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The United States government has announced a drastic cut of $50 million (K1.4 billion) in annual medical aid to Zambia, citing rampant theft of life-saving drugs and the Zambian government’s failure to act decisively on the matter. U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzalez, revealed that from 2021 to 2023, undercover buyers visited over 2,000 private pharmacies across the country and discovered a deeply entrenched black market for stolen medical supplies. “Shockingly, 95 percent of the pharmacies visited were selling stolen goods. Of these, 45 percent were selling medications and medical supplies that had been donated by the U.S. government for free distribution to the Zambian people,” Mr. Gonzalez said during a press briefing. “This was not isolated   it occurred in all ten provinces.” He said t he remaining stolen stock was traced to supplies purchased by the Zambian government, the Global Fund, and other international donors. Mr. Gonzalez said u pon uncovering the theft in lat...

The Consortium of Civil Society Organization's (CSOs) has called on the Chief Justice of Zambia, Mumba Malila, to urgently prioritize the establishment of a specialized Electoral Court as part of the High Court ahead of the 2026 general elections. In a statement, Consortium Chairperson Isaac Mwanza has stressed that the creation of an Electoral Court would significantly enhance the handling of electoral disputes. He has noted that such a court would ensure timely, transparent, and expert resolutions of electoral conflicts, which are critical for maintaining public trust in Zambia's democratic processes. “As Zambia continues to consolidate its democracy, the swift and credible resolution of electoral conflicts is vital. An Electoral Court will not only improve efficiency but also foster fairness in electoral outcomes,” said Mr. Mwanza. The CSO Chairperson has further appealed to Zambia’s cooperating partners to consider supporting the establishment and operationalisation of the ...

Picture Courtesy of UNHCR Zambia The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) , in partnership with the Government of Zambia, has launched the Forced Displacement Survey (FDS)  to assess the socio-economic conditions of refugees and host communities in the country. This marks the first nationally representative study of its kind in Zambia. The FDS aims to map out vulnerabilities, living conditions, access to services like education and healthcare, economic activity, self-reliance levels, and coping strategies. The results will play a crucial role in ensuring refugees are included in development programs, national statistics, and planning systems, and will support Zambia’s commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees . UNHCR Representative in Zambia   Preeta Law , has underscored the significance of the survey, noting that it’s not just about data collection but about making both refugee and host communities visible in local planning processes. By making refug...

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has issued a stern warning to hotels and businesses that are hostile toward unionization, threatening to stop all business dealings with establishments that violate workers' rights. ZCTU President Blake Mulala has announced that the Congress will instruct all labor unions across the country to avoid holding meetings, workshops, or conferences at hotels where workers are not unionized. “No facility will host our conferences or meetings without confirming if their workers are unionized. If they are not, we will not do business with them,” Mr. Mulala stated.  He has directed ZCTU Secretary General Joy Beene to ensure the directive is implemented. Mr. Mulala has further warned of launching a global campaign against anti-union establishments, especially multinational firms, saying they will mobilize international unions to boycott such companies. “This is not just a local fight , labor unions are global, and we will call on our colleagues outsi...

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has offered to take up the role of providing checks and balances to the government, citing the disorganization among opposition political parties  in the country. ZCTU President Blake Mulala has expressed disappointment with the current state of opposition parties in Zambia, stating that in a democratic nation, a strong and organized opposition is essential to ensure accountability. "We are not happy to see the opposition fighting amongst themselves. It shows they are not ready to govern. We cannot be led by confused leaders," Mr. Mulala said. He has emphasized that no government can come into power without the support of the Congress and stressed the need for leadership that is organized and focused. Mr. Mulala has revealed that the ZCTU will soon engage with political leaders aspiring for office ahead of the general elections to understand their plans for workers. "We have our manifesto. We want to see what they are offering t...

The Ministry of Agriculture has distanced itself from a misleading advertisement currently circulating on social media titled, "Expression of Interest for the Agriculture Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) Grant Initiative 2025." Ministry Principal Public Relations Officer, Mr. Balewa Zyuulu, has assured members of the public   particularly farmers, agribusinesses, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector   that the Ministry has not issued any such call for applications or grant initiatives under the stated title. Mr. Zyuulu has stated that the document, which bears the Ministry’s name, logo, and purported contact details, is unauthorized, fraudulent, and should be disregarded in its entirety. He has clarified that all official communications, including funding opportunities and public calls for proposals, are issued exclusively through the Ministry’s verified communication platforms and channels. “ Any links or application procedures not shared via these official outlets,...

Indo Zambia Bank has launched two new initiatives the Indo Dairy Production Finance Scheme  and the Indo Dairy Development Finance Scheme  aimed at boosting milk production and dairy farm development among smallholder farmers across Zambia. Speaking at the launch, Indo Zambia Bank Managing Director, Brajesh Kumar, said the schemes are designed to empower dairy farmers with affordable and accessible financial products, further demonstrating the Bank's commitment to the agricultural sector. Under the Indo Dairy Production Finance Scheme , the Bank will provide short-term financing to cover essential operational costs such as animal feeding and veterinary care. Key features of the scheme include: Purpose : Working capital for operational and input costs. Eligibility : Dairy Association of Zambia members in good standing with at least two years' experience and a minimum of two cows tied to a reputable off-taker. Loan Nature : Overdraft or Working Capital Term Loan. Amount : K6,000...