A civil society organisation has called for a five-month extension period of the ongoing voter registration exercise by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
ECZ recently announced that it had so far recorded over 1.2 million new voter registrations from phase one to four, which includes new voters updates to existing records.
The commission set a target of registering 3.5 million new voters during the mass voter registration exercise, scheduled to close on 11th November 2025.
But Centre for Elections and Governance Executive Director, Gershom Musonda, has described the number as low, adding that the one-month period allocated is insufficient.
Speaking in an interview with the media in Lusaka, Mr Musonda attributed low number of voters registered during the exercise to limited resources allocated to the commission.
Mr Musonda has since called for increased resource allocation to ECZ through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to enable it to allocate more time to the voter registration exercise.
“Voting fosters development, hence the use of CDF to support voter registration is justifiable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Musonda has called on political parties and civil society organisations to participate in voter education, adding that it is not the sole responsibility of ECZ.
He noted that some political parties are focused on conflicts within their structures, paying less attention to the mass voter registration.
Mr Musonda further stressed that ECZ is a non-partisan body which needs the support of both the ruling and opposition to achieve its voter registration targets.
“I am calling on the opposition to be visible in mobilisation of eligible voters to register, instead of focusing on differences in their parties. They are the ones who want to get into power. If they don’t support this exercise, where will the numbers come from? They will not just drop into the ballot boxes,” he said.
Acting Secretary to the Treasury and National Authorising Officer of the European Development Fund, Mulele Mulele, has observed that the Lobito Corridor has an enormous potential to transform Zambia’s economy.
Mr Mulele has however said the Lobito corridor development must remain balanced, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.
He noted that the corridor is expected to unlock trade and investment opportunities, particularly in the mining and transport sectors, while enhancing regional connectivity and value addition.
Mr Mulele added that the project will also open up new prospects for job creation, industrial growth and infrastructure development thereby positioning Zambia as a key player in regional and global supply chains.
He was speaking in Lusaka today during the European Union and National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund stakeholder consultation workshop on the Scoping Study Report for the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Lobito Economic Corridor.
He explained that the European Union commissioned the study to analyse the potential environmental and social impacts of the Lobito Corridor.
“If not properly managed, these opportunities could come with unintended consequences, including environmental degradation and public health risks,” he said.
Mr Mulele noted that the government, through the Environmental Management Act, will ensure that all development along the corridor adheres to sustainable environmental standards.
And EU Delegation to Zambia and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Head of Cooperation, Claudio Bacigalupi, has reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to ensuring that the Lobito Corridor becomes a catalyst for sustainable development, economic growth, and community empowerment across Southern and Central Africa.
Mr Bacigalupi said the corridor’s development is not merely about providing a faster route for mineral exports but about connecting markets, empowering communities, and creating decent jobs.
“It is about connecting markets, unlocking opportunities, and fostering job creation to all while preserving the natural environment and uplifting local communities,” he said.
He added that through improved rail and road infrastructure, the initiative will help reduce logistical bottlenecks and support key sectors such as agriculture, energy and mining.
“Every investment under the Global Gateway framework is designed to consider environmental impacts, promote climate resilience, and advance a cleaner, more circular global economy,” Mr Bacigalupi stated.
A 17-YEAR-OLD boy of Namwala is on the run after allegedly raping and murdering his 27-year-old uncle’s wife.
Southern Province police commanding officer Auxensio Daka said the teenager is suspected to have feigned illness at school and returned home, where he allegedly carried out the wicked act.
The incident happened on Tuesday and Mr Daka said the suspect was one of the nephews under the care of his uncle but slept in a different house within the same yard.
Mr Daka said the suspect’s uncle, 29, left home in the morning for work and returned after midday, only to find his wife lying in a pool of blood, half-dressed with an axe and a pounding stick bearing bloodstains beside her body.
“The body was found with multiple deep cuts on the head and indications of a possible sexual assault.
“A trail of bloodstains was observed leading from the main house to the house where the two nephews sleep. Clothes suspected to belong to the 17-year-old nephew, together with a tight-fitting undergarment of his aunt, were found with bloodstains inside that house,” he said in a statement.
Mr Daka said a manhunt has been launched for the suspect.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it is still assessing the progress of the ongoing mass voter registration exercise and will only decide whether to extend the registration period after reviewing detailed reports from the field. According to the Commission, various monitoring teams have been deployed across the country to track the performance of all registration centres and gather information on turnout, logistical efficiency, and operational challenges.
So far, the ECZ has recorded a total of 1,224,072 voter registrations from phases one to four of the exercise, which officially commenced on 13 October 2025. The cumulative figure includes 567,425 new voters who are registering for the first time and 656,647 individuals who have updated their details through transfers, replacements of lost or damaged cards, and corrections to existing records. The Commission says the numbers reflect steady participation from the public, although mobilisation from various stakeholders is still encouraged to meet national targets.
In its update, the ECZ highlighted a significant improvement in the reliability of the registration equipment compared to earlier phases. During phases three and four, less than one percent of registration centres reported technical difficulties, a development the Commission attributes to enhanced supervision and timely deployment of technical support teams. This stability has contributed to smoother operations in most districts.
Provincial turnout continues to vary, with Copperbelt Province recording the highest number of registrations at 179,956. This is followed closely by Eastern Province, which has recorded 157,780, and Southern Province, which stands at 157,317. Other provinces such as Lusaka, Central, and Luapula have also shown strong participation. On the lower end of the scale, Muchinga Province has so far registered 67,181, while North-Western Province has recorded 93,330, making them the two provinces with the least registrations to date.
The Commission has reaffirmed its objective of registering 3.5 million additional eligible voters by the end of the exercise. It has urged political parties, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and community groups to intensify awareness campaigns and ensure that eligible citizens in both rural and urban areas are informed and encouraged to register.
The ECZ has also reminded members of the public that anyone who registered in 2020 or during the continuous voter registration period does not need to register again unless they have moved to a different location or lost or damaged their voter’s card.
Meanwhile, the inspection of the 2026 provisional register of voters is scheduled for February 2026, with final certification of the register expected on 30 April 2026.
ZESCO Managing Director, Engineer Justine Loongo, has reassured the nation that despite the ongoing electricity challenges caused by significantly low power generation, the power utility will continue to provide a minimum of three hours of electricity supply per day to consumers across the country. His assurance comes at a time when Zambia is grappling with reduced water levels in major reservoirs, a situation that has negatively affected the country’s ability to generate adequate hydroelectric power.
Speaking in an interview with the media, Engineer Loongo explained that the persistent low water levels in key reservoirs have placed the national electricity system under pressure, forcing ZESCO to maintain restricted supply schedules. He stated that although the available power generation capacity has declined, the company has put measures in place to ensure that households, particularly those in low-density areas, still receive the minimum three hours of electricity supply daily.
Engineer Loongo emphasized that the three-hour minimum supply threshold will remain in effect until there is a noticeable improvement in reservoir levels. He further noted that any incremental increase in power availability will depend on improved water inflows, which are directly linked to upcoming rainfall patterns. According to him, ZESCO is closely monitoring hydrological indicators to determine how much power can be reliably generated and distributed at any given time.
He added that the utility company is committed to maintaining stability in its load-management schedule to prevent unexpected disruptions. Engineer Loongo revealed that high-density residential areas will continue to receive extended supply windows, with at least ten hours of electricity per day. This, he said, is meant to cushion the impact of reduced power generation on communities that rely heavily on electricity for daily activities.
The ZESCO Managing Director also highlighted that the power utility is constantly reviewing generation trends, rainfall forecasts, and inflow projections to ensure that supply adjustments are made transparently and in the best interest of consumers. He reiterated that the company’s ability to increase electricity availability will depend entirely on improvements in reservoir levels and the stability of the water sources that power the nation’s hydroelectric plants.
Engineer Loongo said ZESCO will continue to update the public on any changes to supply schedules as the
A 26-year-old man from Lundazi District has died by suicide following the recent death of his wife, who passed away just hours after giving birth to their baby boy. Eastern Province police commanding officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Lianitso Nkhoma, a resident of Lundazi whose death has left a one-month-old infant behind.
According to Mr Mweemba, the incident occurred on November 4, 2025, at approximately 14:00 hours. Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr Nkhoma is believed to have ingested a pesticide commonly used for preserving maize grain. Police say the substance, often stored by households for crop protection, is suspected to have been the cause of death. Officers who attended the scene reported that the deceased’s vomit had a strong chemical smell consistent with such pesticides, and tablets believed to be the same substance were discovered lying beside his body.
Mr Mweemba explained that the background to the incident dates back to October, when Mr Nkhoma lost his wife, Susan Mbewe. She reportedly died shortly after delivering their baby boy, a development that left the young father deeply distressed. The police commanding officer stated that since his wife’s passing, Mr Nkhoma had repeatedly shared his worries about the future and his ability to care for the newborn child on his own. Relatives and acquaintances were aware of his concerns, though there was no indication reported at the time that he might take his own life.
The body of Mr Nkhoma was discovered by Phillip Nali, a relative who alerted authorities immediately after finding him unresponsive. Officers from Mwase Police Post responded to the report and visited the scene to conduct a detailed physical inspection. During the assessment, police found no signs of a struggle, no visible injuries, and no evidence suggesting involvement of any other person. Based on the observations and the circumstances at the scene, police say no foul play is suspected in the matter.
Following the inspection, the body was released to family members for burial. Police noted that the relatives declined a post-mortem examination, opting instead to proceed directly with funeral arrangements. An inquiry file has been opened to document the events surrounding the death and maintain official records of the case.
Mr Mweemba further disclosed that the surviving one-month-old baby is currently under the care of Mr Phillip Nali, the deceased’s uncle, while the family continues to manage the situation following the tragedy.
President Hakainde Hichilema has today sworn in newly appointed officials, among them, Luxon Kazabu, as Chairperson of the Local Government Service Commission and Ephraim Munshifwa, as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy.
Others sworn in are Fred Hamaamba as Deputy Inspector General of Police for Operations and Charity Munganga as Deputy Inspector General of Police for Administration.
Speaking during the ceremony at State House today, President Hichilema called for hard work and diligence among those appointed.
He urged them to embrace a culture of teamwork and prioritise the interest of Zambians in their duties.
The Head of State has further warned against misconduct, stressing the importance of dignity and professionalism among public office bearers.
“By accepting these roles, you are accepting everything that comes with it, respecting citizens, those are the ones we work for. Sometimes we forget, we think we are bigger than citizens. We are actually servants of the citizens, including these media colleagues that you see,” President Hichilema emphasised.
And speaking in an interview with journalists shortly after being sworn in, Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary, Ephraim Munshifwa pledged to ensure continuity of the ministry’s strategic plan in order to actualise energy reforms.
Professor Munshifwa noted that government is already working on energy reforms, adding that the strategic plan will serve as a guide to promote renewable energy projects.
“The focus is to work with colleagues and ensure the planned projects come to fruition because that is where we are going to get our solutions from,” he explained.
And new Local Government Service Commission Chairperson, Luxon Kazabu pledged a zero-tolerance stance against mismanagement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Mr Kazabu has since warned that indiscipline will not be condoned, further promising to ensure quality service delivery in local authorities.
“I am aware that there are local authorities that have not been utilising the Constituency Development Fund properly. So, I will hit the ground running,” he said.
He has also indicated his plans to uphold teamwork and build the capacity of officers to ensure quality service delivery.
Lusaka City Council (LCC) Public Relations Manager, Chola Mwamba, says the local authority is fulfilling its mandate of removing street vendors from selling in the streets.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with the media, Ms Mwamba said from July to October this year, more than 400 vendors have been removed from the streets for illegally operating in the Central Business District (CBD) and 78 of them appeared before the Fast Track Court and were fined.
She also said the council is not working alone to clean up the streets, but with other agencies such as the Zambian Police, to ensure vendors operate in their rightful places.
She has since encouraged removed vendors to go to the council so that they can be allocated space in vacant marketplaces.
Ms Mwamba reiterated that removing vendors from the streets is meant to avoid littering and diseases, especially that the rain season is imminent.
She has meanwhile called on the media and public health experts to help in the sensitisation the public about the consequences of living in a dirty environment.
“It involves educating the public and traders to change their attitudes towards cleanliness and adherence to regulations,” she said.
Ms Mwamba has further urged both the public and vendors to take personal responsibility saying waste is accumulated when trading is being done along the streets, making it difficult for the council to manage.
She however explained that the council is actively building new markets within the city, citing the Simon Mwewa Lane market and the upcoming Big Mama market (formerly known as Munyaule) as examples of what the local authority is working on in the background.
Police in Lundazi District have picked up 14 arsonists who torched nine houses in an on-going land wrangle in Pono Village of Mwase Chiefdom, resulting in loss of property worthy over K105,000.
The incident happened between November 3, 2025, and November 4, 2025, around 21:00 hours.
And Eastern province Police Commissioner, Robertson Mweemba has confirmed the arson case during a media briefing in Lundazi District.
Duncan Banda, 34, of Pono village told police that his four grass thatched houses were set on fire by people he knew and named Titus Banda, Charles Bilima as some of them, all of Pono village in Mwase chiefdom.
He told police that household property valued at K25,550 was lost in the inferno, some maliciously damaged while some got looted.
Two other grass thatched houses belonging to Fred Banda, were also set ablaze by the same suspected arsonists where household property that included 10 bags of fertilizer, 50 bags of maize grain all valued at K80,000 were stolen.
According to police, the fracas started when police two days ago followed up on a matter which was reported last month from Fred Banda, 36, who reported of destruction to his property by known persons.
“Police managed to apprehend two suspects but as they tried to pull out with the suspects, they were challenged and one suspect managed to escape whilst handcuffed,” Mr Mweemba stated.
One of the suspects’ children went and attacked the house for the victim, demanding their father gets released from police custody, further going ahead to torch nine grass thatched houses, damaging property belonging to Fred Banda, looted some and also attacked the victim’s family members.
It took a combined police team from Lumezi, Chasefu and Lundazi to quell the fracas and picked 14 suspects while investigation into the matter continues.
The Football Association of Zambia has appointed Moses Sichone as head coach of the Chipolopolo senior national team. The appointment was confirmed in a press statement issued on 5 November 2025 from Football House in Lusaka. Sichone had been serving as assistant coach under former manager Avram Grant and now takes full charge of the national team technical bench.
According to the release, Sichone will be supported by a team made up of former international teammates drawn from various eras of Chipolopolo history. Andrew Sinkala, who was based in Germany, comes in as one of the assistants. Sinkala previously featured for Bundesliga clubs during his playing career including Bayern Munich, FC Koln, Augsburg, and SC Paderborn, and transitioned into coaching after retirement. Sinkala holds a UEFA B Plus licence and is currently coaching at FC Hennef, after previously coaching at TFC Cologne.
Andrew Sinkala
Perry Mutapa joins the same technical setup. Mutapa is currently in charge of Green Eagles Football Club and was a member of the famous 1999 Under-20 team alongside Sinkala. That group impressed at the 1999 FIFA Under-20 World Cup under coach Patrick Phiri and went on to graduate into the senior squad after those performances. Mutapa will now serve as part of the senior national team coaching staff.
Perry Mutapa
2012 Africa Cup winning goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene is included as goalkeeper coach. Mweene is currently serving as goalkeeper coach at Mamelodi Sundowns. His inclusion adds a member of the 2012 AFCON winning group to the new team. FAZ stated that the quality of experience from the playing careers of the technical members was among the reasons for selection.
Kennedy Mweene
Former Chipolopolo defender and veteran Joseph Musonda has been designated as fitness coach. Noel Mwandila has been named as strikers coach. The structure is meant to manage the national team’s immediate competitive assignments including the coming November FIFA window.
Noel Mwandila
FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande stated that the technical lineup will be responsible for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations assignment. He said the decision was influenced by the time sensitive nature of coaching selection during this period. He explained that the Association wanted to install confidence in local resources who already carry global exposure from their playing careers. He added that the technicians have been monitored as they transitioned into coaching and that the Association believed they carry enough applied experience.
The newly appointed technical bench will manage Zambia in two friendly matches in November. Zambia will face South Africa on 15 November during the FIFA window and will also play Burundi on 18 November. Those matches will be the first official assignments for the new coaching contingent. These fixtures will form part of preparatory work for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Football Association of Zambia indicated that the appointments mark the beginning of a new chapter for the national team. The release confirmed that this group will direct the Chipolopolo project going forward. The statement can be attributed to the office of the Head of Media and Communications at the Association.
Full Statement Below
Press Statement (For Immediate Release) Football Association of Zambia Football House, Lusaka 5th November 2025
FAZ UNVEILS NEW CHIPOLOPOLO TECHNICAL BENCH
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced Chipolopolo great and current assistant coach Moses Sichone as new Chipolopolo gaffer.
Sichone will be assisted by his contemporaries from his playing days Andrew Sinkala, who until now was based in Germany and former international Perry Mutapa who is in charge of Green Eagles Football Club.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations winning goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene will be the goalkeeper coach while Noel Mwandila becomes the strikers’ coach.
Chipolopolo legend Joseph Musonda will be the fitness coach.
FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande says the ensemble will be in charge of the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations assignment.
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is excited to announce the new chapter of the Chipolopolo which sees the youthful and dynamic quartet of Moses Sichone, Andrew Sinkala, Perry Mutapa and Kennedy Mweene appointed in charge of the Chipolopolo project,” says Shepande.
“FAZ considered the unique circumstances of scouting for a coach in the short term and opted to install confidence in local resources with great international exposure. The combined assemblage of our new technical bench has enough experience from their playing days in top leagues. Collectively their transitioning to coaching after their playing days has been admirable and has been under our watch over the years.”
Sichone was a longtime assistant coach to Avram Grant while Sinkala who once starred for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, FC Koln, Augsburg and SC Paderbon among others transitioned to coaching in Germany after hanging his boots.
Sinkala and Mutapa famously played together at the 1999 Under-20 FIFA World Cup under coach Patrick Phiri and were elevated to the senior squad after their exploits at the tournament.
Sinkala holds a UEFA B Plus Licence, which is a new level in the coaching certification and his current coaching job is at FC Hennef and previously coached at TFC Cologne.
Mweene is currently goalkeeper coach at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Their first assignment will be the November 15 and 18 FIFA window international friendlies which will see Zambia play South Africa and Burundi respectively.
For and on behalf of: FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA Nkweto Tembwe HEAD OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONSs
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has recorded over one million new voters in the ongoing mass registration of voters exercise.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer, Brown Kasaro, announced that provisional statistics as of October 31, 2025, indicated a provisional total of 1,224,072 registrations recorded in phases one to four of the mass registration of voters exercise.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr Kasaro explained that there has been an increase in the turnout of people registering to vote especially in the third and fourth phases of the exercise.
He said this demonstrates that the measures which the commission has put in place are yielding positive results.
He said the commission has been focusing on sensitisation, voter education and publicity in order to enhance its efforts to inform the public about the ongoing mobile mass registration of voters.
As regards to equipment challenges, Mr Kasaro disclosed that many districts are reporting stability of the equipment.
In the case of voter registration period and calls for extension, Mr Kasaro explained that the commission continues to closely monitor the exercise and appropriate decisions will be made to determine any extension.
He has thanked the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship (DNRPC), under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, for conducting the mobile National Registration Card (NRC) issuance exercise alongside the ongoing mobile voter registration across all ten provinces.
“The exercise has been extended beyond the initial 90-day period to ensure coverage of areas that were previously not adequately reached for NRC registration,” he added.
Mr Kasaro pointed out that the Copperbelt Province recorded the highest number of registrations at 179,956 followed by Eastern and Southern Provinces at 157,780 and 157,317 respectively, whereas Muchinga and Northwestern provinces recorded the lowest at 67, 181 and 93,330 respectively.
“It is important to note, however, that the provinces with the highest or lowest registration figures do not necessarily reflect better or poorer performance. These variations are influenced by factors such as the total number of eligible voters in each province, which differ significantly from one province to another,” he added.
He applauded all eligible Zambians who have turned up to register as voters and is encouraging those who have not yet registered to visit their nearest registration centres to register as voters.
Mr Kasaro has also called on all stakeholders to continue to raise awareness regarding the exercise.
He further disclosed that the inspection of the 2026 provisional register of voters will take place in February 2026 at all registration centres, adding that the inspection exercise will provide an opportunity for every registered voter and citizens to validate the register of voters before its certification which is scheduled for April 30, 2026.
“The commission reaffirms its commitment to conducting a transparent, inclusive and credible voter registration process, anchored on professionalism and service to the nation as we prepare for the 2026 general election,” Mr Kasaro added.
Four elderly people in Mungwi District of Northern Province have been murdered in separate incidents on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
Northern Province Police Commanding Officer, Lucky Munkhondya, has confirmed the matter in a statement issued to the media in Mungwi today.
Ms Munkhondya has identified the deceased as Lunshano Chisanga 84, and his wife Lucia Mulenga 82, both of Kamena area in Mungwi District.
Others are Joseph Nkole 59, of Kawanga Village, and Joseph Mwila 65, of Chibabo Village in Paramount Chief Chitimukulu’s Chiefdom.
Ms Munkhondya explained that in the first incident which occurred on October 31, 2025, the elderly couple was attacked by their last-born son, Chileshe Chisanga 35, together with two unidentified men at their farm in Kamena area.
She said the suspects dragged Mr Chisanga from his grass-thatched house and killed him before hiding his body under the bed.
Ms Munkhondya revealed that when Mrs Mulenga questioned the act, the suspects turned on her, stabbing her with a spear on the left rib and pouring an unknown substance into her eyes before fleeing the scene.
She added that Mrs Mulenga managed to narrate the ordeal to another son before she succumbed to her injuries.
In another incident which occurred on November 2, 2025, Joseph Nkole of Chiwanga Village in Sub Chief Chimba’s chiefdom was murdered by Isaac Chanda of the same village on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
It is alleged that Mr Nkole was asleep in his house around 18:00 hours when the suspect entered and struck him on the head with a machete.
As he attempted to flee, a female witness screamed, prompting the suspect to strangle her before escaping to an unknown destination.
Meanwhile, police have also retrieved the body of Joseph Mwila of Chibabo Village in Paramount Chief Chitimukulu’s Chiefdom, who was killed and partially burnt by a mob on similar allegations.
Ms Munkhondya explained that Mr Mwila and two others had been accused of causing the death of Chrispin Mwila 54, who died on October 31.
The deceased had earlier fled the area but returned during Chrispin’s burial, a move that angered mourners who attacked and killed him before setting part of his body on fire.
During the incident, Emmanuel Mwila 24, son of the deceased, was also assaulted by the mob as he tried to rescue his father.
Police have since picked up the four bodies and deposited them in Mungwi Baptist Health Centre Mortuary.
Ms Munkhondya said arrests have been made in connection with the murder of the couple and that of Joseph Nkole.
She has since warned members of the public against taking the law in their own hands.
Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Elias Mubanga, has said government is fully supporting Infratel in its works of digital transformation on micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Infratel is a telecommunication infrastructure provider in Zambia that owns and operates more than 1,200 communication towers, three data centres, a wide range of cloud services and operates Optic Fibre network.
Mr Mubanga said digital transformation in MSMEs is a journey towards an inclusive, innovative and digitally empowered economy where Zambians benefit from their country’s wealth.
He noted that the government is actively working to support entrepreneurs, including those in rural areas, to take the right step to participate in the digital transformation.
He said this at the 5th MSME digital open day in Lusaka.
Mr Mubanga further stated that government will continue to align its policies with Infratel demands.
Speaking at the same event, Infratel Chief Executive Officer, Evans Silavwe, observed that digital transformation is essential for micro small medium enterprise (MSME) to grow, compete, and remain relevant in today’s global marketplace.
Mr Silavwe said the digital transformation programme, which was initiated four years ago, has shifted the narrative from “too small for digital” to MSMEs building online brands, selling through social platforms and recognising the importance of digital visibility.
He noted that Infratel plans to launch a Zambian sovereign cloud platform for MSMEs by the end of 2025, which will offer secure data storage, business software, remote work support, and e-commerce capabilities to enhance digital capability.
Mr Silavwe has since encouraged MSMEs to embrace digital tools, expand their market reach, and focus on scaling their businesses, as their growth contributes to Zambia’s economic transformation.
The 2025 MSME Digital Open Day is a platform for Zambian entrepreneurs to learn about the impact of technology on their businesses.
The theme for this year is, ‘Digital Transformation: A strategic Imperative for MSMEs’
A 15 year- old girl of David Village in Maguya Chiefdom of Chipata District of Eastern Province, has been defiled and impregnated by her 16 year old cousin.
The said girl is currently two months pregnant, according to East Police Chief, Robertson Mweemba.
The father to the juvenile, Robert Jere, reported the matter to Chipata Central Police Station after discovering that the girl had been defiled and impregnated.
Initially, the girl refused to tell her parents when they questioned her upon noticing some physiological changes in her body.
“The juvenile’s sleeping habits compelled the parents to interrogate her. Although at first she refused, ran away and spent a night in the bush,” Mr Mweemba disclosed in statement to the media.
He indicated that a police medical report form was issued to the child after the father reported the matter to One Stop Centre.
Mr Mweemba added that the docket has been opened for the case although no arrests have been made so far.
A delegation from the World Bank, led by Task Team Leader, Hongyu Yang, has arrived in Western Province to assess the progress of the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP) and the Zambia Early Education Learning (ZEEL) programme.
The team, accompanied by the Ministry of Education Director of Early Childhood Education, Charm Kalimbika, and officials from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, paid a courtesy call on Western Province Permanent Secretary, Simomo Akapelwa, to discuss the implementation of the projects.
The media reports that through ZEEP and ZEEL, the World Bank is funding the construction of 22 secondary schools and 34 Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers in Western Province, comprising 17 hubs and 17 satellite centers.
Mr Kalimbika indicated that the projects form part of a broader national effort to build 120 secondary schools and 440 ECE centers across Zambia.
He added that initiatives further aim to expand access to quality education and improve learning outcomes for children in the province.
The World Bank mission will provide an opportunity to evaluate the progress made so far and identify areas for further improvement.
Western Province Permanent Secretary, Simomo Akapelwa, has urged the Provincial Education Office to take interest in monitoring the projects doted around the province to appreciate the challenges faced.
He noted the importance of such infrastructure in the province, adding that the move is also in line with the government’s ideology in education sector.
Mr Akapelwa highlighted the need to also understand the geographical location of the province as it will help understand funding allocations of projects.
