Parents of youths who have benefited from the latest empowerment programme in Kanchibiya District of Muchinga Province have expressed gratitude for the government’s continued commitment to uplifting young people.

One of the parents, Ruth Kabanda, said the government has remained focused on creating an enabling environment for youths to thrive.

Ms  Kabanda noted that many young people in the district often fall into bad habits such as excessive beer drinking and drug abuse due to lack of opportunities.

“Our children engage in bad acts because they don’t have jobs or capital to start any business,” she said.

She added that the empowerment of over 200 youths in the district is a game changer that will transform their lives.

Ms  Kabanda explained that youths who received loaned motorbikes will venture into transport services to raise income, while those who received grants will be able to start businesses.

She further commended the government, noting that young people are the future leaders of the country and must be given opportunities to succeed.

And another parent, Catherine Chibesa, whose child with a disability also benefited from a grant, said the government continues to support persons with disabilities who face various challenges.

She said she will use the grant to start a business and help meet her child’s needs.

“My child, who is disabled, has benefited from these empowerment programs, and I will use the money to start a business to meet her needs,” she said.

The parents spoke during a handover ceremony of grants, motorbikes under the loan component, and sports kits held at the Kanchibiya District Administration.

Meanwhile, Minister of Youth, Sports and Arts Elvis Nkandu thanked the people of Kanchibiya for working with the government to foster development.

Mr. Nkandu said the development projects taking place in the district show strong collaboration between residents especially the youths and the government of the day.

He expressed confidence that the empowerment initiative will help reduce poverty among young people and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving their living standards through various programmes.

He also urged the youths to continue having faith in government as it delivers on its promises.

And Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Sunday Chanda appealed to the government to consider constructing a modern stadium in the district, saying it would help in identifying and nurturing sports talent among the youth.

Minister Nkandu is currently touring districts in Muchinga Province, empowering youths with grants, loaned motorbikes, and sports kits.

Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo has reiterated Government’s commitment to transforming Agriculture into an economically viable undertaking.

Mr. Mtolo emphasized that achieving this goal requires the country to integrate emerging issues within both the agricultural sector and the broader economy.

He made these remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf by Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Reverend Mathews Chilekwa, during the 43rd graduation ceremony at the Zambia College of Agriculture (ZCA) in Mpika.

Mr Mtolo further said that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue rendering support to the Zambia College in Agriculture so as to continue producing quality and development oriented human resources as part of the transformation agenda.

“I would like to urge the graduating students to make use of the skills and knowledge you have acquired from the College and explore entrepreneur opportunities,” Mr Mtolo said.

And ZCA Principal Alice Tembo says the students who have graduated in the three disciplines are efficiently equipped to transform traditional practices into modern, efficient and competitive systems.

Dr  Tembo said a total of 275 have graduated with 228 having graduated with certificates in General Agriculture while 47 students have graduated with Diplomas in  Sustainable Agriculture and Agricultural Education in conjunction with the Copperbelt University.

“The Zambia College of Agriculture in Mpika district is well positioned in delivering its core mandate and contributing to Zambia’s economic growth through training and production of quality human capital,” Dr Tembo said.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt University (CBU) Vice Chancellor Imasiku Nyambe, in a speech delivered by CBU Dean of the School of Natural Resources, Benjamin Mubemba, urged the government to fill key vacant positions, such as in quality assurance at ZCA, to improve the efficiency of the college’s operations and fulfill its mandate.

Dr Mubemba said that in order to uphold high quality training standards there is need to have in place qualified and motivated  staff equivalent to the student population.

Dr Mubemba has further appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to improve infrastructure at the institution as a way to motivate the Students and the Institution Staff.

Speaking in a vote of thanks former ZCA Student Union President Laison Chabu who was one of the graduates said the granduants have expressed appreciation to ZCA management for the skills and knowledge they have gained.

Mr Chabu said that with the many opportunities that the Government has put across, they will utilize the many opportunities and ensure that they utilize the skills and knowledge they have attained.

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, through the Department of Foreign Trade and the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project, has launched a K3.4 million capacity-building programme to empower beekeepers and honey producers in North Western Province.

The initiative, supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), is aimed at strengthening the apiculture sector and unlocking its full economic potential.

Speaking during the launch in Solwezi today, North Western Province Permanent Secretary Colonel Grandson Katambi (Rtd) said the programme marks a major milestone in efforts to improve productivity, enhance product quality, and boost profitability among local honey producers.

Col. Katambi noted that North Western Province accounts for over 50 percent of Zambia’s total honey production, largely through traditional methods. He said the province’s vast forests and favourable climate create ideal conditions for honey production and export.

However, he highlighted several challenges facing the sector, including weak cooperative governance, limited access to finance, outdated production methods, and failure to meet international quality standards.

“Much of the honey produced in the Province fails to access lucrative international markets because it does not meet the required quality standards,” he said.

Col. Katambi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship as a key driver of poverty reduction and improved livelihoods.

“The Provincial administration will fully support this programme to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes of improved productivity, enhanced quality and increased profitability among honey producers,” he said.

He also outlined broader government plans to strengthen trade and transport infrastructure in the region.

The Permanent Secretary revealed that an agreement is being finalised for the construction of a railway line from Chingola in Copperbelt Province through North Western Province to Luacano in Angola, where it will connect to the Benguela Railway leading to the Port of Lobito on the Atlantic Ocean.

Additionally, the government plans to construct an all-weather road from Mwinilunga to the Jimbe border and establish a One Stop Border Post at Jimbe to facilitate smoother cross-border trade.

“Once completed, this infrastructure will greatly enhance regional integration and trade among the three corridor states,” Col. Katambi said.

Meanwhile, Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project Coordinator Michael Nsunka said North Western Province was chosen for the launch because it produces the majority of Zambia’s honey.

He explained that the new programme will address sector challenges through training, strengthened cooperative governance, and certification support for beekeeping groups. With AfDB support, the programme aims to boost domestic and cross-border trade among Lobito Corridor countries—Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr Nsunka added that the initiative will also promote the participation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in value chains across the agriculture, mining, and construction sectors.

And Mr Trackson Chikonko of Mutanda Agro Product Cooperative commended the government for the initiative, saying it will help local beekeepers build both financial and technical capacity.

A National Civil Society Organisation Coalition on School Health Strategic Plan, which is aimed at providing a roadmap for increased access of health services for learners in Zambia, has been launched.

Speaking at the launch, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on School Health, Twaambo Mutinta, said the strategic plan also recognises the need for increased domestic financing and effective utilisation of local resources such as Constituency Development Funds (CDF).

“It places emphasis on key areas such as mental health, nutrition, hygiene, reproductive health and prevention of gender-based violence, each of which is a critical determinant of education success,” Mr Mutinta said.

He reiterated that his caucus remains committed to working with the civil society organisations and other stakeholders in order to ensure that school health becomes an integral part of national policy and budget framework.

And Head of Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Kusobile Kamwambi, who was represented by PDU Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Tobias Michelo, commended the CSOs for their initiative to supplement the government’s efforts towards social economic development.

Ms Kamwambi added that PDU will continue to support such initiatives and expressed hope that the strategic framework will help strengthen similar projects across the country.

Meanwhile, Healthy Learners Head of Policy and Government Engagement, Muleta Kapatiso, said there is a need to measure the impact of the framework at provincial level in order to put up procedures for improvement within local resources.

Mr Kapatiso added that his institution will support the CSOs to deepen community engagement and create more awareness on how the communities can mobilise themselves and ensure every school in their area has a health room.

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, Lillian Bwalya, says the comprehensive review of the 2018 National Trade Policy has been driven by the continuously evolving economic landscape both domestically and globally.

Mrs Bwalya said there is need to review the policy to match the current economic landscape despite Zambia’s continued improvement mainly in import and export, with export performance supported by increase in traditional export from selected products.

She said it is high time the ministry and other stakeholders reviewed the policy in order to reposition the country in its full advantage of referential treatment in the trading enjoyed under the Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

She said this in a speech read on her behalf by Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Director in charge of Coordination and Delivery, Simmy Chapula, during the stakeholder consultation review of the Zambia National Trade Policy.

Mrs Bwalya further revealed that the recent WTO policy review highlights the urgent need to diversify exports beyond copper, enhance agriculture productivity, and expand participation in services and digital trade.

The Permanent Secretary added that the policy review also looked at bridging the gaps that limit participation, adding that women and youths are critical accelerators of economic growth.

She however said the consultations place particular emphasis on listening to the views of women, youths and persons living with disabilities in order to integrate them into the revised national trade policy and ensuring that the future of trade and policy in Zambia reflects the aspirations and potential of people.

She has since expressed appreciation to Global Affairs Canada and Facilitating Inclusive Resilient and Sustainable Trade (FIRST) Project for their continued support in Zambia’s trade and export agenda.

Meanwhile, FIRST Team Leader, Nadiza Bayat, said the review comes at the right moment in helping to address the economic challenges.

Ms Bayat emphasised the importance of inclusive trade, adding that it drives productivity, strengthens value chains and ensures that growth is sustained.

Farmers who sold maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in the 2025 crop marketing season in Kasenengwa district have started receiving their money.

Speaking in an interview with the media, District Commissioner Rachael Phiri said a total of 3,180 farmers have been paid their monies amounting to over K13.4 million as of last week.

Ms Phiri has since appealed to the farmers that have not yet been paid to exercise patience as the government was working round the clock to ensure that they receive what is owed to them.

“A total of 3,180 farmers that supplied maize to the FRA have received their monies as of last week amounting to K13, 457,980. The payments are on-going and I appeal to the farmers that have not yet been paid to exercise some patience as the government is doing everything possible to ensure that they get what is due to them,” she said.

She further said the agency managed to buy a total of 287,869 bags of maize weighing 50 kilograms each in all the 20 satellite depots that were opened during the just ended marketing season.

The District Commissioner added that the government has secured all the maize hence there is no need to worry about the commodity getting soaked as.

Ms Phiri also meanwhile commended the farmers in the district for turning up in large numbers to sell their maize to the agency saying government normally purchases for strategic reserves.

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to clean energy adoption and sustainable public sector operation.

This follows the successful pre-commissioning inspection of a 100-kilowatt hybrid solar power system at the Public Service Micro-Finance Company (PSMFC) in Roma, Lusaka.

Speaking after the inspection, Acting Secretary to the Cabinet, Oliver Kalabo, described the project as a milestone in government’s efforts to enhance energy efficiency, operational resilience and climate action across public institutions.

The media reports that Dr Kalabo said the solar installation, which integrates battery storage and a hybrid link with the existing generator, is designed to provide a stable power supply to PSMFC’s digital and banking systems.

He said the system will reduce dependency on grid electricity and generator fuel, lower operational costs and cut carbon emissions in line with Zambia’s green economy agenda.

“This milestone underscores government’s steadfast commitment to advancing clean energy solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening sustainability across the public service,” Dr Kalabo said.

He highlighted that the system will operate under a net metering arrangement, allowing the company to feed excess solar power, back into the ZESCO national grid and earn credits to offset electricity costs.

He said the project was implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Energy and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and was complete within the approved timeframe and budget.

“This achievement affirms that public projects can be successfully delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards when they are properly planned, executed, and supervised,” Dr Kalabo said.

The Acting Secretary to the Cabinet commended PSMFC management and institutional partners for professionalism and fiscal discipline, saying the project serves as a benchmark for other public agencies.

He further urged ministries, departments, and agencies to emulate the initiative by investing in renewable energy systems that incorporate hybrid technology, net metering, and strong maintenance programmes to ensure long-term sustainability.

Dr. Kalabo noted that such projects directly support the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and the Green Economy and Environment Policy, both of which prioritise renewable energy adoption and efficient public infrastructure.

He was particularly happy that Smart Energy, a Zambian company, that installed the system used four interns from the University of Zambia (UNZA )’s school of engineering of which two were female .

He urged government training institutions to focus on equipping young graduates with such knowledge.

Meanwhile, Public Service Micro Finance Company Limited Chief Executive Officer Mubanga Mwiko (CEO) said the project was done at total coast of K4.3 million.

He said the installation of the hybrid solar system had reduced the operational coast at the company.

Project manager Oscar Kabwe stated that this solar system will allow the microfinance institution to save about K80, 000 in electricity expenses each month.

The 100kw hybrid solar system at PSMFC is expected to be fully commissioned before the end of 2025.