NGOCC WARNS ZAMBIA STAGNATING ON WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN LEADERSHIP

By Alain Kabinda

The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has raised concern over the low representation of women in Zambia’s political leadership, saying the appointment of five women among 40 Cabinet and Provincial Ministers falls short of progress towards gender equality.

NGOCC has congratulated the five women appointed to ministerial positions following the August 13, 2026 General Elections but said women’s representation remains disproportionately low despite their contribution to national development.

The five are Olive Clara Chiboola, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock; Dr Caroline Chanda Katotobwe, Minister of Trade and Exports; Brenda Tambatamba, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development; Princess Kasune, Minister of Tourism; and Sheal Mulyata, Minister of Community Development and Social Services.

In a statement issued by Executive Director Anne Mbewe-Anamela, NGOCC expressed confidence that the ministers would contribute positively to their respective sectors and advance the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda.

The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the women in carrying out their ministerial responsibilities.

However, NGOCC said the five appointments represented only 12.5 per cent of the 40 Cabinet and Provincial Minister positions, highlighting what it described as persistent gender imbalances in public leadership.

According to the organisation, women occupy five of the 30 Cabinet positions, representing 16.7 per cent, while none of the 10 Provincial Minister positions has been allocated to a woman.

NGOCC further noted that no woman with a disability had been included among the appointments.

It also expressed concern that only one of the 26 women who entered Parliament through Proportional Representation had been appointed to Cabinet, while seven of the 11 available presidential nomination slots had so far gone to men.

“These figures demonstrate that Zambia is not making progress toward gender parity,” NGOCC said.

The organisation said the latest appointments reflected limited improvement compared with the situation following the 2021 General Elections.

At the time, women held four of the 25 Cabinet positions and one of the 10 Provincial Minister positions, representing 14.3 per cent of the combined 35 positions.

NGOCC said that five years later, despite the expansion of Cabinet from 25 to 30 positions, the number of women in ministerial leadership remained virtually unchanged.

It argued that the figures reflected structural barriers affecting women’s participation at different stages of political representation, including adoption, nomination, election and appointment.

The organisation also pointed to the low number of women winning constituency seats, saying only about one in seven constituency seats was won by a woman.

According to NGOCC, rigid political structures and policy frameworks that fail to establish a level playing field continue to disadvantage women seeking elected and appointed leadership positions.

The organisation said increasing women’s representation required deliberate measures to address these barriers rather than relying on gradual changes in political participation.

NGOCC has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to take deliberate steps to increase women’s representation in future public appointments.

It identified the remaining four presidentially nominated Member of Parliament positions as an immediate opportunity to improve the gender balance in national leadership.

The organisation also urged greater consideration of women in appointments to positions such as Permanent Secretaries, District Commissioners, diplomatic missions, commissions and public boards.

NGOCC said such measures would demonstrate Zambia’s commitment to inclusive governance and its obligations under international and regional instruments promoting gender equality.

These include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa and the Southern African Development Community Gender Protocol.

The organisation argued that women’s representation should not be treated as a favour but as an important element of democratic participation and inclusive development.

NGOCC said women constitute more than half of Zambia’s population but remain underrepresented in senior decision-making positions.

The organisation called for sustained action to ensure that women have greater opportunities to contribute to policy formulation, public administration and national development.

It said increasing women’s representation across elected and appointed positions would help demonstrate the country’s commitment to gender-responsive leadership and its regional and international obligations.

While congratulating the five newly appointed ministers, NGOCC stressed that their appointments should be accompanied by broader efforts to address the persistent imbalance in women’s representation.

The organisation said the remaining nomination opportunities and future public appointments provided avenues for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to more inclusive leadership.

For NGOCC, the central issue is not only the number of women appointed to ministerial positions, but whether Zambia can establish a political and institutional environment in which women have equitable opportunities to participate in leadership at all levels.

 

ZAMBIA’S NEW CHAPTER IN CHINA TRADE

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — When a truck carrying nine tonnes of processed silk cocoons left Mpika for China in late September, it carried more than an agricultural product. It carried a glimpse of what Zambia’s export future could look like beyond copper.

For decades, copper has dominated Zambia’s trade relationship with China. Now, mulberry fields in Muchinga Province, soybean farms in Serenje and plans for a vaccine manufacturing facility in Lusaka are pointing towards a broader economic partnership built around agriculture, industrial development and public health.

A month after the silk shipment, another consignment followed. This time, 120 tonnes of soybeans from CAMCO Demonstration Farms in Serenje were shipped to China, opening another potential market for Zambian agricultural producers.

The two shipments represent early milestones in a changing trade landscape, supported by China’s decision to grant zero-tariff treatment to imports from African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

At a media briefing in Lusaka on October 22, 2026, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing described the policy as an opportunity for African countries to expand exports and strengthen their participation in international trade.

                                                      Mr. Han Jing

“Since 1st May this year, China has applied zero tariffs on 100% of tariff lines to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations,” Ambassador Han said.

He said the policy made China the first major economy to extend full, unilateral zero-tariff coverage across all tariff lines to those African partners.

Zambia’s relationship with China has long been associated with mining, particularly copper. But the latest developments suggest that agriculture and manufacturing could play a greater role in the next phase of cooperation.

According to Chinese customs data cited by Ambassador Han, Zambia’s exports to China reached US$1.665 billion in May and June 2026, representing a 39.16 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025.

The figures point to growing trade, although the contribution of individual sectors and the extent to which the latest agricultural shipments will increase Zambia’s export earnings over time remain important questions.

Under China’s zero-tariff policy, eligible Zambian products can enter the Chinese market without applicable customs duties. This could improve their price competitiveness, but it does not automatically guarantee sales.

Exporters must still meet product standards, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, transport costs and the expectations of buyers.

For agricultural producers, the opportunity will depend on whether Zambia can consistently supply the required volumes while maintaining quality and competitive prices.

In Muchinga Province, the Zambia Mupika Sericulture Company is cultivating a crop that could introduce a new dimension to Zambia’s agricultural economy.

The first shipment of nine tonnes of heat-processed cocoons to China in late September marked a new export milestone for the country.

Ambassador Han said the company was targeting annual production of 30 tonnes, with the potential to generate foreign exchange, create employment and support value addition.

He also cited estimates suggesting that sericulture could generate more than ten times the income per unit of land compared with maize.

That comparison offers an indication of the industry's potential, although actual returns will depend on production costs, yields, processing requirements and prevailing market prices.

If the industry expands sustainably, opportunities could emerge not only in mulberry cultivation and silkworm production, but also in processing, logistics and related services.

However, the initial shipment is only the beginning. The industry will need dependable buyers, appropriate technical skills, consistent production and investment in processing to establish itself as a lasting contributor to the local economy.

For Muchinga, the challenge is to turn an emerging export activity into a viable industry that delivers benefits beyond the first consignment.

In Serenje, the opportunity is rooted in a crop already familiar to Zambian farmers.

The 120-tonne soybean shipment from CAMCO Demonstration Farms represents a trial consignment into a market with substantial demand.

Ambassador Han said China imports more than 110 million tonnes of soybeans globally each year, offering a potentially significant destination for competitive Zambian producers.

Zambia’s own ambition is to produce three million tonnes of soybeans annually by 2031 under President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda.

Reaching that target would require more than access to foreign buyers. Farmers would need improved productivity, reliable inputs, storage facilities, efficient transport and dependable market arrangements.

The zero-tariff policy could help eligible Zambian soybeans compete in China, but exporters would still have to meet the country’s import requirements and deliver products at commercially viable prices.

Investment in processing could allow Zambia to produce higher-value soybean products, strengthen domestic supply chains and create employment in manufacturing and distribution.

Ambassador Han said discussions were also progressing towards market access for Zambian avocados and citrus fruits.

Zambian honey, which has already reached Chinese consumers through the China International Import Expo, provides another example of how local products could reach buyers in the Asian market.

Ambassador Han identified production capacity, market access and infrastructure as three areas requiring cooperation to help Zambian products reach Chinese consumers.

The first is capacity building. This includes training Zambian inspectors in quarantine and safety standards and improving processing technologies so that products meet Chinese import requirements.

The second is market development through platforms such as the China International Import Expo, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, e-commerce and wholesale distribution channels.

Ambassador Han highlighted the planned revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority railway as an opportunity to reduce transport costs and improve the movement of goods to export markets.

He also encouraged Chinese investment in agro-processing and food manufacturing within Zambia’s Multi-Facility Economic Zones.

These investments could help bridge the gap between agricultural production and industrial development, allowing more processing and economic activity to take place within Zambia.

For small-scale farmers and local businesses to benefit, however, access to these opportunities must extend beyond major exporters and large commercial operations.

While agricultural exports could bring more Zambian products into international markets, a separate China-Zambia initiative seeks to strengthen the country’s domestic industrial and health capacity.

The proposed Zamvax vaccine manufacturing project brings together China’s JIJIA International Medical Technology Co. Ltd and Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation.

The partnership’s memorandum of understanding was signed on October 7, 2024, in the presence of President Hakainde Hichilema.

According to Ambassador Han, the project will be developed in three phases, beginning with a cholera vaccine fill-and-finish plant in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone.

The first phase represents a planned investment of US$10 million, with an annual production capacity of 20 million doses.

Ambassador Han said construction was expected to begin before the end of October 2026.

The second phase is projected to involve approximately US$150 million for two additional human vaccines, while the third phase will focus on animal vaccines to support Zambia’s livestock sector.

The project introduces a different dimension to the economic relationship: instead of focusing only on what Zambia can sell abroad, it raises the prospect of manufacturing essential products locally.

Ambassador Han said domestic vaccine production could strengthen public health preparedness, reduce reliance on imported finished vaccines and support a faster response to outbreaks.

“This project means far more than a factory. It strengthens public health capacity, cuts reliance on imported vaccines, and enables faster local response to outbreaks,” he said.

If completed and operated successfully, the facility could create skilled jobs and contribute to the development of Zambia’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

However, the first phase’s fill-and-finish model would involve completing vaccine products from supplied materials. It should not be confused with producing every component of a vaccine entirely within Zambia.

For the investment to deliver its anticipated public health benefits, the facility will also need to meet stringent quality standards and establish reliable supplies, distribution arrangements and sustainable demand.

Ambassador Han placed the initiatives within the broader history of relations between Zambia and China, which established diplomatic ties shortly after Zambia gained independence in October 1964.

He recalled the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway as an example of cooperation that helped connect landlocked Zambia to regional and international markets.

The railway became an important part of the country’s transport and trade infrastructure, linking Zambia to the Tanzanian coast.

Today, the Ambassador said, the same spirit of cooperation was being carried forward through new agricultural exports, industrial investments and health-sector manufacturing.

“The soybeans crossing oceans, cocoons leaving Mpika, and vaccines to be produced in Lusaka all carry that same spirit forward,” he said.

China’s zero-tariff policy provides a potential opening, but Zambia must build the productive capacity needed to take advantage of it.

From the mulberry fields of Muchinga to the soybean farms of Serenje and the planned vaccine plant in Lusaka, the emerging story is one of possibility rather than a finished transformation.

The nine tonnes of silk cocoons and 120 tonnes of soybeans are early steps. The proposed vaccine facility represents a longer-term industrial ambition.

Together, they point towards a future in which Zambia’s economic relationship with China could encompass more than minerals — provided that market access and investment commitments translate into sustainable industries, competitive exports and tangible benefits for Zambian communities.

 

UNILUS GRADUATES 1,706 AS VICE CHANCELLOR SAYS DEGREE ALONE NO LONGER ENOUGH

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — The University of Lusaka (UNILUS) has graduated 1,706 students, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni challenging graduates to translate their academic qualifications into practical solutions that address industry needs, unemployment and national development.

Speaking during the university’s 20th Graduation Ceremony held on Saturday under the theme “Relevance – Building Education that Matters for Industry, Society, National Development and Internationally,” Prof. Chifwanakeni said the value of higher education should be measured by its practical application rather than the possession of a degree alone.

He said rapid technological advancement, artificial intelligence, climate change and changing labour market demands had made it necessary for universities to produce graduates equipped with practical skills, innovation and the ability to adapt.

“In a world defined by rapid technological change, Artificial Intelligence, climate change and shifting labour markets, a degree is no longer enough. Its true metric lies in its practical application,” Prof. Chifwanakeni said.

He said UNILUS had built its growth over 19 years around remaining relevant to industry, society and the future, evolving from a small university into an institution offering programmes across law, medicine and health sciences, technology and engineering, and business, alongside a teaching hospital.

According to Prof. Chifwanakeni, the university has integrated entrepreneurship, practical attachments and innovation into its programmes to prepare graduates not only to seek employment but also to create jobs.

“Our programmes are designed with and for industry. Our graduates are not expected to just seek jobs but also create them. This is why we have integrated entrepreneurship, practical attachment, and innovation across all programmes,” He said.

He added that higher education should contribute to addressing practical challenges affecting communities, including limited access to justice, inadequate access to quality healthcare, poverty and unemployment.

“Education must solve real problems — access to justice, access to quality healthcare, poverty and unemployment. Our graduates are trained to serve humanity first,” He said.

To strengthen the relevance of its qualifications, Prof. Chifwanakeni said all UNILUS programmes had been accredited by the Higher Education Authority and aligned with the Zambia Qualifications Framework.

He said the university had also reviewed curricula to incorporate artificial intelligence, digital literacy, entrepreneurship and work-based learning, while providing students with industrial attachments.

The institution has further engaged industry practitioners in teaching and signed memoranda of understanding with hospitals, law firms, financial institutions and non-governmental organisations to strengthen links between academic training and professional practice.

Prof. Chifwanakeni said these measures were intended to ensure that graduates entered the labour market with competencies responsive to the needs of employers and society.

He also highlighted the university’s contribution to the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda, saying its academic programmes supported skills development, industrialisation, small and medium-sized enterprise growth and job creation.

Other areas of contribution include health security and human capital development through the training of doctors and nurses, access to justice and good governance through legal education, and digital transformation through the integration of artificial intelligence and digital literacy into academic programmes.

Prof. Chifwanakeni said ethical conduct and accountability remained essential to sustainable national development.

“Growth without integrity collapses. We embed ethics, patriotism and accountability – ensuring Grow Zambia is sustainable,” He said.

Of the 1,706 graduands, 641 were from the School of Postgraduate Studies, making it the largest graduating cohort.

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences produced 401 graduates, followed by the School of Business, Economics and Management with 352, the School of Law with 191, and the School of Technology and Engineering with 121.

The figures reflect the range of academic disciplines represented at the ceremony, spanning professional training, business, technology and postgraduate education.

Addressing the graduands, Prof. Chifwanakeni urged them to uphold the university’s reputation through professionalism, integrity and the practical application of the knowledge and skills they had acquired.

“To our graduands: You are the evidence of our RELEVANCE. Go out and defend the UNILUS brand. Let your work ethic, integrity and skill show that UNILUS education is relevant, rigorous and respected,” He said.

He thanked parents and guardians for entrusting the university with the education of their children, and commended members of staff for their dedication to teaching and learning.

The graduands were subsequently presented to the Chancellor for the conferral of their respective degrees, marking the completion of their academic programmes and the beginning of their transition into professional practice and other fields of endeavour.

 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION RESOLVES 66 CASES, FLAGS PROLONGED DETENTION

 By Alain Kabinda

The Human Rights Commission has resolved 66 out of 100 alleged human rights violation cases reviewed during its third Commission Cases Review Meeting, while raising concerns over prolonged detention, delayed court proceedings and barriers to accessing police bond.

Commission Chairperson Dr Pamela Towela Sambo said the remaining 34 cases were still under active consideration, with the Commission continuing to pursue remedies and accountability through engagement with responsible institutions.

Speaking at a press briefing following the meeting held from October 27 to 28, 2026, at Sarovar Hotel, Dr Sambo said most of the cases concerned the right to secure protection of the law and the right to personal liberty.

Of the 100 cases reviewed, 47 related to protection of the law, while 36 concerned personal liberty. Eight involved the protection of children from abuse, while two each related to labour and employment rights, social security, and freedom from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment.

The remaining cases concerned social protection, access to information and education, with one case recorded in each category.

Dr Sambo said the 83 cases involving protection of the law and personal liberty highlighted continuing concerns surrounding arrest, detention and the administration of justice.

The Commission resolved the cases through mediation, engagement with relevant institutions, referrals for legal assistance and other interventions that secured corrective action and redress.

The review identified cases in which suspects were held for extended periods before appearing in court, raising questions about compliance with constitutional safeguards and criminal procedure requirements.

In one case, three people were detained at Shang’ombo Central Police for approximately one year and seven months before their first court appearance.

The three remained in custody for a further two months and eight days after a court ordered their release because the prosecution had failed to serve the order on the detention facility.

In another case, a person detained for approximately nine months on a murder charge was eventually released due to insufficient evidence.

Dr Sambo said such cases raised concerns about the protection of personal liberty and the obligation to ensure that arrested persons were brought before a court without undue delay.

The Commission cited Article 13(3) of the Constitution and Section 33(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code in highlighting the legal safeguards governing detention after arrest, release on bond and appearance before a competent court.

In one matter, a convicted person waited approximately four years for sentencing after being committed to the High Court, while judgment in a separate murder trial remained outstanding for more than seven years after the conclusion of the trial.

Dr Sambo said both matters had since been resolved following the Commission’s engagement with the Judiciary.

She warned that prolonged delays affected accused persons, victims and their families while undermining public confidence in the justice system.

The Commission said the delays raised concerns about Article 18(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees a fair hearing within a reasonable time before an independent and impartial court.

The Commission also expressed concern over barriers to accessing police bond, particularly conditions requiring suspects to provide two serving civil servants as sureties.

According to Dr Sambo, some suspects struggled to meet these requirements after being transferred away from their homes and losing contact with relatives who could assist them.

The Commission has further called on the Zambia Police Service to ensure that bond conditions were lawful, reasonable and proportionate to individual circumstances.

It said that where the law permitted bond, conditions should facilitate the exercise of rights and freedoms rather than unnecessarily restrict them.

The review further identified cases involving foreign nationals who had been detained for extended periods without appearing in court because interpreters were unavailable.

Dr Sambo said Article 18(2)(f) of the Constitution provided for free interpretation where an accused person could not understand the language used at trial.

She urged the Judiciary to make timely arrangements for interpretation services to ensure that language barriers did not obstruct access to justice.

The treatment of children in conflict with the law was another area of concern, with eight cases reportedly handled contrary to safeguards under the Children's Code Act No. 12 of 2022.

In Choma, a 14-year-old child was detained for 54 days on allegations of theft.

In Namwala, two 17-year-old children were held for 16 and 58 days, respectively.

The Commission said the children had been detained alongside adults without being brought before a court or granted police bond.

Dr Sambo also raised concern about cases in which children had allegedly been abandoned by their parents and the Department of Social Welfare.

She called on the Zambia Police Service, Department of Social Welfare, National Prosecution Authority and Judiciary to fully implement the Children's Code Act.

The Commission emphasised that detention should be used only as a last resort, children should be separated from adults, and diversion should be considered in accordance with the law.

In one case, a traditional leader reportedly detained a man at his palace for 20 days in connection with the conduct of his son, who was a person with a disability.

Dr Sambo said the matter raised serious concerns about respect for human dignity and called on traditional authorities to exercise their powers within the law.

The Commission further identified alleged administrative lapses involving the removal of beneficiaries from Social Cash Transfer lists.

It also noted continuing concerns over workers' rights, including delayed wage payments and failure to comply with prescribed minimum wages.

These findings, the Commission said, required sustained engagement with responsible institutions to prevent recurring violations and improve access to remedies.

Dr Sambo acknowledged the cooperation of the Judiciary, Department of Social Welfare and Office of the Labour Commissioner in responding to human rights concerns and facilitating corrective action.

However, she stressed that resolving individual cases was not enough without sustained measures to address recurring institutional weaknesses.

The Commission said it would continue pursuing remedies in outstanding cases while using findings from its reviews to guide monitoring, institutional engagement and public reporting.

It said its mandate to report on the observance of rights and freedoms was grounded in the Human Rights Commission Act No. 4 of 2024, the Constitution and the Access to Information Act.

The Commission has urged members of the public who experience or witness alleged human rights violations to report them through its toll-free line, 8181.

 AIRTEL LAUNCHES BUNDLE BONANZA WITH TOYOTA HILUX AS TOP PRIZE

 

By Alain Kabinda

Airtel Zambia has launched the Bundle Bonanza promotion, offering customers a chance to win a brand-new Toyota Hilux in January 2027 as the telecommunications company steps up efforts to increase the use of its MyAirtel App for bundle purchases.

The promotion combines daily prizes, including smartphones, routers, bicycles and shopping vouchers, with a grand prize draw designed to encourage customers to purchase qualifying data bundles directly through the application.

Beyond the giveaways, the campaign reflects Airtel’s strategy of promoting digital transactions by making the MyAirtel App a preferred channel for accessing its services.

Speaking at the launch, Airtel Zambia Chief Marketing Officer Pratyush Jyoti Ghosh urged customers to participate by purchasing qualifying bundles through the application.

                                                        Mr. Pratyush Jyoti Ghosh 

“Buy as much as you can to stand a chance to win,” Mr Ghosh said.

Under the promotion, customers earn entries into prize draws when they purchase eligible bundles, with the number of entries linked to the amount spent and the bundle’s validity period.

For instance, a K10 purchase of the 3GB daily bundle earns 10 entries valid for one day, while a K100 purchase of the 8GB monthly bundle earns 100 entries per day for 30 days.

Airtel says eligible purchases automatically generate entries, meaning customers do not need to pay a separate entry fee, enter promotional codes or complete additional forms.

However, participation is restricted to qualifying bundles purchased directly through the MyAirtel App using the customer’s own Airtel number.

Purchases made through USSD, retail outlets or the application’s “Buy for Other” option are excluded from the promotion.

The campaign is open to Airtel prepaid customers aged 18 and above, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

For Airtel, the promotion provides an opportunity to strengthen customer engagement while encouraging more subscribers to use its digital platform for routine transactions.

For customers, the campaign offers the prospect of winning prizes through purchases they may already make, although participation does not guarantee a reward.

The grand prize draw is scheduled for January 2027, with daily prizes providing additional incentives throughout the promotion.

As competition in the telecommunications sector increasingly extends to customer experience and digital service delivery, Airtel’s Bundle Bonanza places mobile-app adoption at the centre of its latest customer engagement drive.

 WASH FORUM SEEKS 2.8% OF 2027 BUDGET FOR WATER AND SANITATION

(Picture By ZANIS)

By Alain Kabinda 

LUSAKA – Access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and basic hygiene remains a challenge for millions of Zambians, prompting the NGO WASH Forum to call on Government to increase funding to the sector in the 2027 National Budget.

With the national budget scheduled for presentation on October 30, the Forum wants at least 2.8 per cent of the national budget allocated to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), warning that declining financial commitments are slowing progress towards universal access to essential services.

For communities without reliable drinking water, households lacking proper sanitation and families unable to access basic handwashing facilities, the funding debate goes beyond government expenditure. It concerns public health, human dignity, environmental protection and the country's ability to build climate-resilient communities.

NGO WASH Forum National Coordinator Bubala Muyovwe Mumba said water and sanitation should be recognised as an investment in Zambia's economic development rather than merely a social-sector cost.

The Forum argues that increased funding would support the Government's Grow Zambia Agenda by improving living conditions, protecting public health and strengthening the foundations for sustainable economic growth.

The Forum says the proportion of the national budget allocated to WASH has declined from 1.81 per cent in 2021 to 1.06 per cent in 2026.

It warns that this downward trend threatens the implementation of programmes intended to expand access to safe water, sanitation infrastructure and hygiene facilities.

According to figures cited by the organisation, approximately 27 per cent of households lack basic drinking water services, while 63 per cent lack basic sanitation and 82 per cent do not have basic hygiene facilities equipped with soap and water.

Safe drinking water is fundamental to preventing waterborne diseases, while adequate sanitation helps protect communities from environmental contamination. Access to handwashing facilities, soap and water is also important in reducing the transmission of infectious diseases.

Delayed or inadequate releases can affect the implementation of infrastructure projects, procurement of materials, rehabilitation works and the delivery of services to communities.

Even where funding has been provided for in the national budget, the pace at which resources reach implementing institutions can determine whether planned activities are completed on schedule.

The Forum is therefore calling for timely disbursement of allocated funds, alongside stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure that public resources deliver measurable improvements.

The concern is that insufficient funding, combined with delayed releases, could further slow progress in communities already experiencing inadequate access to water and sanitation.

While seeking an immediate increase in the 2027 National Budget, the NGO WASH Forum wants Government to adopt a longer-term financing plan that raises the sector's share to five per cent of the national budget by 2029.

She also urging the Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, recognising that expanding access requires both new investments and the maintenance of facilities already in place.

The WASH funding debate also has implications for Zambia's ability to respond to climate variability and protect its water resources.

Protecting water sources, maintaining distribution systems and investing in appropriate sanitation facilities can help communities manage these challenges.

The Forum's call for increased investment therefore extends beyond expanding the number of households connected to water systems. It also concerns ensuring that infrastructure remains functional and services can be sustained over time.

However, increased allocations alone will not guarantee better outcomes. Effective planning, timely fund releases, transparent procurement, infrastructure maintenance and monitoring will remain important in ensuring that resources translate into actual services.

As Zambia prepares its 2027 National Budget, the NGO WASH Forum wants the Government to demonstrate that access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is a development priority.

Its proposed allocation of at least 2.8 per cent in 2027, rising to five per cent by 2029, is intended to reverse the decline in the sector's budget share and provide a more predictable financing pathway.

The challenge for policymakers will be to balance competing national priorities while ensuring that essential services receive sufficient resources and that allocated funds are released and used effectively.

The Forum's central argument is that economic growth must be accompanied by improvements in the services that sustain everyday life.

As the budget presentation approaches, the question is whether the 2027 financial plan will provide the resources needed to accelerate progress towards safe water, adequate sanitation and basic hygiene for all Zambians.

Ultimately, the success of WASH financing will be measured not only by the percentage allocated in the national budget, but by whether more households gain reliable access to the essential services they need to live healthy and dignified lives.

 ZCTU SEEKS K10,000 TAX-FREE THRESHOLD AS WORKERS STRUGGLE WITH COST OF LIVING

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA – As the cost of living continues to put pressure on household budgets, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is calling for tax reforms that would leave workers with more money to meet their basic needs.

At the centre of the union's demands is a proposal to increase the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax-free threshold from K5,100 to K10,000 a month, alongside changes to the education system aimed at equipping graduates with skills that match the demands of the labour market.

ZCTU president Blake Mulala says workers should benefit more directly from the country's economic reforms, including progress in debt restructuring, through tax relief, improved public service allowances and better employment opportunities.

He believes the proposed creation of a standalone ministry responsible for skills development, colleges and universities could also help address the mismatch between qualifications and available jobs.

Further the Union urges Government to balance domestic revenue mobilisation with measures that protect low-income earners from the rising cost of living.

For the ZCTU, the current PAYE threshold does not adequately reflect the financial pressures facing workers, particularly those whose monthly earnings are barely sufficient to cover food, housing, transport and other essentials.

Mr Mulala said the union had consistently advocated for changes to the tax regime, with the proposed increase to K10,000 intended to bring the tax-free threshold closer to the monthly basic needs basket.

“We have been advocating for a change in the tax regime. We proposed or we expect to see that the PAYE must have an increase in the minimum threshold from the current 5,100 to 10,000 and this is to align it with a monthly basic needs basket,” he said.

Mr Mulala illustrated the pressure by referring to a worker earning K9,200 per month, arguing that deductions leave the employee with income below the estimated basic needs basket of about K10,000.

He said the existing tax arrangements place a disproportionate burden on low-income earners and called for adjustments to the tax bands to increase disposable income.

Under the proposed structure, the ZCTU wants monthly earnings of up to K11,000 to be tax-free, with income between K11,100 and K14,000 taxed at 15 percent and earnings between K14,000 and K18,000 taxed at 20 percent.

The ZCTU has also linked its demand for tax relief to Zambia's debt restructuring efforts, arguing that workers should experience tangible benefits from improvements in the country's economic position.

Mr Mulala said workers had endured considerable financial pressure and deserved to benefit from the progress made in addressing the country's debt challenges.

“Why do we make this expectation? To share what we achieved in debt restructuring, we expect that workers also should significantly receive a tax relief from that successful story,” he said.

The union's position is that economic reforms should not be measured solely by improvements in public finances, but also by whether ordinary citizens experience better living conditions.

Mr Mulala further called for increased resources towards public service allowances, saying current allowances were inadequate to help many workers meet their basic needs.

He said the situation required attention because a significant number of public service workers continued to earn below the monthly basic needs basket measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.

Also  ZCTU has welcomed Government's proposed realignment of ministries to establish a standalone ministry responsible for skills development, colleges and universities.

Mr Mulala said the union had long advocated for skills development to receive greater institutional focus rather than being grouped within a broad ministry.

“For too long we have been calling for skills development and I think when you have skills development you cannot group all these into just one ministry,” he said.

He argued that bringing universities, colleges and skills development under one institutional framework could improve coordination between education and the world of work.

According to Mr Mulala, some people struggle to find employment not necessarily because they lack qualifications, but because their training does not match the skills required by employers.

“From skills development when we go to the job market, where people fail to get jobs, not that they are not required, not that they don't have skills, but there has been skills mismatch,” he said.

Mr Mulala said the realignment should also promote accountability and effective leadership, insisting that competent individuals must be appointed to manage the institutions.

ZCTU has commended Government's efforts to increase domestic resource mobilisation and reduce reliance on external financing.

Mr Mulala praised the Minister of Finance for the increased emphasis on locally generated resources to finance the national budget.

“We congratulate the Minister of Finance because there has been a shift. Most of the budget was actually locally funded, domestic resources unlike in the past where most of the budget was funded by external partners. This is a good move,” he said.

However, he argued that Government could not continue placing the burden of taxation primarily on the relatively small formal working population in a country of more than 21 million people.

He called for measures to broaden the tax base and strengthen revenue collection, allowing the country to mobilise more resources without placing excessive pressure on salaried workers.

“Government must maintain sufficient revenue to finance public services and development while considering tax changes that could reduce collections from personal income taxes,” He said.

The ZCTU has also welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema's pronouncement on the digitalisation of Government services and ministries, saying technology could improve efficiency and strengthen public accountability.

Mr Mulala said digitising government processes could help increase revenue collection and reduce opportunities for corruption associated with manual systems.

“We want to also commend the Head of State on the pronouncement of digitalisation of Government services and ministries. That's what we lacked. It will help to increase revenue collection and eradicate corruption which has been going on when people were relying on manual processes,” he said.

The ZCTU's proposals highlight the connection between taxation, education, employment and household welfare.

A higher tax-free threshold could leave eligible workers with more disposable income, while better coordination between training institutions and employers could improve the prospects of graduates entering the labour market.

Mr Mulala said the measures advocated by the union should ultimately improve workers' living standards and help them withstand internal and external economic shocks.

For Zambia's workers, the debate goes beyond tax percentages and ministry structures. It concerns whether salaries can meet basic needs, whether education leads to meaningful employment and whether economic reforms translate into a better quality of life.