AGP Executive Report

Regional Trade: Zambia will pilot online purchases and digital verification for COMESA Yellow Card motor insurance, aiming to cut fraud and border delays. Health: Zambia’s removal from the WHO health workforce red list follows a major recruitment drive; a US health pact is expected to support further hiring and essential medicines. Debt and Growth: President Hakainde Hichilema welcomed Moody’s projection of one of the region’s steepest debt reductions, as Zambia pursues a new US$1.47 billion IMF programme. Public Spending: Treasury says 2027 Constituency Development Fund allocations may be lower than planned because of revenue pressures, putting community projects in focus. Power Supply: Kariba’s usable water storage has fallen to 37%, renewing concerns about electricity generation and possible blackouts. Poverty: Zambia’s multidimensional poverty rate has declined, but population growth has increased the number of people affected.

Copper Queens: Captain Barbra Banda says Zambia must stay composed as it seeks to overturn a 2–1 aggregate deficit against Uganda in today’s Olympic qualifying decider in Ndola. Debt and Growth: Moody’s expects Zambia to record one of the region’s sharpest debt reductions. The government has also reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a new $1.47 billion programme, while President Hakainde Hichilema says debt relief should support jobs and investment. Public Finances: Treasury released K14.6 billion in September, including K5.4 billion for debt and arrears and K1.8 billion for social benefits. Mining Returns: ZCCM-IH paid shareholders K183 million, its 11th straight annual dividend, backed by stronger mining and energy investment income. Poverty and Health: Zambia’s poverty rate has fallen, but population growth means the number of people in poverty has still risen. Health officials are also urging climate-informed planning as El Niño threatens droughts and floods.

Debt and Growth: Moody’s says Zambia could record one of sub-Saharan Africa’s steepest debt declines. President Hakainde Hichilema welcomed the projection as the country awaits approval of a proposed $1.472 billion IMF programme. Public Finances: Government released K14.6 billion in September, including K5.4 billion for debt and arrears and K5.4 billion for public-sector wages. Treasury also plans to cut Food Reserve Agency funding in 2027, saying existing maize stocks can support future purchases. Cost of Living: Lusaka bus fares rose by K2 on local routes, prompting consumer advocates to warn that some commuters may walk as transport costs climb. Climate and Health: Health Minister Roma Chilengi says 2027 health planning must account for El Niño-related droughts and floods, with climate data being linked to malaria and diarrhoeal disease trends. Youth and Jobs: More than 500 young people are expected at a November summit in Lusaka to discuss their role in the Grow Zambia agenda.

IMF Deal: Zambia has reached a staff-level agreement for a US$1.47 billion, three-year IMF programme, pending board approval. The deal calls for higher revenue and a larger budget surplus, raising concerns that tax increases could add to pressure on households. Health Partnership: Zambia and the US have signed a five-year health agreement, with Washington committing about US$1.5 billion. The pact followed a dispute over data-sharing terms, which officials say were narrowed. Public Funds: The Treasury released K14.6 billion in September, including K435.8 million for social cash transfers. Separately, the Anti-Corruption Commission charged a former ministry accountant over the alleged diversion of K44.6 million meant for the programme. Football and Politics: Government and FAZ condemned political chants at Nkana Stadium and warned supporters to keep political messages out of football, citing safety and the sport’s role in bringing people together.

Public Spending: Zambia released K14.6 billion in September, including K5.4 billion for public-service wages, K5.4 billion for debt payments and arrears, and K435.8 million for Social Cash Transfers. Health: Zambia and the US have signed a five-year health partnership, with Washington pledging about $1.5 billion after disputed patient-data and specimen-sharing terms were dropped. Economy: Zambia reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a new $1.47 billion, three-year programme, subject to approval. Lusaka: Residents say the CBD is cleaner and easier to navigate after a city clean-up led by Mayor Chitambala Mwewa, though the work is ongoing. Politics: Davies Mwila says calls for national reconciliation ring hollow while opposition figures Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu remain detained, and is again urging an inquiry into former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya’s death.

Health Partnership: Zambia and the US have signed a five-year pact with about $1.5 billion in US funding for health programmes, including HIV, malaria, TB and maternal care. The agreement drops patient-data and specimen-sharing clauses that sparked public criticism. IMF Deal: Lusaka has reached a staff-level agreement for a proposed $1.47 billion, 36-month IMF programme, pending board approval. Civil society groups warn that debt repayments must not come at the cost of jobs or household support. Grow Zambia: President Hakainde Hichilema has set ambitious targets for agriculture, mining, energy and tourism, and ordered government institutions to switch to electric vehicles. A development expert has questioned whether the state can afford the transition. Public Holiday: Government has moved the National Day of Prayer from October 18 to December 29, combining it with the Christian Nation commemoration. Critics say the two observances should remain separate.

IMF Deal: Zambia has reached a staff-level agreement on a new $1.47 billion, three-year IMF programme, subject to board approval. Civil society group CSPR says its success must be measured in jobs, incomes and poverty reduction, not stability alone. Health Partnership: Zambia and the US have signed a $2.49 billion health cooperation pact after removing data- and specimen-sharing clauses. The agreement includes plans to recruit 40,000 health workers, while doctors’ representatives say recruitment should prioritise those already in the system. Grow Zambia Agenda: Opening Parliament, President Hakainde Hichilema set ambitious targets for growth in farming, mining, energy and tourism. He also ordered government institutions to buy electric vehicles and announced plans for new fuel pipelines to diversify supply. Public Holiday Change: Government has moved the National Day of Prayer from October 18 to December 29, merging it with the Christian Heritage commemoration. Critics say the observances should remain separate.

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.