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Africa’s Seat at the AI Table Begins Here Africa Tech Festival 2025

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Africa’s Seat at the AI Table Begins Here Africa Tech Festival 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how industries and institutions operate. In healthcare, finance, education, and national security, AI enables faster decision-making and more efficient service delivery.

Until now, most tools, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks have come from advanced economies. But Africa stands at a crucial turning point. Instead of simply adopting systems built for other contexts, African leaders have a chance to define a path that reflects the continent’s priorities, values, and development goals.

At this year’s Africa Tech Festival, the continent’s leading and largest tech event, taking place in Cape Town from 11–13 November 2025, that conversation will take centre stage. Under one of the core themes, Responsible Innovation, the Festival will explore how to build AI systems that work for Africa, with a focus on relevance, resilience, and leadership.

A highlight of this year’s event will be The AI Summit Cape Town, a stage dedicated to how Africa can lead in building inclusive, ethical, and practical AI. Tech experts, business leaders, and policy makers will discuss how to grow local expertise, develop governance models, and reduce reliance on imported technologies and financing.

A New Model for AI Leadership

Africa’s unique context is a strategic advantage. The technologies emerging in developed economies, such as Silicon Valley, London, and Shenzhen, are shaped by social and economic realities that differ from those in Lagos, Dakar, or Nairobi. For AI to benefit Africa, it must be built around the continent’s everyday realities and goals.

That’s why Africa must become proactive. By developing AI locally, the continent can solve real problems, drive growth, and spark innovation on its terms. The AI Summit Cape Town provides a platform to go beyond surface-level commentary. Sessions will explore how AI can support African economies in practical ways, from agriculture and banking to healthcare and education. For business leaders and tech experts, it’s an opportunity to brainstorm with peers across sectors. These conversations often spark new ideas, uncover partnerships, and offer fresh perspectives that are hard to replicate in boardrooms.

Why Data Sovereignty Matters

AI runs on data, and controlling that data is about power and protection. African governments and businesses are grappling with the question of how much data to share with foreign platforms. In response, there’s growing interest in managing data locally and responsibly.

When African governments and businesses control their data, they can establish rules that protect people’s privacy, stimulate investment, and foster innovation. Relying too heavily on foreign platforms means losing visibility, accountability and leverage.

Developing Local Talent

AI’s future depends on people who understand both the tech and the context. Africa’s youth population, the largest and fastest-growing globally, offers a strong base to build this capacity from within.

More attention is now being placed on mentoring and training local experts to lead AI development, shape policy, and guide responsible use across the continent.

Building AI locally isn’t just a matter of pride—it’s a smart business move. When technologies are developed within African markets, they’re better suited to local needs, adapt faster to change, and are more accountable to the communities they serve. That kind of relevance gives businesses a competitive edge. It also creates a ripple effect. By investing in homegrown AI, job creation is boosted, and regional expertise is strengthened, creating greater economic value across the continent. African companies and governments have an excellent opportunity to lead with tools built for their realities; that’s not just good policy, it’s good business.

Looking Ahead

Now in its 28th year, Africa Tech Festival continues to evolve as digital priorities shift. The 2025 edition will focus on four themes: Responsible Innovation, Inclusive Investment, Connectivity for Development, and Policy Harmonisation, providing a shared framework for debate across Africa’s digital sector.

From AfricaCom and AfricaTech to AfricaIgnite and The AI Summit Cape Town, every programme will connect these themes to on-the-ground realities— encouraging knowledge-sharing and cross-sector collaboration.

This year’s Festival arrives at a time of urgency and possibility. With AI shaping everything from economic growth to governance and public services, Africa has a unique opportunity to lead. Africa Tech Festival isn’t just another tech event If Africa wants to shape its digital future, this is where the conversation begins.

Now’s the time to engage.

By Kadi Diallo,
Portfolio Manager of Africa Tech Festival & Lead of The AI Summit Cape Town

For more information, visit: www.africatechfestival.com

Kabwe Set for Economic Boost as Great Leaf Tobacco Plant Nears Completion

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Kabwe Set for Economic Boost as Great Leaf Tobacco Plant Nears Completion

The construction of the Great Leaf tobacco processing plant in Kabwe District is nearing completion, marking a significant milestone in Zambia’s efforts to localize value addition and boost job creation. The $40 million facility, now 75% complete, is expected to transform the region’s economy by reducing dependence on foreign tobacco processors and creating hundreds of jobs for the local population.

Kabwe District Commissioner Mr. Lennox Shimwambwa Jr. expressed optimism about the development during a recent tour of the site, stating that over 300 direct jobs have already been created even before full commissioning. He emphasized that the plant will strengthen the agricultural sector by providing local farmers with a ready market for their tobacco and reducing the need to export unprocessed produce to countries like Namibia and Zimbabwe.

“This development paves the way for business opportunities for local farmers and strengthens our agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP,” Mr. Shimwambwa stated. He commended the initiative as aligned with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision of stabilizing the economy and attracting strategic investments that empower communities.

The District Commissioner also called on Zesco Ltd. to prioritize power supply to the facility, noting the importance of reliable energy in supporting industries critical for job creation and economic sustainability.

Factory Manager Mr. Gobvu Jamton revealed that the plant, once fully operational, will create more than 800 jobs and process up to 12 million tonnes of tobacco per season. He confirmed that all tobacco will be processed within Zambia, a major shift from the previous trend of exporting raw tobacco.

Project Manager Mr. Harsh Kumar added that tobacco farmers are now receiving payments within 48 hours of delivery, based on competitive prices determined by quality. This prompt payment system is expected to build confidence among growers and increase participation in the sector.

Kabwe District Agriculture Coordinator Ms. Kokila Mwanza Muyati highlighted the plant’s role in expanding opportunities for local farmers. With a reliable market now in place, more farmers are expected to become outgrowers, with options to cultivate tobacco or maize depending on profitability and land suitability.

The Great Leaf plant is a key example of localized industrialization and economic decentralization. It is poised to play a vital role in transforming Central Province into a hub for agro-processing and rural employment—one that reflects the government’s broader goals for inclusive and sustainable development.

Markets signal alarm as Trump threatens Fed autonomy – deVere CEO

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Markets signal alarm as Trump threatens Fed autonomy – deVere CEO

The moment President Donald Trump yesterday floated, again, the idea of firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, markets flinched.

Currency traders dumped the dollar. Treasury yields jerked in both directions. Stocks wobbled. Within minutes, it became clear: global investors were no longer dismissing the idea that the Fed’s independence is under threat—they were reacting to it.

“This isn’t a rumor traders shrugged off. This was treated as a live scenario,” says Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group.

“Markets moved because they now see political control of the Fed as a genuine possibility.”

After the reports emerged that Trump had asked lawmakers whether he should dismiss Powell, the dollar slumped 1.2% against a basket of peers. Treasuries and equities followed suit. Though Trump later said he was “not planning” to remove Powell imminently, the damage was already done.

“Markets heard what they needed to hear. The president asked the question. That alone was enough to rattle confidence in the Fed’s independence,” says the deVere CEO.

He warns that the implications go far beyond this one incident.

“What changed is belief,” he explains. “The idea that a sitting president could remove a central bank head for policy reasons was once considered unthinkable. Now, it’s being taken seriously. That shift has consequences.”

Central bank autonomy has long been a bedrock of investor trust in US institutions. It guarantees that interest rates are guided by economic conditions, not political timelines. That principle is now being openly tested.

“Remove Powell—or even keep him in a weakened position—and the signal is that future decisions at the Fed may follow political preference rather than policy discipline,” says Nigel Green.

“That’s what markets are reacting to. This is what they’re starting to price in.”

The spike in volatility across bonds, currencies and stocks underscores how fast sentiment can change when institutional guardrails are seen to weaken.

“It doesn’t take a formal announcement. Even raising the possibility triggers a reaction,” he continues. “Because once the independence of the central bank is questioned, the baseline for everything else begins to shift.”

Nigel Green warns that this is not a short-term concern.

“Markets may stabilise in the coming days, but the underlying issue hasn’t gone away. Once trust in central bank autonomy is shaken, it takes far more than a press quote to rebuild it,” he says.

Even if Trump backs away from immediate action, the broader concern lingers: Powell may stay, but at what cost to his authority?

“A Fed Chair who is publicly targeted by the White House is put in a compromised position,” notes the deVere chief executive.

“It injects doubt into every decision the Fed makes going forward. Is this move based on data, or on pressure? That ambiguity is dangerous.”

The implications are global. International investors rely on the Fed not just as a rate-setter, but as a signal of institutional strength. That credibility supports the dollar’s dominance, drives capital inflows, and underpins global benchmarks.

“If the Fed is seen as an extension of the Executive Branch, that credibility erodes,” says Nigel Green. “If the credibility goes, capital follows.”

The deVere CEO says this episode has injected a new and serious risk into the global financial system.

“This is no longer just about one central banker,” he says. “It’s about whether the most important monetary institution in the world can still act independently. If it can’t, or if that’s in doubt, markets will react accordingly, and repeatedly.”

He concludes: “The trust that took decades to build can be weakened in a day. It’s not about the politics. It’s about whether investors believe the Fed still makes decisions without fear or favour. If that belief breaks down, the consequences will be swift and far-reaching.”

Zambia Launches Landmark “Invest in Zambia International Conference” to Drive Economic Transformation

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Zambia Launches Landmark “Invest in Zambia International Conference” to Drive Economic Transformation

In a major milestone for Zambia’s economic revitalization efforts, President Hakainde Hichilema officially launched the Invest in Zambia International Conference at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. The high-level event brings together regional and global investors, policymakers, and development partners to explore investment opportunities and forge transformative partnerships in Zambia and across Africa.

In his opening remarks, President Hichilema emphasized that the conference signals a new chapter in Zambia’s journey toward sustainable growth and prosperity, underpinned by bold reforms and a renewed commitment to economic openness.

“We proudly launched the ‘Invest in Zambia International Conference,’ an initiative that highlights the power of strategic partnerships to unlock Africa’s vast potential,” said President Hichilema. “Under the New Dawn Administration, we have undertaken bold and comprehensive reforms that have fundamentally reshaped Zambia’s investment landscape.”

The president outlined sweeping policy changes implemented by his government to build a stable and predictable investment environment. These include cutting bureaucratic red tape, streamlining business registration processes, and strengthening public–private dialogue platforms to ensure policy consistency and transparency.


Zambia’s central location and abundant resources were highlighted as key competitive advantages. With access to a regional market of over 400 million people and significant reserves of critical minerals like copper, cobalt, lithium, and manganese, the country is positioning itself as a gateway for regional trade and a hub for green energy transition investments.

“Zambia stands out as the ideal destination for investment — land-linked and strategically located in the heart of Southern and Central Africa,” the President noted. “We also offer vast potential in agriculture, tourism, and energy, along with a proud record of peace, stability, and democratic governance.”

President Hichilema called on conference delegates to move beyond dialogue and focus on concrete outcomes that deliver tangible benefits for Zambians.

“This conference must deliver more than dialogue,” he stated. “It must forge meaningful partnerships that translate into real investments — moving from potential to action, and from plans to results.”

The conference is expected to generate significant investor interest across mining, agribusiness, infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy sectors, with the government reiterating its commitment to creating an enabling environment that supports long-term, inclusive development.

The launch of the Invest in Zambia International Conference marks yet another step in Zambia’s effort to reposition itself as a prime destination for responsible and impactful investment on the African continent.

Constitution Amendment bill No.7 Has No legal Backing- Mmembe

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Constitution Amendment bill No.7 Has No legal Backing- Mmembe

…..and it is NOT critical to the survival of the people socially, economically and politically charges Dr M’membe

Socialist Party (SP) President Dr Fred M’membe says the constitutional amendments championed by President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND have no legal backing.

Dr. M’membe says there must be an Act of Parliament under which those consultations should be carried out. He says it is very clear that this is not an exercise of the Zambian people but for Mr Hichilema himself.He wonders if the current amendments are critical to the survival of the Zambian people questioning if the country can collapse if they are not done before the elections.

Dr. M’membe has maintained that the amendments are aimed at cementing President Hichilema’s stay in office beyond 2026.
The Socialist Party leader said this when he and his General Secretary Dr Cosmas Musumali featured on ‘Socialist Hour’ programme on Hot FM Radio in Lusaka.

“Bill No. 7 of 2025, you can sum it up in few words as, Political preservation of Mr Hichilema securing his second term in office in a manner that is not highly contested. If you look at the changes the majority of them have to do with elections. You don’t need to have legal training to understand what Mr Hichilema is trying to do. Basically, it’s about Mr Hichilema, conceived by him and implemented by him. It’s being imposed on the Zambian people by Mr Hichilema. These are not the views coming from the people but from Mr Hichilema. There is no legal framework for discussion, it’s about who he wants to meet. He sends his minister of Justice on a mission that they claim it’s consultation, it’s not consultation. It’s propagation, they went out there to force the people of Zambia on the things they want to change (in the constitution). Mr Hichilema is adamant about the thirteen changes or amendments he wants to make,” he stated.

“The thirteen changes were not a product of discourse. He came up with them himself. We have gone through the number of statements, at first they denied that they were not going to change the constitution. Eventually they started doing what they denied doing. That tells you there was no honest in the approach of this whole thing. These are not Constitutional Amendments made by the people but by Mr Hichilema.”

Dr. M’membe further said the consultations they are making are simply attempts to force their way on the people of Zambia.
He has also asserted that President Hichilema does not want to be criticized and that he cries foul that the people just hate him based on his originality.

“You remember when CSOs went to meet him at his own invitation, he went to cry that he has never seen such hatred. To him all those opposing the amendments are doing so because they hate him because of where he comes from. It’s very common for HH when he is criticized he complains of hatred that’s why we have all those laws about hate speech. A lot of people are going to prison because they criticize his regional appointments,” he added.

“Apart from HH and his UPND, who else is supporting that? The churches, opposition political parties, LAZ and other groups have said no to these amendments. Why does he want to make these Amendments at all cost? Are they the solutions to the challenges the people are facing economically, socially and politically? If they are not done, this year, then Zambia will collapse next year?”

Speaking at the same programme, Dr. Musumali said he has never seen this high levels of deceitfulness the country before.
He said in the proposed amendments, the UPND wants to increase the number of Constituencies from their perceived strongholds.
He said from the current 156 constituencies, they want the country to have 211 adding 55 more constituencies.

How Zambia’s private sector perpetuates its marginalization in the Government-Private Sector Partnership..

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How Zambia’s private sector perpetuates its marginalization in the Government-Private Sector Partnership..

By Edward Chisanga

Introduction

Pareto’ principle, equally known as the 80/20 Rule, in my interpretation, states that if 80% of your income comes from 20% of activities or inputs, then it’s worth spending more resources and importance on what seems to be the small figure of 20%. Others state that for many events, roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. Other experts say 80% of profits come from 20% of the products or services a company sells.

In the Public-Private sector partnership in Zambia (Private sector here seen as indigenous), ever since its inception many years ago, under successive Heads of State, the weight of importance is always skewed in favor of the former against the latter. In its history of squeaks and groans, with lubrication always allusive, the private sector has been the main complainant, often listing sensible and genuine rationale about what hinders its progress. While different governments in the past and perhaps present, have made promises to address private sector’s huddles, I do not remember a genuine solution ever put on the partnership table. And, perhaps it may never be coming home soon.

Who owns copper?

But the main story in my article is the substantive content of this partnership, in particular concerning trade. According to statistics, every Zambian perhaps knows that the nation’s global and regional trade continues to be dominated by the state. In Zambia’s total exports of all products put together, copper, despite legal ownership being in private hands by foreigners, is, I believe, still a state product, accounts for close to 70%. If copper is a state property, it then implies that the proportion of private sector exports in total is only 30%. In the total, this figure is marginal.

I illustrate this point also by simply showing the actual absolute export numbers. In Figure 1 below, in 2024 total exports of all products stood at $ 11.2 billion while copper exports alone were $7.6 billion, leaving a balance of non-copper exports of $3.6 billion only.

Are non-copper exports growing?

Methodology

Although indicators of growth often used are percentages, here, for the sake of simplicity and clear understanding to a layman and woman, I use annual growth in dollar absolute values. In other words, I subtract past export values from forward exports, for example exports of 1996 minus those of previous year of 1995 to get increase or decrease. I do this for each year and refer to it as growth.

My findings

My findings are shown in Figure 2. Yes, in terms of height, the lines in the graph going up imply that non-copper exports have been growing substantially. If percentages are used, it would show similar or the same image seen here, in terms of high lines. No wonder, those like me, familiar with government reporting on non-cooper or non-traditional exports beam with excitement and say, “Zambia’s non-traditional exports increase by 20%; Zambia’s non-traditional exports jump….”

But in value, this ‘jump’ is not so robust. Back to Figure 2. First, we must also have a conversation about lines going down in the graph. They’re as significant as their counterparts going up. We see minus $200million down in 2000, minus $300 million down in 2009, minus $825 million in 2014, minus $ 833 million in 2015, minus $200 million in 2019 and almost minus $600 million in 2024. For me, you can almost conclude that from 1996 – 2024, the balance sheet comprising positive growth and negative growth almost takes us to nil growth overall. Or the plusses and minuses end up cancelling each other to zero.

Second, if these upward lines or positive growths were in $ 5 billions annually, I would applaud the private sector. But they’re in small millions and at no point in a year do they ever reach $1billion. These are not numbers that can create the wealth citizens desperately need to fight the war against poverty and its concomitant effects. The period, 1996-2024 covered for this study is almost three decades with lackluster performance of non-copper exports. How long can we keep up appearances of Zambia’s private sector?

Figure 2: Growth of Zambia’s global exports of non-copper products in $millions

Implications

There’re implications for indigenous Zambia’s private sector. One is that given its fractured participation in substantive trade, with very basic performance, it means that it will continue to be marginalized. If we go back to the 80/20 rule, we can conclude that what makes it weak is that Zambia’s private sector is not generating competitive exports of non-copper products equaling government’s exports. If what makes government tick is copper exports, it means government will focus on that instead of non-copper exports and its owners.

Second, the private sector needs to match its strong vocal demands from government with robust performance. It needs to own up and tell Zambians that it’s equally at fault. A real aggressive and cognitive function-driven private sector matches on, even in what is perceived as mountains of impassable icebergs. It’s not all the Asian private sectors that are today competing with, and even outcompeting the US that were facilitated by government.

In fact, when it surpasses government in exports, not only quantitatively but qualitatively too, such as exports of manufactured goods, respect will grip government into submitting to the private sector’s calls. In fact, at that point, private sector will be in the front seat, replacing the current driver. That’s the conclusion too.

KUDOS Hon. Kambita, Tasila can’t eat cake and have it!

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KUDOS Hon. Kambita, Tasila can’t eat cake and have it!

Yesterday Zambezi East Member of Parliament, Brian Kambita rose on the floor of the House to question the Speaker whether the continued absence of Chawama Member of Parliament, Tasila Lungu, from the August House indicates that she does not intend to return and fulfil her parliamentary duties, hence denying the ‘good’ people of Chawama effective representation.

Kambita cited recent court filings made by former First Lady, Esther Lungu, in the Pretoria High Court, whereby she allegedly stated that her family does not intend to return to Zambia due to safety concerns.

He noted that Ms. Lungu as a member of the family involved in the legal matter, may be personally affected by the said position.

In response to this, Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti reserved ruling to a later date.

What do we make of this?

Every occupation is governed by rules and regulations….you can’t just pitch up at work whatever time you you feel like or stay away from the same as much as you want! We recently lost our mother in Zambezi, our nephew who happened to work as a security guard returned to his job only to find that it has been filled up by someone else!

Compassionate leave has a limit; one can not be on leave in perpetuity at the expense of their responsibility. The people of Chawama deserve adequate and effective representation in parliament! A ‘no show MP’ is likely to deprive them of their share of the national cake!

Isn’t this the same Tasila who was away to America for a long time until the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) where she was wanted for interrogations raised the red flag? Tasila can’t eat the cake and have it! She has to choose between representing the people of Chawama or mourning her father till eternity.

To those of you that believe in the Bible, doesn’t Mathew 8:22 warn us that, “Let the dead bury themselves…”

Until next time….

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst
Zambezi

Make drug theft treasonable offense; introduce fast track courts.

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Make drug theft treasonable offense; introduce fast track courts.

A comprehensive forensic audit conducted by Price waterhouse Coopers (PwC) in the Ministry of Health, commissioned by President Hichilema last year, has exposed spine chilling and glaring irregularities in the procurement and management of drugs in the Ministry of Health. This has been a long-standing issue that unfortunately culminated into the US government withholding US$50 million in medical aid to the country.

The forensic audit has revealed massive price inflation in medicines and medical supplies procured by the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies (ZAMMSA) under the mop up exercise whereby some prices are inflated by as much as 1600%! For instance, Ibuprofen 200 mg tablets from Sterelin Medical and Diagnostics were being procured at K3,951.67. This represents an increase of over 1000% than the ZAMMSA’s estimated price of K230.67 for the same drugs! The report also implicates senior government officials, including alleged abuse of authority, rushed procurement and bypassing procumbent protocols.

The rot at Ministry of Health is not new. This is something that has been deep-rooted from as far back as the days of MMD. The people who are behind the pilferage of drugs or inflating prices are enemies of the people. They are heartless and ruthless murderers who don’t deserve to live amongst us…..they deserve to die by firing squad!

According to a statement released by State House chief communications specialist Clayson Hamasaka, “There shall be no sacred cows, anyone found wanting will face the full force of the law.”

The question is, will this satanic practice of stealing drugs or over inflating prices come to a screeching end when this has been the trend for as long as one may recall? Look at all those breathtaking mansions the suspected looters have acquired in Chalala and State lodge or indeed the impressive SUVs they change like underwear, the temptation can be quite irresistible!

We are therefore appealing to President Hichilema to compel Parliament to take a radical measure and make drug theft a treasonable offense! The Ministry of Justice must equally consider introducing Fast Track Courts to nip the scourge in the bud.

Whether we would like to believe it or not, the New Dawn Administration has scored a number of milestones in the Health sector since assuming government; funding has increased from K1.5 billion in 2021 to K4.9 billion projected for 2025, drug stocking levels have improved from 45% in 2021 to 85% current drug availability (90% projected in 2025) while human resource capacity has been bolstered by 40% since 2021!

Why should we allow a few selfish and greedy individuals keep painting the ugly picture, government is indeed lamentably failing to deliver in the health sector, by allowing them to continue corruptly enriching themselves by pocketing the very resources government is making available? Hit them hard where it pains the most!

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst

Surprise honour for Dr. Kumwenda as hospital ward is named after her

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Surprise honour for Dr. Kumwenda as hospital ward is named after her

By Benedict Tembo

A routine visit to James Lawless Hospital in Ndola by the Zambia Flying Doctors Service (ZFDS) on June 27 turned into an unforgettable moment for one of its board members, Dr. Rosemary Kumwenda, when a hospital ward was named in her honour — a tribute she had no idea was planned.

Dr. Kumwenda, who has served as ZFDS Board Chairperson since August 2022, was visibly surprised when the hospital management unveiled the newly named ward.
The recognition, kept secret by hospital staff and ZFDS management, was meant to acknowledge her outstanding leadership and decades-long service to Zambia’s health sector.

“The ward came as a great surprise to me and other board members. It underscores the fact that we understand our roles as board and management,” Dr. Kumwenda said in an interview.

According to Dr. Kumwenda, the idea of honouring individuals who played key roles in the organisation’s recapitalisation had been discussed during previous board meetings.
She cited former Health Minister Sylvia Masebo, who appointed the current board in 2022, as a notable supporter of ZFDS’s renewed mission to deliver quality healthcare to underserved areas.

“So going forward, family and friends will support me to own the ward and continue providing support to the Zambia Flying Doctor Service for many years to come. “I feel immensely privileged,” she said.

Dr. Kumwenda began her medical career in 1987 and previously held senior roles in the Ministry of Health, including as District Director of Health in both Livingstone and Lusaka. During her tenure, she oversaw the construction of seven first-level hospitals in Lusaka — located in Chelstone, Chipata, Matero, George, Chawama, Kanyama, and Chilenje — under the national health reform programme.

She later joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where she worked at both national and international levels. Her last post before retirement in July 2022 was as Health and Development Team Leader based in Istanbul, Turkey, covering 18 countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Throughout her career, Dr. Kumwenda received several awards, including the UNDP Best Team Leader award and long-service recognitions for 5, 10, and 20 years. She was also honoured with the Diamond Jubilee Award by St. Monica’s Alumni.

Despite the challenges of her role, Dr. Kumwenda emphasised that service has always been her priority.

“There is a lot of work that the ZFDS board members do, and it has never been for the reward. The allowance is minimal. But the results are visible, and people can relate to what ZFDS does and how important it is for reaching remote communities with quality health services,” she said.

As she prepares to celebrate her 64th birthday on July 20, Dr. Kumwenda’s legacy in Zambia’s healthcare sector is not only documented in policy and progress — but now, permanently inscribed on the walls of James Lawless Hospital.

Sell Crops Responsibly – Chief Nkana

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Sell Crops Responsibly – Chief Nkana

Chief Nkana of the Lamba people of the Copperbelt Province has advised his subjects against selling all their crops at the expense of consumption following an enhanced harvest recorded this year.

During the 2023/2024 season, some parts of the country experienced droughts leading to low yields.

Speaking to Radio Icengelo News in Ndola, Chief Nkana said no family should go hungry after good rains experienced during the 2024-2025 season leading to a good harvest posted in various parts of the country this year.

The Traditional leader, whose Chiefdom covers some parts of Lufwanyama, Kalulushi and Kitwe, noted that some families have a tendency of selling all their crops such as maize and end up experiencing hunger prior to the next harvest.

“When God blesses you with a good harvest you best safeguard food such as maize. We always tell our subject about this matter. As Chiefs it is our duty to advise our people to avoid hunger,” Chief Nkana said.

He said preserving crops for consumption is key to preventing hunger at household level.

“Like the Government has been advocating, no one should go hungry after this year’s bumper harvest. People should not struggle to put food on the table. We don’t want hunger in the Chiefdom. We don’t want anyone to die of hunger,” Chief Nkana said.

UNICEF 2025 HIV Report: Zambia’s Children Are Still at Risk — and We Must Act

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UNICEF 2025 HIV Report: Zambia’s Children Are Still at Risk — and We Must Act

By Fr. Charlie B. Chilufya, S.J.

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:14

Just yesterday, UNICEF released its 2025 Global HIV Estimates — and the numbers are a sobering call to action. While the world has made undeniable progress in reducing HIV infections among children, the report shows that too many children — especially in Africa — are still dying unnecessarily. And yes, Zambia is part of that picture.

In 2024 alone, 120,000 children were newly infected with HIV, and 75,000 children under the age of 15 died from AIDS-related causes. These are children who could have lived — if they had been tested early, treated promptly, and embraced by a health system that sees them.

The new report tells us what we already know deep down: we are not doing enough.

Zambia’s Children: Progress, But Still Left Behind

  • 65,000 adolescents (ages 10–19) are living with HIV in Zambia — but nearly 1 in 10 are not yet on treatment.
  • 41,300 children (ages 0–14) are currently receiving ART — but an estimated 14,000 in that age group remain untreated.
  • We have approximately 600,000 AIDS orphans in Zambia — children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS-related illness.
  • New infections among children dropped significantly between 2010 and 2019 — but we’re still seeing thousands of preventable infections each year.

These children are not just numbers. They are in our homes, our churches, our communities. They are our future. And many of them are being left behind — not because we lack the medicine, but because we have not yet aligned our political will, moral voice, and public health systems to fully protect them.

A Crisis of Justice and Compassion

The UNICEF report makes it painfully clear: only 55% of HIV-positive children worldwide receive treatment. In Sub-Saharan Africa — which bears 86% of the global burden — some regions, like West and Central Africa, have treatment coverage as low as 37%. Zambia fares better than many neighbours — but our children are still at risk.

This is not just a health crisis. It is a justice crisis.

When Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me,” He wasn’t speaking metaphorically. He meant that children must never be hindered — not by indifference, not by poverty, not by systems that ignore them. Every untreated child in Zambia today is a child we have failed to see with the eyes of compassion and the urgency of justice.

What Zambia Must Do Now

  1. Close the treatment gap for children and adolescents
    Ensure every child living with HIV has access to early testing and antiretroviral treatment — particularly in rural and underserved provinces.
  2. Empower our faith-based clinics and missions
    Church-run health centres have been lifelines for children in remote areas. They must be fully equipped and supported as critical partners in the national HIV response.
  3. Protect and support AIDS orphans
    More than 600,000 Zambian children have lost one or both parents to HIV. They need not just food and schooling — they need love, safety, and long-term support.
  4. Tackle stigma — especially for adolescents
    Young people still fear discrimination in schools, churches, and clinics. We must train our leaders, teachers, and health workers to be sources of healing, not silence.
  5. Push for regional and global solidarity
    Zambia must advocate alongside neighbours for equitable access to child-friendly HIV formulations, increased donor funding, and shared strategies for the most vulnerable.

Let the Children Come — And Let Nothing Stand in Their Way

As a Jesuit priest, I am moved not only by the data — but by the Gospel truth it demands of us. Jesus welcomed children as full citizens of the Kingdom. To ignore them in our policies, our budgets, or our healthcare priorities is to ignore Christ Himself.

Let us not fail the children of Zambia. Let us remove the barriers — be they policy, funding, stigma, or silence — that still stand in their way. Because no child in our country should die of AIDS in 2025.

This is our time.
This is our test.
This is our turn to say: Let the children come.

Fr. Charlie B. Chilufya, S.J.
Jesuit Priest | Public and International Affairs Analyst

Sources:

  • UNICEF 2025 Global HIV Estimates (released July 2025)
  • UNICEF Zambia: HIV/AIDS Facts
  • UNAIDS Zambia Country Data 2024
  • National HIV/AIDS Council Reports
  • WHO Global Health Observatory

 

Bitcoin could hit $125K this week amid regulatory and political support

Chief Editor
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Bitcoin could hit $125K this week amid regulatory and political support

Bitcoin is on track to reach $125,000 in the coming days, predicts Nigel Green, CEO of global finan coal advisory giant deVere Group, as support from President Trump, sweeping regulatory moves in Washington, and accelerating institutional demand converge to drive the cryptocurrency’s price to new highs.

“Bitcoin has blasted through $122,000, and all the indicators point to $125,000 in sight this week,” says Nigel Green. “It’s being powered by deep political backing, new regulatory clarity, and sustained institutional inflows. This is a powerful combination we haven’t seen at this scale before.”

The world’s largest cryptocurrency surged to $121,207 early Monday, doubling its value over the past year. The gains follow a flurry of developments in the US, including President Trump’s public positioning as the “crypto president” and a series of bills scheduled for debate in the House of Representatives this week.

Among them, the Genius Act is expected to create a federal framework for stablecoins—one of the most significant regulatory steps the US has taken to date.

“This is not crypto on the fringe anymore,” says deVere CEO..

“This is front and center of US financial policy. Trump is championing it, lawmakers are acting on it, and Wall Street is all-in.”

The renewed drive from Washington is turbocharging optimism in markets already buoyed by record-breaking inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs. Major players including BlackRock and Fidelity are continuing to scale up their exposure, sending a powerful signal to both retail and institutional investors.

“Wall Street has crossed the Rubicon,” Nigel Green continues. “The capital is committed. The infrastructure is there. The political will is building. The market is responding exactly as we expected.”

deVere has previously forecast Bitcoin reaching $150,000 within this cycle—a target the firm is now doubling down on.

“The trajectory to $150K is intact, but investors should expect a sharp move to $140K, then a healthy sell-off before we power higher,” says Nigel Green.

“Investments of this magnitude don’t move in straight lines. They surge, cool, consolidate, then break out again. That’s the phase we’re entering.”

Bitcoin’s surge is also being echoed in related equities, with US-listed crypto miners and ETF-linked stocks substantial gains. Bitcoin’s market cap now exceeds $2.3 trillion, reinforcing its grip on the $3.8 trillion global digital asset space.

“The scale of capital entering the space is rewriting the map,” Nigel Green adds. “This isn’t hype. This is asset reallocation on a global level.”

deVere attributes the current rally not just to speculation, but to fundamental changes in the structure of the market. Recent moves by nation-states, institutional allocators, and regulators are helping to strip away the longstanding barriers to mainstream crypto adoption.

“Once the US locks in a formal framework, we expect others to follow. This is how the tipping point begins,” he says.

He concludes: The $125K milestone is within reach now, and when it comes, it will confirm what we’ve been saying: that Bitcoin is not only back, but can be expected to break through every ceiling put in front of it if the momentum continues.”

Impasse Over Kasompe Airstrip Land A time Bomb

Chief Editor
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Impasse Over Kasompe Airstrip Land A time Bomb

Dear Editor,

I write to bring it to the attention of the listening President Mr Hakainde Hichilema that the situation at Kasompe Airstrip is a time bomb yet to explode in the face of politics.

After the demolition of the houses there three years ago, instigated by the Council through the Mayor, everybody was meant to believe that the airstrip was encroached by people, yet it is actually council that had planned that area secretly and named it New Ndeke. People were only used as a scape goat.

Later on, there were court litigations which are still going on but surprisingly, council with its stubbornness by the Town Clerk Namukolo Kalufyanya, have taken soldiers there who are currently harassingly people, even passersby. Apparently, these officers are operating on instructions by Council through the Mayor, Councillors Mbalama, Muke and the Town Clerk so that they grab land and sell to the highest bidder.

It is not a shock that a lot of land relocation in Chingola is a sorry state where even resolutions by the council take ages to be implemented. When asked, our civic leaders are saying the town clerk is not sanctioning and when pushed she claims she is highly connected and can not be pushed. Why did Chingola accept this woman who was rejected everywhere prior to her posting here? She was fired in PF because of such behavior of undermining the government of the day.

My appeal to the President is that Chingola will be difficult for campaigns, especially if the current serving leaders have to re-adopted. We are watching as we count eight months to go. Enough is enough for people of Chingola.

CONCERNED CHINGOLA RESIDENT

Zambia ,UAE Strengthen Bilateral Ties through Trade ,Investment and Human Capital Development

Chief Editor
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Zambia ,UAE Strengthen Bilateral Ties through Trade ,Investment and Human Capital Development

Zambia’s strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) received a major boost today following a high-level bilateral meeting between President Hakainde Hichilema and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Shakhbout Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, at State House in Lusaka.

The engagement reaffirmed the deepening ties between the two nations, with a shared commitment to fostering mutually beneficial cooperation across key economic sectors, including mining, energy, agriculture, and tourism.

“Our government-to-government partnership continues to grow from strength to strength,” President Hichilema said in a statement following the talks. “These collaborations are aimed at unlocking tangible economic benefits, creating jobs, promoting entrepreneurship, and generating business opportunities for our people.”

President Hichilema emphasized that the relationship between Zambia and the UAE is not only rooted in investment and trade, but also in building sustainable development frameworks, particularly through human capital development.

“We highly commend the UAE’s commitment to training our public service workforce,” he added. “This aligns with our national vision to provide public services that are not only effective and efficient but also timely—breaking away from the bureaucratic inefficiencies of the past.”

The UAE has emerged as one of Zambia’s fastest-growing foreign partners, with investments already flowing into renewable energy projects and agribusiness ventures. Officials from both countries are expected to formalize additional agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in infrastructure and technology in the months ahead.

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Barrick Bets Big On Zambia’s Copper Future Despite Trump Tariff Shock

Chief Editor
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Barrick Bets Big On Zambia’s Copper Future Despite Trump Tariff Shock

Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold Corporation says the future of copper remains bright despite a looming 50% U.S. tariff that has jolted global markets and created short-term price volatility. The company is forging ahead with its $2 billion expansion of the Lumwana copper mine in Zambia, doubling down on Africa’s role in the global energy transition.

Speaking in Lusaka last week, Barrick CEO Mark Bristow acknowledged the market tremors caused by U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to impose steep copper tariffs starting August 1. The move, aimed at boosting domestic supply for critical sectors like defense and electric vehicles, sent U.S. copper futures soaring — but also sparked fears of price drops elsewhere as major producers like Chile redirect their exports.

Still, Bristow remained upbeat.

“The copper price is going to be unstable just like everything else in the world, and we will have to get out of this instability,” he told reporters. “But the fundamentals haven’t changed — copper demand is outpacing supply, and that imbalance is only going to grow.”

Bristow cited the proliferation of data centers, clean energy infrastructure, and industrialization across emerging markets as major growth drivers.

“Everyone agrees that copper demand is outgrowing the supply side. That’s why we’re investing now — ahead of the tightening,” he said.

Zambia’s Copper Hub Gathers Momentum
Barrick’s Lumwana expansion is central to that vision. The project will double output to 240,000 tonnes annually by 2028 and extend the mine’s life to 2057. A new 50-million-tonne processing plant, upgraded power infrastructure in partnership with ZESCO, and local supplier development are all part of the transformation.

“When we reviewed the Lumwana mine in 2019, it was high-cost and underperforming. Today, it’s a growing force in African copper,” said Bristow.
He added that Lumwana is poised to become “one of the world’s large and strategically important copper mines.”

The economic ripple effects are already being felt. Barrick has injected over $4 billion into Zambia’s economy since acquiring Lumwana, with 81% of Q1 2025 spending — roughly $177 million — going to Zambian suppliers. Nearly all 12,000 mine workers are Zambian, and almost half come from nearby communities.

In tandem with mining activity, Barrick is investing in local development projects, including the Manyama township, a training center for mining skills, and a regional airstrip. These initiatives align with Zambia’s Mining and Minerals 2031 Policy, which emphasizes inclusive growth and skills development.

Sustainability and Sovereignty
Environmental protection is also a key pillar. Barrick is collaborating with Zambia’s Forestry Department and local leaders to preserve up to 300,000 hectares of forest, a move that supports biodiversity, community livelihoods, and the creation of carbon credits.

“Lumwana is becoming a flagship for sustainable copper mining. It demonstrates how a world-class mine can help build an industrial ecosystem while protecting the environment and expanding economic opportunity,” Bristow noted.

Meanwhile, Barrick is contending with challenges elsewhere on the continent. In Mali, the company has initiated international arbitration after the junta retroactively applied a new mining code that grants the state a 50% stake and seized gold assets worth over $100 million.

Despite these headwinds, Barrick’s Zambia strategy reflects growing confidence in Africa’s long-term role in powering the green economy.

The Bigger Picture
As the world pivots to electric vehicles, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure, copper remains indispensable — and African producers like Zambia are at the forefront of that transformation.

While the U.S. tariff casts a shadow over short-term pricing, Bristow believes the global copper outlook remains robust.

Source: Reuters
Africa Business Insider

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