Mr Mulamfu said the project is in line with Cabinet Office Circular Number 13 of 2024, which directed public institutions to adopt solar power systems to help mitigate the country’s electricity deficit and diversify the national energy mix.

“This is a huge energy investment for the agriculture sector and national food security at large,” Mr Mulamfu said.

He explained that apart from the 20 megawatts being injected into the national grid, an additional two megawatts have been dedicated to powering operations at the college.

Mr Mulamfu explained that reliable and sustainable energy will significantly improve the institution’s ability to deliver practical agricultural training through enhanced irrigation systems, modern laboratories, research facilities and agro-processing units essential for preparing students for real-world agricultural challenges.

“Reliable and sustainable energy will significantly enhance the college’s capacity to deliver practical, hands-on agricultural training,” he said.

Mr Mulamfu further said the project will strengthen NRDC’s role as a centre of excellence in climate-smart agriculture by promoting irrigation farming and renewable energy applications in agriculture.

He said the knowledge and skills acquired by students at the institution will ultimately benefit farming communities across the country and contribute to increased agricultural productivity and improved food security.

And Kiyona Energy Limited Head of Projects, Peter Sakala, said the plant is currently injecting 22 megawatts of electricity into the national grid and is capable of supplying power to approximately 15,000 households.

 “The number of solar panels that we have here is 35,420 and they are rated at 650 watts each panel,” Mr Sakala said.

Mr Sakala disclosed that the project was completed within six months from land identification, procurement and construction, adding that about 150 Zambians were employed during the construction phase while 25 workers have since been retained for operations and maintenance.

He further thanked Government and President Hakainde Hichilema for creating an enabling environment that has encouraged investment in renewable energy projects across the country.

Mr Sakala said reforms allowing independent power producers easier access to the national grid, coupled with faster approval processes, have motivated more private sector participation in solar energy generation.

He also revealed that Kiyona Energy Limited is developing additional solar projects in Kaoma, Shangombo, Mbala, Mwense and Lusaka as part of efforts to contribute to the Presidential target of generating 1,000 megawatts of solar power.

Police in Chama District have arrested two security guards in connection with the theft of medicines valued at K12,750 from Nthonko Rural Health Post.

Confirming the development to Zambia News Information Services (ZANIS) Chama, Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba said the suspects, identified as 47-year-old Chiulu Mwandila and 29-year-old Ringford Nyimbili, have been arrested for theft by public servant following investigations into the disappearance of medicines from the health facility.

According to the police follow-up report, the theft occurred between January 1 and February 23, 2026, but was reported to Chama Police Station on April 13, by Chama District Health Medical Director Billiaty Phiri on behalf of Nthonko Rural Health Post.

The report indicated that 17 boxes of Coartem, an anti-malaria medication, were stolen from the facility’s pharmacy room.

“Investigations revealed that entry and exit were gained through a door using a key,” Mr Mweemba said.

He said a breakthrough into the case was made on Tuesday, May 26, after officers recovered the missing pharmacy key from 23-year-old Selina Tembo of Nthonko Village, who is reported to be the girlfriend to one of the suspects, Ringford Nyimbili.

“Further investigations also revealed that one of the suspects, Chiulu Mwandila, allegedly sought the services of a traditional healer identified as Bright Musukwa, in an attempt to evade arrest,” he added.

However, police officers successfully tracked down and apprehended the two suspects, who are currently detained at Chama Police Station pending court proceedings.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Police have since reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that those involved in criminal activities are brought before the courts of law.

President Hakainde Hichilema has received six letters of credence from Ambassadors of Indonesia, Greece, Gabon, Tanzania, Mexico, and Norway.

Speaking when he received the letters of credence from the newly appointed Ambassadors to Zambia, President Hichilema emphasised the importance of countries working together, especially in today’s interconnected world.

He highlighted that Zambia’s foreign policy is anchored on key pillars such as peace and economic stability, underscoring the need for stronger international cooperation based on shared interests.

President Hichilema said instability anywhere in the world, is Zambia’s concern as everyone becomes affected stating that for the betterment of the continent and world at large restoration of peace should be desired.

The Head of State said all the countries must have a holistic approach to work on peace and stability to further enhance cooperation, trade and progress for all.

He urged the leaders of the respective countries to work together, and make the world safer for everyone.

The Head of State has also encouraged embassies without residency in Zambia to establish them in order to foster development, investment and economic cooperation.

And presenting his credentials, Tanzanian High Commissioner, to Zambia Cyprian Luhemeja, hailed Zambia’s growth and governance further pledging to work closely with the government to deepen bilateral relations in sectors such as transport among others.

Indonesian Ambassador to Zambia with residence in Harare, Zimbabwe, Arief Hidayat said his country remains committed to enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the mining and agriculture sectors among others.

Hellenic Republic of Greece Ambassador  to Zambia, Anna Farrou said her country recognises and supports the Zambian government’s efforts towards improving the country’s economy.

She notes that the two countries both serve as pillars of stability highlighting Zambia’s efforts in promoting the region’s peace and stability.

And Gabon Ambassador to Zambia, Edwige Missambo highlighted the importance of Public-Private-Partnerships in advancing the two countries’ economies.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Ambassador to Zambia, Sofie Bjelland, said her country values Zambia’s efforts in peace and stability among other environmental efforts such as climate and energy efforts.

And Mexico’s Ambassador to Zambia, Valdes Bolano, said the two countries share 51 years of diplomatic ties.

Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Hapenga Kabeta, says Zambia is strategically positioned to contribute meaningfully to the critical minerals global transition to green energy among other benefits.

Dr Kabeta says Zambia has an opportunity to increase mineral production and leverage its mineral wealth for economic transformation, industrialisation, job creation and sustainable development as it is endowed with vast minerals.

He pointed out that global transition towards clean energy, digital transformation and advanced manufacturing has significantly increased demand for critical minerals such as copper, cobalt, manganese, graphite, lithium, nickel and rare earth elements.

Dr Kabeta was speaking today, when he officiated at the high level Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Zambia’s National Critical Minerals Strategy (2024 – 2028), organised by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) and Center for Trade, Policy and Development (CTPD), in Lusaka.

He explained that in Zambia, minerals will remain strategic as they are important for national development.

Dr Kabeta further said minerals are now central to the developments of electric motor vehicles, renewable energy technologies, battery storage systems and modern industrial infrastructure.

“Given this background, government developed and launched the Critical Minerals Strategy in 2024 in order to unlock value across the mining value chain while ensuring that mineral resources contribute to inclusive and sustainable national development as expressed in the National Mineral Resource Development Policy and the Eighth National Development Plan,”  he said.

Dr Kabeta reiterated that the future of mining is rapidly evolving and Zambia must position itself strategically to maximise the opportunities presented by the growing demand for critical minerals, further calling for collaboration among stakeholders.

And NRGI Africa Director, Nafi Quashier, said Zambia is already one of Africa’s major copper producers and sits within one of the world’s most important mineral regions.

Ms Quashier noted that as global demand for copper rises to support electrification and renewable energy systems, Zambia’s role in the global energy transition becomes increasingly important.

Ms Quashier encouraged Zambia to cease the moment to drive industrialisation, economic diversification, jobs, innovation and long-term public value.

She explained that today’s dialogue is intended as a working platform for implementation whose purpose is to collectively reflect on progress under the Critical Minerals Strategy.

“To identify opportunities to strengthen implementation and to deepen collaboration among all actors involved in shaping Zambia’s mineral future,” she added.

Ms Quashier disclosed that NRGI wants to support prioritisation and implementation, strengthen monitoring, transparency, accountability, coordination and promote citizen participation.

“We want this dialogue to help Zambia identify its strategic priorities in the international critical minerals space,” she added.

Meanwhile, CTPD Executive Director, Isaac Mwaipopo observed that within the international development sector, Zambia remains guided by various global and regional commitments whose implementation timeliness continue to shape its policy priorities.

“It is my sincere hope that through these engagements, we can continue to support our colleagues at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development in strengthening the governance, regulation and sustainable development of Zambia’s critical minerals sector,” he said.

Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary, Kangwa Chileshe, says the government will continue advocating for an all-inclusive sports sector to ensure that the media covers all sports equally.

Kangwa said this in Lusaka today during a welcoming ceremony for Cyclist James Falanga, who undertook a 34 – day cycling journey from Lusaka to Capetown.

He noted that Falanga, popularly known as One Yeye International’s expedition, captured the hearts and minds of key stakeholders, regional governments and local communities.

The Permanent Secretary added that the Cyclist’s journey of resilience must be a case study in endurance sports.

“Let Yeye’s wheels remind you that the road belongs to everyone, whether you cycle, run, swim or push a wheelchair, your dream is valid,” said Chileshe.

Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, who was also present at the event, encouraged the cyclist noting that his expedition demonstrates what it means to live a purposeful life.

And, Falanga said he has dedicated his 34 days of cycling journey from Lusaka to Capetown to President Hakainde Hichilema, citing his resilience and determination before becoming Head of State.

Falanga, who has been advocating for tourism and visa free access in Africa, has further encouraged youths to remain resilient and maximise on small opportunities through self-belief.

He said he is hopeful that the chiefs he visited during the period of his mission, can attend Zambia’s traditional ceremonies and unlock opportunities through collaboration with the government.

The Cyclist also stated that his journey did not come without challenges, but the support he received along the way made him remain focused.