The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has launched its new Digital Retail Payment Platform (DRPP), designed to enable instant, secure, and affordable cross-border payments across member states. The initiative was unveiled during COMESA’s 24th Heads of State and Government Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, with officials emphasizing the urgent need for regulatory and tax harmonization to ensure the platform’s success.

The DRPP aims to simplify transactions by allowing individuals and businesses to make payments in their local currencies. The pilot phase will begin with the Zambia–Malawi corridor, offering a model for wider implementation across the region.

Speaking during the launch, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Honorable Leiting Njoroge, described the platform as a critical tool for improving regional trade and economic inclusion. He highlighted that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up about 80 percent of businesses and provide nearly 60 percent of employment in COMESA member states.

“By starting with the Malawi–Zambia corridor, we are demonstrating how traders can exchange value seamlessly without relying on scarce foreign currency,” said Njoroge. “This platform reduces costs, shields businesses from currency volatility, and most importantly, opens the door for SMEs, women, and the youth to participate more meaningfully in regional trade.”

Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for Technology and Science, Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, described the DRPP as a major step toward simplifying regional payment systems. He explained that many small businesses currently face challenges when trading across borders due to high transaction costs and delays.

“This is really a program that is aimed at wanting to ensure that our payment system within the COMESA region is actually simplified,” said Dr. Habeenzu. “We are going to be using a digital platform that makes payments easy, fast, and less costly. In a nutshell, we want to make it simplified.”

He added that despite challenges such as limited ICT connectivity in some areas, the timing of the launch was critical. “We will not have any other good time. Therefore, if we don’t do it now, we will not be able to grow our economy,” he stated.

The platform’s success, however, depends on broader policy cooperation among member states. Officials acknowledged that the next phase will require alignment of regulatory and fiscal frameworks to support seamless cross-border operations.

Mr. Anthony Undi, Board Chair of Zamtel, the Zambian mobile network operator implementing the pilot phase, said the DRPP represents a significant technological advancement for regional financial inclusion. However, he cautioned that regulatory inconsistencies could pose challenges if not addressed promptly.

“We will need as COMESA to also look at how harmonized our systems are, because there are issues of taxation, there are issues of foreign exchange controls. There are a number of regulatory issues that we have to look at for this system to work very well,” said Undi.

He explained that the DRPP enables users to send money instantly across borders, a capability not previously available among regional mobile network operators. The system allows payments in local currency, automatically converting to the recipient’s currency through the platform.

The initiative reflects COMESA’s broader agenda to promote digital integration and reduce trade barriers across its 21 member states. With the platform now in its trial phase, efforts will focus on achieving political and legal coordination to enable full operationalization of the digital payment system across borders.

Zambia was represented at the summit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Honorable Mulambo Haimbe, S.C., M.P. The event also marked a notable milestone for Zamtel, which has achieved financial recovery after years of insolvency. The company’s turnaround has been attributed to debt restructuring and alignment with President Hakainde Hichilema’s national vision for a digitally driven economy.

Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, says the 2026 budget allocation of 1.54 Billion Kwacha under his Ministry is sufficient to improve the tourism sector in the country.

Mr Sikumba says one of the key priority areas to be addressed is infrastructure development which has remained a challenge towards the development of the sector.

He explained that due to scarcity of infrastructure, it has affected access to some tourism sites by both tourists and investors who would want to develop the areas.

Speaking during an interview with the media, The Minister assured that the government will take infrastructure development to enjoyable places that remain inaccessible and less developed.

Mr Sikumba said that these are areas that are already enshrined in the 2018 to 2038 Zambia Tourism Master Plan.

“We as a government are not just building infrastructure to run but building infrastructure that will be a catalyst for investment. A number of areas in our country remain undeserved purely because of access,” Mr Sikumba said.

He stated the reason why airports are being constructed and rehabilitated in various parts of the country, a sure indication that there is political will for more investment.

Mr Sikumba therefore invited people to invest in heritage sites, stating the need to monetise the natural resources for the benefit of citizens.

He noted that the country’s GDP target growth can only be achieved with concerted efforts from sectors such as tourism, alongside mining, agriculture, energy and manufacturing.

President Hakainde Hichilema says the economic gains the country has achieved is as a result of policy reforms initiated by the government in the mining sector.

President Hichilema notes that without embarking on policy reforms the country would not have recorded the economic growth it has attained.

He explains that the decision by the government to embark on policy reforms was deliberate as it was aimed at turning around the country’s economy.

President Hichilema said this during the official opening of the Second Edition of the Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka held in Lusaka today.

“We have taken a decision as a government that reforms are what will turn around the fortunes of this country,’’ he said.

The Head of State assured delegates and investors of the government’s commitment to continuously carry out policy reforms in the sector.

He noted that reforms have enabled the government to implement various developmental programmes such as free education.

President Hichilema indicated that the implementation of policy reforms will help in opening up the country’s national economy for further investment and also attract new investors.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema says the mineral wealth derived from mining must be developing other parts of the country.

He explained that non mining provinces should feel the impact of revenue derived from the mining sector.

President Hichilema said mineral wealth from the mines must be used in sectors such as education, health and road infrastructure development among others.

He indicated that Zambia is endowed with numerous mineral resources other than copper.

President Hichilema however, called for investment in other minerals as opposed to copper alone.

He said as a country there is a need to derive more benefits from other mineral resource endowment.

And commenting on the High-Resolution Nationwide Aerial Geophysical Survey (CHRAGS) launched in 2024, President Hichilema announced that 40 percent has been covered so far.

He explained that the geophysical survey will enable the government to know other mineral endowment in the country.

President Hichilema stated that the desire of the government is to use mineral endowment to build the country.

He warned that the government won’t allow the endowment of minerals to promote insecurity or instability.

President Hichilema later granted authority to the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe to sign the local content SI into law.

The Local Content IS allows for the participation of Zambians in the mining sector through increased employment and procurement from local businesses.

Speaking earlier, Mr Kabuswe informed the Head of State that wider consultations were carried out before coming up with the final document.

He expressed confidence that the signed document will give business preference to local Zambian suppliers.

Mr Kabuswe assured the President that the Ministry will supervise the implementation of the SI in the mining space to ensure ordinary local suppliers benefit.

And the British government has commended the government for its continued commitment to the countrywide, high resolution aerial geophysical survey.

British High Commissioner to Zambia Rebecca Terzeon disclosed that notable progress has been achieved across the Western and the North-Western Provinces of Zambia.

Commenting on Insaka, Ms Terzeon said the forum provides a timely platform for strategic dialogue, innovation, and collaboration that will shape the future of sustainable mining and responsible investment.

“It is a space where ideas converge, partnerships are forged, and decisions are made that can shape the future of sustainable mining and inclusive economic growth,” she said.

She assured President Hichilema that the United Kingdom remains a steadfast partner in Zambia’s journey towards inclusive and responsible mining.

Speaking at the same event, Chinese Mining
Enterprise Association in Zambia representative Wang, Jing, Jiang revealed that the dewatering of 28 Shaft at Luanshya Mine on the Copperbelt will be completed by the end of this year.

He explained that advancement in technology has contributed to the success of the dewatering project.

“The huge success is based on the great breakthrough in technology and the application of the customised pump, ” he said.

Mr Jiang commended the government for putting in place policies that support the growth of the mining sector.

Meanwhile, ZCCM-IH Board Chairperson Phesto Musonda disclosed that the mining firm this year recorded a milestone by surpassing one billion dollars market capitalisation on the Lusaka security exchange.

Mr Musonda said the achievement is a sign of confidence in Zambia’s reforms.

He pointed out that ZCCM-IH has become a diversified one billion dollar power house.

Mr Musonda disclosed that in the last two decades ZCCM-IH has contributed over 2.2 Billion Kwacha in dividends to the national treasury.

He further disclosed that revenue rose from Hundred and Thirteen Million Kwacha in 2022 to Three Point Two Billion Kwacha in 2024.

While assists have doubled to more than 57.3 Billion Kwacha.

Mopani Copper Mines Chief Executive Officer Charles Sakanya informed President Hichilema that over two thousand jobs have been created as a result of unlocking Mopani.

Mr Sakanya said through the expansion and recapitalisation of Mopani various opportunities have been created for stakeholder holders.

The Zambian Government is in the process of reviewing the Postal Services Act in order to respond to the realities of electronic commerce, courier as well as digital financial services.

Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati says the review will help strengthen the postal sector in supporting digital transformation and financial inclusion.

Mr Mutati recognised that the postal sector is at the heart of facilitating logistics for micro, small and medium enterprises by promoting financial inclusion alongside creating jobs for the people in communities.

The Minister, who was represented by Acting Director for Human Resources and Administration George Matulula, disclosed this in Lusaka during the World Post Day commemorations.

He noted that as Zambia moves towards becoming a smart and digital nation, the postal sector will continue to be a pillar in driving innovation, inclusion and sustainable development.

“The world is changing and so is the postal sector. Therefore, Zambia Postal (ZAMPOST) is embracing technology to remain relevant in today’s digital era,” he said.

The Minister has since directed the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) to be proactive in driving the digital ecosystem noting that postal services lie in integration on digital platforms, e-commerce and financial technologies.

“I direct ZICTA to strengthen its regulatory oversight and support mechanisms to ensure that postal operators ZAMPOST included are empowered to innovate, compete and deliver world class services that meet the demands of a fast evolving digital economy,” he said.

And ZAMPOST Board Chairperson Beene Siyumbwa said her institution endeavours to post and deliver not only mails and parcels but also drives Zambia’s e-commerce.

Mrs Siyumbwa said ZAMPOST ensures that it removes unnecessary hurdles by making life easier to its clientele.

“We ensure to serve the nation efficiently, responsibly and sustainably while also embracing the opportunities that digital transformation offers,” she stated.

Meanwhile, ZAMPOST Postmaster General Lydia Lubobya said today’s celebrations enables the institution to reflect on its invaluable role that postal services play in connecting people and driving socio-economic growth.

Mrs Lubobya said PAMPOST strives to provide postal services accessible and affordable to all Zambians.

She disclosed that ZAMPOST has positioned itself as a key enabler of digital market-place especially SMEs to reach customers both locally and internationally.

ZICTA Director General Collins Mbulo who spoke through Director Economy and Regulation Bernard Banda disclosed that the Authority is engaged to resolve disputes arising from alleged delayed parcels that are in transit and demanded by customers.

World Post Day is celebrated annually on 9 October and this year, it was celebrated under the theme, “Post for people, local service, global reach.”

The purpose of World Post Day is to bring awareness to the post’s role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global social and economic development.

It was declared by the 1969 Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo as a means to mark the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) creation in 1874.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SWEPA), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening mining governance in Zambia through the development of the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Guiding Framework.

SWEPA International Unit of the Policy Development Department Senior Advisor, Andreas Lindstrom, says CSR is a critical tool that helps in ensuring that mining activities meaningfully contribute to the development of local communities.

Mr Lindstrom notes that the guiding framework focuses on strengthening mining governance in Zambia by aligning private sector practices with community needs and environmental standards.

Mr Lindstrom said this yesterday, during the Zambia Mining and Environment Nexus (ZAMNEX) Task Force Validation Meeting held in Lusaka.

“The CSR Guiding Framework is being developed under a broader programme funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the Swedish Embassy, and implemented by the SWEPA),” he stated.

Mr Lindstrom emphasised that one of the key outcomes of the ongoing consultations is the creation of a harmonised national approach that will guide how mining companies engage with host communities.

He emphasised that the collaborative approach will ensure that the document becomes a truly Zambian owned product, reflecting diverse perspectives and promoting shared responsibility in achieving responsible mining practices.

Meanwhile, CSR Network Zambia Executive Director, Lee Muzala, explained that this was done following a baseline study that identified key challenges faced by businesses, particularly in the mining sector including issues of governance, human rights, labor relations, community displacement, and compensation.

He emphasised that one of the main findings of the study was the absence of a standardised national reference document to guide how companies engage with communities and implement CSR projects.

“It seeks to close that gap by providing clear principles and guidelines that promote transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability across industries,’ he said.

“The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development are the two anchor ministries driving the process, with other government ministries expected to come on board as the framework nears completion, “Mr Muzala disclosed.

Mr Muzala stated that once finalised, the framework will not only serve as a national guide but will also help harmonise existing policies and legal frameworks to ensure that CSR practices in Zambia are aligned with international standards and responsive to community needs.

He also revealed that the framework is expected to be fully completed and launched in the first quarter of 2026, marking a significant step forward in ensuring that mining and other business operations contribute meaningfully to sustainable national development.