AGP Executive Report

Grow Zambia Agenda: President Hakainde Hichilema opened the new National Assembly with targets including 10 million tonnes of maize, 10,000MW of power and five million tourist visits a year. He also pledged more electric vehicles for government and fuel pipelines linking Zambia with four neighbours. Public Holiday Change: Government has cancelled the October 18 public holiday, merging it with the Christian Heritage commemoration on December 29, which becomes a public holiday this year. Some leaders want the October observance kept separate. US Health Pact: Zambia and the United States signed a five-year agreement worth $2.49 billion in combined commitments. The deal excludes patient data and specimen-sharing clauses; talks on a separate minerals agreement continue. Travel Costs: Bus fares rose from October 9, including a K2 increase on local Lusaka routes and an average 7% rise on intercity routes, following fuel-price increases. Maize Deal Scrutiny: Malawi’s government says the World Bank approved a $13.9 million transfer from its water board to support a maize purchase for Zambia, but parliamentarians are seeking clarity on the funding and households meant to benefit.

Energy: Axian Energy and Africa GreenCo have signed a power purchase agreement for a 240MW solar project in Zambia, adding to a fast-growing pipeline of solar generation. US Health Deal: Zambia has signed a five-year, $2.49 billion health partnership with the US after removing clauses on sharing medical specimens and individual patient records. The pact includes $1.52 billion in planned US assistance and a $975 million Zambian commitment; a separate minerals deal remains under negotiation. Transport Costs: Bus fares rose nationwide today. Lusaka local routes increase by K2, peri-urban fares by K3, while intercity fares rise by an average of 7%. Parliament: President Hakainde Hichilema has opened the 14th National Assembly, now comprising 280 lawmakers following constitutional changes. National Observance: The government and church bodies have moved the National Day of Prayer to December 29, combining it with the Christian Heritage commemoration. By-elections: NRPUP says it will sit out all November 5 by-elections, citing financial constraints and internal disputes.

US Health Pact: Zambia and the US signed a five-year, $2.49 billion health agreement after dropping clauses on sharing patient data and specimens. Zambia says any critical-minerals deal with Washington will be negotiated separately. Lusaka Governance: Newly installed Mayor Chitambala Mwewa has pledged to put residents first, with waste, drainage, traffic and sanitation among the capital’s pressing challenges. Growth and Energy: President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking IMF backing for the Grow Zambia agenda and courting Gulf investors. He also says solar capacity has passed 1,000MW, though transmission investment must keep pace. Climate and Economy: Forecasters expect strong El Niño conditions through at least February, raising drought risks; Zambia’s Food Reserve Agency is building maize stocks. Moody’s has also shifted its outlook for sub-Saharan Africa to positive, naming Zambia among the countries with improved prospects while warning that debt and climate risks remain.

US Health Deal: Zambia signed a $1.5 billion US health funding pact after removing patient-data and specimen-sharing clauses. Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe says a separate critical-minerals deal with Washington is still under negotiation. Economic Agenda: President Hakainde Hichilema has asked the IMF to support the Grow Zambia Agenda as talks begin on a successor programme; he is also courting UAE and Gulf investors for mining, energy, agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure. Lusaka: Newly installed Mayor Chitambala Mwewa says keeping the capital clean will require cooperation between the council, government, businesses and communities, with urgent work on waste, drainage, roads and congestion. Economic Outlook: Moody’s has shifted its outlook for sub-Saharan Africa to positive, naming Zambia among eight countries with that outlook, while warning that debt costs, climate risks and limited public revenues remain concerns.

Health Deal: Zambia has signed a revised health compact with the United States after dropping clauses on sharing patient data and biological samples. Opposition leader Fred M’membe says the changes do not end aid dependency and is demanding the full agreement be published. Economic Outlook: The World Bank raised its 2026 growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa to 4.3%, naming Zambia among countries with stronger prospects, but warned that growth is not yet creating enough jobs or reducing poverty. Power Links: A $300 million Zambia–DRC interconnector is planned to carry up to 550 MW to the DRC’s Copperbelt and open new export routes for Zambian power producers. Lusaka: Mayor Chitambala Mwewa has been sworn in as the city advances its clean-up and CBD decongestion plans. Public Safety: Ghana has warned citizens about fake job offers in Zambia after six Ghanaians were arrested in a Lusaka operation; its foreign ministry says some recruits may have been coerced into cybercrime. Climate Readiness: Central Province officials are calling for investment in rainwater and groundwater harvesting as Zambia prepares for drought risks.

Health Deal: Zambia is set to sign a five-year US$3.6 billion health financing agreement, with the US contributing US$1.516 billion and Zambia US$2.107 billion. The revised deal drops specimen-sharing and individual patient-data clauses. Lusaka: Mayor Chitambala Mwewa has been sworn in as the city’s clean-up moves to a second phase: placing vendors in designated trading areas. Economy: The World Bank raised its 2026 growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa to 4.3% and named Zambia among four countries where improved economic management is showing results. But growth is not yet translating into strong poverty reduction. Food Security: Government says it is building strategic maize reserves to more than one million tonnes and preparing for El Niño, as warnings point to severe food shortages for about 1.2 million people. Wildlife: Three African wild dogs travelled more than 2,500 miles across Zambia and neighbouring countries in search of mates, a journey researchers say could help conservation. Public Safety: Ghana has warned its citizens about fake job offers in Zambia after six Ghanaians were arrested in a cybercrime raid; officials say some recruits may have been trafficked and coerced into illegal work.

U.S.-Zambia Health Deal: Zambia says it will sign a revised $1.5bn (over five years) U.S. health agreement this Thursday, now removing specimen-sharing and dropping contentious data-sharing and related clauses after months of objections. Church-State Clarification: Government has denied social media claims that church meetings, overnight prayers, crusades and public gatherings were suspended until 1 November, saying no such directive exists. Cybercrime Warning: Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has warned Ghanaians to verify job offers after six Ghanaians were arrested in Lusaka in a cybercrime raid tied to alleged fake recruitment and forced scam activity. Local Business & Jobs: Multotec Zambia opens a new Central Africa regional head office and manufacturing hub in Chingola to expand locally made and refurbished equipment support across the region. Conservation Update: Six cheetahs have returned to Zambia’s Greater Luangwa after nearly 30 years, with conservationists monitoring the reintroduction as protection and prey recovery continue. Energy & Finance: Orb Energy secured $2m to expand East Africa C&I solar projects, while the World Bank raised Nigeria’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.3% and noted Zambia among countries seeing upgraded outlooks.

Health Deal Update: Zambia will sign a revised five-year US health agreement worth US$1.5bn from the United States (total US$3.6bn with Zambia), after removing contentious clauses on specimen sharing and narrowing data-sharing to monitoring and evaluation of US-funded programmes. Urban Management: Lusaka City Council says it has moved from phase one of “Operation Clear Path” to phase two, targeting a decongested CBD by relocating buses from undesignated spots and cracking down on illegal trading, with police reporting dozens of bus impounds and arrests. Education & Teachers: Government plans to launch a teacher grievance redress mechanism guideline this month, alongside a Teacher Professional Development Index, as Zambia marks World Teachers’ Day. Sports: The NSCZ has postponed the Region 5 Torch Relay to today at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. Regional Trade: President Hichilema urged deeper Zambia–Angola–DRC coordination and private-sector partnerships to speed up the Lobito Corridor. Business & Tech: Paratus launched Eutelsat OneWeb low-earth-orbit satellite service in Namibia, promising low-latency connectivity and better customer control.

Lobito Corridor Push: President Hakainde Hichilema says the Lobito Corridor is a key building block for AfCFTA, urging Angola, DRC and Zambia to deepen joint ventures and expand road/rail links to unlock jobs and youth opportunities. Education & Teachers: ZUPED commends Government’s free education policy, citing millions of learners returning, thousands of teachers recruited and major classroom expansion, while officials urge parents and communities to back quality learning. Elections & Peace: ECZ is preparing for by-elections including Sioma’s ward nominations on 8 October, with officers calling for peaceful, orderly conduct after past violence. Tobacco Crackdown: TCDI data puts Zambia’s illicit cigarette prevalence at 12.2%, with imported cigarettes far more likely to be illicit, pointing to supply-chain enforcement weaknesses. Health Systems: Ministry of Health and CIDRZ train frontline workers in Western Province to detect and manage advanced HIV disease earlier at primary level. Civic Rights in Lusaka: ZCLU condemns remarks linking refugees to street-vending problems, warning against hostility and discrimination. Sports: Copper Queens arrive in Kampala for the Olympic qualifier against Uganda, with foreign-based players joining camp ahead of Thursday’s first leg. Energy Outlook: The World Bank says Zambia is emerging from the electricity crisis and could become a regional power-trading hub as generation and transmission investment grows.

Grow Zambia Push: President Hakainde Hichilema urged Zambians to turn the Grow Zambia agenda into a production drive, saying the country must become a producer of goods, not just a consumer, while also warning chiefs to sensitise communities to keep enough maize ahead of El Niño drought fears. Food Security & Drought Readiness: At Samu Lya Moomba in Monze, he told households to store maize in granaries and said Government will support vulnerable people through the Food Reserve Agency and other programmes. Electricity Outlook: The World Bank says Zambia is emerging from its electricity crisis and could become a regional power-trading hub as solar and transmission investments expand. Health Deal Transparency: Zambia is ready to sign a US$1.5bn health agreement with the United States after revising key terms, including dropping a requirement to share biological specimens outside the country; opposition leader Antonio Mwanza is demanding the full agreement be published first. ZAMMSA Reset: Health Minister Roma Chilengi says the 150 fired ZAMMSA employees can reapply for jobs under the agency’s new structure, with recruitment open to the public. Football—Olympic Qualifiers & Camps: Copper Queens arrived in Kampala for the Olympic qualifier against Uganda, with foreign-based players joining camp; Copper Princesses also landed in Morocco for a 10-day build-up to the U-17 Women’s World Cup. Church-State Tensions: The Vatican’s representative says the Catholic Church will keep working with Government, while Zambia’s Deputy Spokesperson insists the law applies to everyone after Archbishop Alick Banda’s arrest over a Hilux case. Politics in Court: In Solwezi, opposition leaders Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu face a sedition plea as concerns grow over detention and court timelines. Telecom Appointments: MTN Zambia appointed Joshua Sichinga as chief consumer officer, effective 1 October.

Ghana-US Health Compact Row: Ghana’s President Mahama says a proposed $109m US health compact was “humiliating” for requiring pathogen profiles and medical records and limiting FDA checks, while the US Embassy says it sought only aggregate data and keeps the door open. Zambia Politics & Governance: A Western Province pressure group, Project 2090, is pushing to scrap Zambia’s presidential two-term limit, arguing consistency with other term-limit changes; meanwhile, State House terminated DIG Charity Munganga’s appointment as Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration. Grow Zambia Agenda Focus: Hichilema urged unity, discipline and hard work for the Grow Zambia Agenda, while heads of departments were told to prioritise and budget for it under tight fiscal ceilings. Lusaka Street Vendors & Public Health: Lusaka’s clean-up and vendor relocation drive is intensifying as cholera cases rise, with enforcement framed as necessary for sanitation and drainage. Justice and Accountability: Former VP Nevers Mumba says national healing must not shield anyone from the law in the Archbishop Alick Banda property case, as Catholic bishops back a fair process. Sports: Copper Queens flew to Kampala for the Olympic qualifier first leg against Uganda; Zambia U23 coach Chisi Mbewe summoned 45 local players for AFCON U23 preparations.

Police & Governance: President Hakainde Hichilema has terminated DIG Charity Munganga’s contract as Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration, effective immediately, citing the Constitution but giving no reason or named successor. Court & Politics: NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu are being taken to Solwezi for a sedition plea after social media posts following the August election and the ECZ’s vote-count suspension. Catholic Church & Rule of Law: Regional Catholic bishops (Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe) back Archbishop Alick Banda, urging a fair, transparent process and due process as his case moves through court. Health & City Management: Lusaka’s street-vending crackdown is being paired with clean-up efforts as cholera cases rise; the city says enforcement is needed for sanitation and public health. Anti-Corruption: ZANIS news editor Chimangeni Banda is arrested over alleged concealment of K5.6m property, alongside another official. Tourism & Accountability: Concerns grow over the Tourism Ministry’s silence after Kuti Wildlife Reserve in Salima was vandalised to the ground. Economy & Food: A public fight continues over maize marketing, with UPND disowning George Mtonga’s comments while insisting FRA will keep buying and paying farmers. Sports: Zambia’s futsal team begins international friendlies against Egypt in Cairo, ahead of the 2026 Futsal AFCON.

ZAMMSA Reset: Government has started a reset of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency, separating all staff after an Auditor General forensic audit found systemic failures across procurement, warehousing and distribution, including inflated prices, missing records and diversion of medicines; Health Minister Roma Chilengi says medicine supply will continue with an interim team in place. Urban Governance: Lusaka Mayor-elect Mwewa Chitambala’s “Operation Clear Path” to remove street vendors from unauthorized areas gets extra police support, with officials warning that disruption will be met with enforcement. Local Politics: Chilanga Town Council swore in three MMPR councillors—women, youth and persons with disabilities representatives—pledging support for the Grow Zambia Agenda. Food Policy Dispute: UPND disowns George Mtonga’s comments on maize marketing, saying they are personal views and urging farmers to rely on FRA updates. Digital Economy Push: Government urged Zamtel to align with the Grow Zambia Agenda by expanding rural coverage and deepening digital financial services, as new Zamtel products are launched. Tourism Drive: Government targets five million tourists, linking culture and tourism to diplomacy and inclusive growth. Investment Calendar: Zambia Development Agency targets over US$5bn in deals at Invest-Zambia International Conference in Lusaka this December.

ZAMMSA Reset: Zambia has started a “reset” of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency, with all staff separated and an interim team put in place after a forensic audit flagged inflated procurements, missing records, unaccounted stock and diversion of medicines. Fuel Pain Points: ERB says petrol is up to K31.46 and diesel to K33.27 as tax relief ends, while commentators argue the real issue is the full supply chain and exchange-rate pressures, not one single policy. Lusaka Street Crackdown: Government says more police will back Lusaka Mayor-elect Mwewa Chitambala’s “Operation Clear Path” to remove street vendors and protect public health. Power Reliability: ZESCO is relocating a 1MVA backup generator from Heroes Stadium to Levy Mwanawasa Stadium after a disturbance disrupted the Zambia–Togo AFCON qualifier. Investment Push: Zambia targets over US$5 billion in deals at the Invest-Zambia International Conference in December, while Hichilema also seeks stronger UK investment under the Grow Zambia Agenda. Politics and Law: UPND youth leadership rejects calls to release treason detainees, saying treason is a serious state charge handled by law enforcement and courts.

Grow Zambia Agenda Push: President Hakainde Hichilema urged Parliamentarians to pass laws that advance the Grow Zambia Agenda, stressing job creation and sector reforms in energy, mining and education. UAE Deals & Local Rules: During talks in Abu Dhabi, Zambia signed about US$2.14bn in MoUs and Hichilema told Gulf investors to fully comply with local procurement rules while pushing copper output targets. IMF Talks: Zambia has begun discussions with an IMF mission on a successor programme focused on growth and jobs. Environment Governance: Government dissolved the ZEMA board, saying a new board will be announced within two weeks. Catholic Church Tensions: Catholic bishops across Africa expressed solidarity with arrested Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda, while State House responded to the bishops’ pastoral concerns over Zambia’s post-election political climate. Aquaculture & Jobs: Government says it is transforming fisheries and aquaculture; Lusaka saw the launch of Kamimbi Aqua Fish feed. Digital Services: Zamtel unveiled the MyZamtel Super App and new USSD-based services to expand homegrown connectivity and financial access. Transport Trade Link: Lusaka will host high-level Lobito Corridor talks to speed up an integrated trade route linking Zambia, Angola and the DRC. Local Economy & Food Security: Farmers are turning to bokashi compost as fertilizer prices rise, and ZSIC urged crop insurance against climate shocks. Entertainment & Society: Zambian TikToker “Why Me” was released from prison after serving a hate speech sentence. Sports: Zambia’s presence was noted in regional padel and broader African sport coverage, including Botswana’s Top 8 return.

UAE Investment Push: President Hakainde Hichilema returned from the United Arab Emirates after securing investment commitments worth over US$2.1 billion, with claims the total could rise as more deals are finalised—part of the “Grow Zambia Agenda.” IMF Talks: Zambia has begun discussions with an IMF mission on a successor programme focused on growth and jobs, as the country seeks fresh support. Fuel Prices Explained: An energy expert says Zambia’s fuel pump price adjustment must be read against earlier government tax relief that cushioned households during global oil and exchange-rate pressure. Digital Services: Zamtel launched the MyZamtel Super App plus “Create Your Own Bundle” and “Kongola Malaiti” via *115# to expand homegrown connectivity and digital financial access. Health & Inclusion: Chilanga recorded eight cholera cases with treatment and contact tracing underway, while Solwezi flagged distribution of 500+ assistive devices for persons with disabilities. Trade & Infrastructure: Lusaka will host high-level Lobito Corridor talks (Oct 5–6) to speed up the integrated route linking Zambia, Angola and the DRC to Lobito port. Local Roads: Lumwana–Kambimba border road works are underway under a PPP concession, with residents expecting better trade and jobs. Sports & Culture: Zambia’s football and cycling stories continue to draw attention, alongside a FIFA-backed pitch project in Mfuwe. Politics & Church: State House responded to Catholic bishops’ concerns over post-election democracy, while debate over Church-state tensions remains a major theme.