Favourite K. Chisi

The Ministry of Agriculture has cautioned that misinformation and disinformation are emerging as major threats to progress in science, food security, and public health. Speaking on behalf of Agriculture Minister Reuben Phiri at the opening of the Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC) 2025 Symposium, Zambia Agriculture Research Institute Director Dr. Ndashe Kapula said falsehoods are eroding trust, delaying innovation and, in some cases, costing lives. “Science is at war with misinformation. Zambia has not been spared the devastating effects of distorted information, which strike at the very heart of our economy and livelihoods agriculture. This sector supports more than 70 percent of our population and is central to rural development,” Dr. Kapula said. He has said  that government continues to invest heavily in research and innovation to boost food security and climate resilience. Achievements include the development of drought- and fall armyworm   tolerant maize va...

The Zambian Empowerment Hub for Entrepreneurship and Skills Training (ZEHEST) has embarked on a landmark project to translate Constituency Development Fund (CDF) guidelines into local languages to increase community participation. ZEHEST Founder and Chief Executive Officer Clarence Muzyamba said many Zambians struggle to access the CDF because the guidelines are written only in English, excluding those with low literacy levels. “We have noticed a big gap in understanding application procedures for CDF. Once the guidelines are translated, people in rural areas will be able to prepare bankable applications and access the much-needed funds,” Mr. Muzyamba said. He appealed to government, development partners and the private sector to collaborate with ZEHEST in implementing the project, which he described as “robust but critical.” Mr. Muzyamba also called for more training in business and financial management to ensure beneficiaries use CDF loans effectively and repay them on time. “CDF is ...

The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has announced significant achievements in the first half of 2025, including the type approval of seven new models of measuring instruments for the Zambian market. Type approval is the formal process through which ZMA evaluates and certifies measuring instruments to ensure they meet legal, technical, and performance requirements before being used for trade. Between January and June 2025, the agency successfully calibrated 2,213 instruments and standards, surpassing its target of 2,073 an achievement rate of 107 percent, according to ZMA Executive Director Humphrey Nkobeni. Speaking during a mid-year performance review press briefing, Mr. Nkobeni said the agency also conducted 38,735 statutory verifications against a target of 37,728, representing a performance of 103 percent. “This above-target performance demonstrates ZMA’s unwavering commitment to promoting measurement accuracy, reliability, and compliance across key sectors, including manufacturing, ...

Zambia’s mining sector continues to attract attention from international investors, thanks to its investor-friendly policies and rich mineral deposits. Beltz Mining Limited Director Nkandu Beltz   has called on investors to adhere to Zambia’s mining regulations and partner with local stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth in the sector. Ms. Beltz has said that  Zambia’s investor-friendly policies, including a legal framework that allows investors to repatriate profits after complying with the country’s rules. “Investors must follow the rules and regulations when they come to our country,” Beltz said. “Equally important is partnering with locals. "Gone are the days when companies could operate without Zambian participation. Local involvement is crucial for building wealth and ensuring that the benefits of mining extend to our people.” Ms. Beltz  said that transparent operations and inclusive partnerships are key to strengthening Zambia’s mining sector while fostering ec...

The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA)  has intensified efforts to protect farmers and buyers following the bumper 2024–2025 harvest, ensuring fairness in agricultural trade through accurate measurements. During the current marketing season, ZMA has conducted statutory verification of all scales at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA)  and extended inspections to all grain buyers and sellers nationwide, including roadside traders. Speaking at a media briefing, ZMA Executive Director Humphrey Nkobeni   has confirmed that inspectors have already visited districts in the Southern, Copperbelt, Central, and Eastern provinces, and are currently active in Muchinga, Luapula, and Northern provinces. “We appeal to all farmers to sell their grain only to buyers with ZMA-certified scales ,” Mr. Nkobeni said. “Using uncertified scales risks underpayment for your grain, and buyers risk overpaying. Integrity in measurement is critical for sustaining the agricultural sector.” He has also thanked sta...

Chawama aspiring parliamentary candidate Morgan Muunda has made a bold promise to his constituents ,  if elected, he will bring jobs, improved infrastructure, and social services to the area, pledging a leadership style he calls “servant leadership.” Mr. Muunda said his campaign was nearly complete, with “90 percent of the path to victory cleared,” and assured residents that he would represent them with dedication and integrity. “I’ll toil, even work in a toilet to raise money to improve your quality of life. I’ll take every risk for you, my people. I will be your son, your father, your uncle, your nephew. We shall be one family,” Muunda said. He has highlighted the achievements of President Hakainde Hichilema, noting the revival of industries, creation of jobs, and reduction in fertilizer costs as examples of government-led initiatives that would benefit Chawama. “Our president sacrificed his business career to work for our country. Today, we see mines opening, industries revived,...

Mimbula Minerals Limited and  Moxico Resources Group PLC   has clarified that its farmer compensation exercise is being conducted in a fair and transparent manner, dismissing reports suggesting that affected farmers are receiving minimal payments. Company Public Relations and Corporate Affairs Officer Ian Chitu Chomba said the process has been carried out with the involvement of government officials, affected farmers and technical experts from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to ensure accuracy and accountability. He has explained that compensation amounts vary depending on the extent of the impact,  the size of the land   affected,  and verified technical evaluations conducted on-site. Mr. Chomba said 85 percent of the registration process has been completed and the disbursement of funds to affected farmers is expected to begin soon. He added that environmental consultancy firm Drizit Environmental will undertake a full cleanup of the affected areas once...