The Government of Zambia has received a significant boost to its school feeding program following the donation of yellow split peas worth €2.7 million from the French Government. The official handover ceremony was officiated by Minister of Education, Hon. Douglas Syakalima, in response to the ongoing drought crisis affecting over 6.6 million Zambians.
The Zambian government has initiated an independent investigation into the acid spillage in the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers, which occurred on 18 February 2025 in Copperbelt Province. The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment aims to assess the environmental and economic impact and identify measures to prevent future incidents.
In a bid to strengthen economic cooperation, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia held high-level bilateral talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, focusing on trade, investment, and knowledge exchange across key economic sectors.
The discussions underscored Egypt’s advancement in infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and health areas where Zambia aims to leverage Egyptian expertise to drive economic growth. Both leaders emphasized the need for expanded collaboration between public and private sectors, to foster cross-border investment opportunities.
Zambian authorities have issued a flood warning for several regions as a tropical low-pressure system continues to strengthen over the Mozambique Channel, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the southern half of the country.
<p> In a strategic move to enhance fuel security and stabilize pricing, the Zambian government has entered into discussions with Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This potential partnership is expected to reduce fuel costs, strengthen energy security, and stimulate economic growth in Zambia.</p>
The Zambian government has suspended the 15% export duty on gemstones and precious metals but retains key taxes to sustain revenue. A 6% mineral royalty tax, higher than Brazil’s 2% and Colombia’s 2.5%, and a 30% corporate income tax remain in effect.
Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane emphasized Zambia’s role as a top global gemstone exporter. The 15% export duty, introduced in 2019 to encourage local value addition, was suspended in 2020 and remains lifted to maintain industry competitiveness.
A major water contamination incident has disrupted supply in Kitwe and Kalulushi. The pollution, traced to Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited, resulted from a breached tailings dam, releasing acidic effluent with heavy metals into the Mwambashi River.
Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, confirmed that 75% of leach residue entered the river, affecting thousands of residents, damaging crops, and killing fish.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has intensified its crackdown on illegal drug activities, leading to the dismantling of cannabis cultivation networks in North-Western and Northern Provinces.
In a series of operations, DEC officers uncovered substantial amounts of illegally cultivated cannabis, resulting in multiple arrests and drug seizures.
Mopani Copper Mines PLC has dismissed claims made by Kankoyo Constituency Member of Parliament, Hon. Heartson Mabeta, regarding a meeting between his office and Mopani Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Charles Sakanya, over the Mufulira copper slag dump, also known as the Mufulira Black Mountain.
The Zambian government has announced the suspension of export duty on precious stones and metals, a move aimed at stimulating the mining sector and increasing international trade competitiveness. This development follows the issuance of Statutory Instrument No. 4 of 2025, titled The Customs and Excise (Precious Stones and Metals) (Export Duty) (Suspension) Order, 2025.
