ZCCM-IH Pays K183 Million Dividend to Shareholders 

By Alain Kabinda 

ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc (ZCCM-IH) has distributed approximately K183 million in dividends to shareholders for the 2025 financial year, continuing a run of 11 consecutive years of dividend payments. 

Shareholders approved a final dividend of K1.13 per share at the company’s Annual General Meeting on September 11. At the presenting the Dividend Cheques at ZCCM-IH in Lusaka, ZCCM-IH Board Chairperson Mr. Phesto Musonda said K110 million will go to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), K32.2 million to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, and K27 million to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA). About K14 million is to be shared among approximately 5,000 other shareholders in Zambia, London and Paris.

 Mr. Musonda also said that ZCCM-IH had returned approximately K2.4 billion to shareholders since 2015. Although this year’s dividend is smaller than last year’s record payment, the company’s investment income—the key measure of its performance—rose by 40% in 2025. 

He attributed the lower dividend to a full provision for a legacy legal matter and the stronger kwacha, which reduced the local-currency value of the company’s dollar-earning assets. He added that the dividend was funded by cash generated from investments, not by borrowing or selling assets. 

He also pointed to income from the Kansanshi royalty, maiden dividends from Maamba Energy and a strong payment from Copperbelt Energy Corporation. In April, ZCCM-IH repaid US$150 million to Glencore, settling its legacy debt, and its market valuation passed US$1 billion. 

And Ministry of Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary Economic Management and Investments Mr. Mulele Mulele  representing the Minister of Finance Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane,  receiving the Ministry’s dividend congratulated the company’s board, management and staff. He said the payment would contribute to government revenue used to support development priorities such as education, health and infrastructure. 

Mr. Mulele also urged ZCCM-IH to maintain commercial discipline and sound governance, while growing its investment portfolio and supporting mineral value addition, local participation and job creation. 

Mr. Mulele added that the dividend payment is a positive demonstration of the importance of prudent investment management, sound corporate governance and accountability in ensuring that Government investments generate tangible financial returns for the benefit of the Zambian people. 

He said that the Ministry recognizes the efforts undertaken to strengthen the company’s investment portfolio, improve financial performance and advance its strategic objectives. These efforts are important in building a resilient and commercially sustainable institution capable of delivering consistent returns over the long term. 

However, while dividend payments are an important measure of performance, Government expects ZCCM-IH to continue focusing on the overall growth, quality and profitability of its investment portfolio. The company’s success must also be reflected in sustainable asset growth, improved operational performance and a stronger contribution to the national economy. 

Mr. Mulele urged ZCCM-IH to remain an important investment vehicle in Zambia’s mining and energy sectors, with significant potential to contribute to economic growth, employment creation, foreign exchange generation and domestic revenue mobilisation.

And the company need to continue pursuing commercially viable investment opportunities, strengthening its portfolio performance and promoting value addition within the mining sector. 

Ministry congratulated ZCCM-IH for its achievement and encourages the Board and Management to build on this progress by strengthening corporate governance, improving financial performance and ensuring sustainable returns to shareholders. 

The dividend payment of K31,181,987 is a welcome contribution to Government revenue and an important reminder of the value of effective management of public investments. 

“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that Government investments are managed prudently, commercially sustainably and in a manner that contributes meaningfully to Zambia’s economic transformation and national development,” Mr. Mulele said. 

Looking ahead, the chairperson said the company plans to expand its role in mining and energy investment, help formalise small-scale gold mining and develop exploration licences into producing mines. 

 Soteria Health and Wellness Centre Joins Zambia in Marking World Mental Health Day 2026 

 By Daily news Reporter

KAMPATA, Zambia — Soteria Health and Wellness Centre joined the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the global community in commemorating World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026, at Kampata Market Grounds. 

This year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” called for people who have experienced mental health challenges to have a greater role in shaping mental health policy and care. 

The event brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society partners and community members. The Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Roma Chilengi, MP, was represented by Dr George Sinyangwe, Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination at the Ministry of Health. 

In his address, the Minister stressed the need to shift mental health care from isolated institutions into communities and called for people with lived experience to participate in improving services. The donor community also reaffirmed its support for Zambia’s mental health reforms and community-based care initiatives. 

And for Soteria the theme reflected its commitment to ensuring that lived experience informs how mental health services are designed and delivered. The centre described its approach as rooted in compassion, dignity and the recognition that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being. 

Soteria provides individual psychotherapy and counselling, addiction and substance-use treatment, family and couples therapy, and group support. Its services also include corporate wellness programmes, community outreach and training, and online counselling for clients across Zambia and beyond. 

The centre offers support for concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, stress, relationships and substance use, alongside community mental health awareness and psychological first-aid training.

 CFAO Mobility Launches 9th Generation Toyota Hilux in Zambia

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA – CFAO Mobility Zambia has launched the 2026 ninth-generation Toyota Hilux, positioning the latest pickup as a key mobility solution for Zambia's mining, agriculture, construction and small and medium-sized enterprise sectors.

The launch, held in Lusaka, was officiated by Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick K. Kangwa, who said reliable and efficient transport was critical to Zambia's economic growth and logistics networks.

Mr. Kangwa said the new Hilux's combination of durability, technology, safety and improved performance aligns with Government's efforts to promote safer roads and more efficient movement of people and goods.

“My primary focus is the safe, efficient and sustainable movement of people and goods. This is the lifeblood of our economy,”Mr.Kangwa said.

He said the latest Hilux represents an evolution of a vehicle that has become widely used across Zambia's productive sectors.

Since its introduction in 1968, the Hilux has developed a reputation for operating in demanding environments, including mining areas, farms, construction sites and remote communities.

The ninth-generation Hilux retains Toyota's Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle (IMV) platform, while incorporating powertrain improvements, enhanced performance and increased towing capability.

The new model features a redesigned exterior with prominent Toyota lettering and LED headlamps, while the interior has been upgraded with technology aimed at improving driver convenience and comfort.

Among the features is a 12.3-inch display screen, enhanced connectivity and advanced safety technologies.

The vehicle also incorporates Electric Power Steering and advanced terrain-management systems designed to improve its performance in different driving conditions.

Mr. Kangwa said the Hilux's continued development was particularly relevant to sectors that depend heavily on reliable vehicles to maintain productivity.

“The Hilux has long been the vehicle of choice for our agricultural, commercial sector, construction industry and small and medium enterprises,” he said.

He added that access to reliable transport solutions could help businesses improve productivity and reduce operating costs.

For CFAO Mobility Zambia, the launch comes four years after the company's transformative merger, which created an integrated mobility business serving multiple segments of the Zambian economy.

The company operates a portfolio that includes Toyota, Hino, Top Gear Zambia, LOXEA Lease Zambia and Toyota Material Handling and Equipment.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mr. Peter Blomefield  said its customer base includes individuals, SMEs, mining companies, agricultural businesses, government institutions and entrepreneurs.

Mr. Blomefield said its business model goes beyond vehicle sales by providing customers with after-sales services, technical support and access to genuine spare parts.

“At CFAO Mobility Zambia, we undedinorstand that our customers depend on their vehicles to generate income, support livelihoods and drive economic growth,” Mr.Blomefield said.

The company highlighted its nationwide network, factory-trained technicians, genuine parts and authorised service centres as part of its strategy to reduce vehicle downtime for customers.

CFAO Mobility Zambia's Managing Director Mr. Dino Bianch said the company was also creating opportunities for Zambian businesses to participate in the Toyota ecosystem through authorised service centres and related operations.

He said the company's activities contribute to job creation, skills development, tax revenues and the movement of goods and services.

The company said financing and leasing solutions would also form part of its support for customers seeking to acquire mobility and equipment solutions.

The launch comes as businesses across Zambia continue to rely on reliable transport for operations in sectors ranging from mining and agriculture to construction and distribution.

Mr. Bianch said the new Hilux has been developed to combine the durability associated with the model with greater comfort, technology and safety.

The company described the latest model as “more comfortable, more capable and more advanced”, while retaining the characteristics that have made the Hilux popular among commercial users.

He further said it would continue investing in customer service, technical expertise, parts availability and mobility solutions as it supports businesses and communities across the country.

The company also thanked Government for what it described as an enabling business environment and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Zambia's economic development through mobility solutions.

 

Zambia urged to build resilient education system as crises threaten learning

By Daily News Reporter

UNZA researchers say sustained investment, stronger implementation and cooperation across sectors are needed to protect learners from current and future disruptions. 

When schools are disrupted, the effects extend well beyond closed classrooms. Learners can lose access to lessons and essential services, teachers and education managers face added pressure, and inequalities can widen—especially for children already at risk of being left behind. 

Building resilience therefore requires more than responding once a crisis strikes, University of Zambia (UNZA) Acting Dean of the School of Education Robson Mambwe said. Education systems must be strengthened continuously so they can anticipate, prepare for and adapt to shocks while keeping learning accessible and inclusive. 

“Resilience should be understood as a continuous process of strengthening education systems through effective implementation, adaptive governance and sustained investment,” Mambwe said at a dissemination programme presenting findings from the Africa Regional Education System Resilience Observation Project (ARESRO) formative assessment in Zambia. He spoke on behalf of the school’s substantive dean, Dr. Liberty Mwamba. 

The findings point to a broad range of pressures on education in Zambia and across the region. These include climate-related hazards such as floods and droughts, disease outbreaks, economic pressures, population changes, technology gaps and challenges with infrastructure and learning conditions. Conflict and insecurity also affect neighbouring countries, making support for displaced and refugee learners a regional concern. 

In Zambia, researchers and participants highlighted overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure and teacher shortages alongside barriers to access, including long distances to school and early marriage. Public health emergencies can also interrupt teaching and the provision of essential services. Recent experience with COVID-19, as well as cholera outbreaks, has underscored the need to sustain learning during disruption—not simply restore it afterwards. 

The assessment’s Principal Investigator, Professor Beatrice Matafwali of the University of Zambia, said the study examined how well the country’s education system can withstand and recover from ongoing stresses and sudden shocks. 

Among the pressures identified were climate and environmental hazards, public-health emergencies, economic strain, demographic change, technology gaps and disruptions to infrastructure, learning conditions and essential services. Prof Matafwali also urged Zambia to consider the education needs of people displaced by conflict and insecurity in neighbouring countries, noting that the country hosts learners from communities affected by those crises. 

These pressures can restrict access to education, disrupt learning and weaken the resources available to keep schools operating. Limited access to technology, for example, can hinder both learning continuity and the development of learners’ skills. 

Matafwali said the study identified gaps in shared frameworks for defining and assessing education-system resilience, in evidence to guide planning, and in foresight about future risks. The COVID-19 pandemic showed how long learning could be interrupted, she said, raising questions about whether measures introduced at the time can be sustained or adapted if another crisis occurs. Cholera outbreaks also highlight the need for plans that protect learning while responding to public-health threats. 

Presenting regional findings, University of Zambia Co-Investigator Dr. Nelly Mwale said education-system resilience is understood in different ways across countries and is shaped by local conditions. Despite those differences, the review found a shared emphasis on maintaining learning during crises. Countries have pursued measures such as digital and blended learning, health and nutrition programmes, and efforts to strengthen preparedness and response. 

However, structural constraints—including infrastructure gaps, financing challenges and governance weaknesses—continue to affect how effectively resilience measures are put into practice. She said a whole-sector approach is needed, bringing together education and other ministries, communities, learners and other stakeholders. 

The Zambia assessment also found that the meaning of resilience is not always shared or clearly defined. Researchers identified gaps in frameworks for assessing resilience, evidence to guide planning and foresight into future risks. They said lessons from responses to COVID-19 should inform preparations for future emergencies, including how to maintain learning if schools or essential services are disrupted again. 

And meanwhile Professor Ecloss Munsaka, who presented findings from the formative assessment, said resilience was generally understood by participants as the ability of an education system to withstand shocks and adapt to change. But he cautioned that pressures can be both sudden and long-standing: a flood may strike abruptly, while overcrowding, inadequate staffing and weak infrastructure build over time. 

Young children—particularly those in early childhood education and Grade 1—and learners from low-income households were identified as especially vulnerable. Girls also face risks linked to poverty, long journeys to school and early marriage. School feeding and health services can help learners attend and remain in school, but the researchers said these programmes need reliable support. 

Participants also pointed to the importance of technology, teacher training, stronger infrastructure and effective support for learners returning to school. Policies such as the school re-entry policy need to translate into practical assistance, they said, so that girls who return are able to stay and complete their education. 

Looking ahead, the assessment identified climate change, continued overcrowding, limited funding, disease outbreaks, drug and substance abuse, teacher recruitment constraints and weak policy implementation among the challenges likely to persist or intensify. Changes in political leadership can also affect continuity if successful programmes are not carried forward. 

The researchers recommended expanding safe, inclusive and climate-responsive learning spaces; strengthening teacher recruitment and professional development; sustaining health and nutrition programmes; and improving support for vulnerable learners. They also called for stronger coordination across government departments and more reliable financing for preparedness and response. 

For Mambwe, the central test is whether the system can protect every learner when disruption occurs. Achieving that will require education to work alongside health, infrastructure, governance and finance—and to make resilience part of everyday planning, rather than an emergency measure brought in only after a crisis begins.

 MTN MoMo Rewards Customers With K5 Million, Hands Over House to Grand Prize Winner

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA – MTN Mobile Money Limited (MTN MoMo) has completed its Wina Nyumba na MoMo promotion after rewarding more than 4,000 customers across Zambia with over K5 million in cash prizes and handing over a three-bedroom house to the grand prize winner.

The promotion forms part of MTN MoMo's strategy to strengthen customer engagement while encouraging the use of digital financial services for everyday transactions.

The grand prize went to Mr. Meak Siame, a 32-year-old primary school teacher from Chipili in Luapula Province, whose regular use of MTN MoMo transactions qualified him for the promotion.

Mr. Siame, an MTN customer since 2010, uses MoMo to manage his finances, including depositing his salary and paying bills.

He said he was unaware that his routine transactions had entered him into the promotion.

The house is expected to provide greater financial security for Siame and his family, while he plans to establish a business to create an additional source of income alongside his teaching, farming and poultry activities.

 said the campaign rewarded 1,001 customers every month, resulting in more than 4,000 winners during the promotion.

Four customers also received K100,000 each:

Charity Siandala of Choma;

Morice Makumba of Mumbwa;

Elijah Mwape of Katete; and

Sarah Munakapongo of Luanshya.

The cash and house prizes were linked to qualifying MTN MoMo transactions, giving customers an incentive to use the platform for regular financial activities.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, MTN Mobile Money Limited Chief Executive Officer Mr. Komba Malukutila said the campaign was designed to reward customer loyalty and demonstrate the company's commitment to creating value through its mobile-money platform.

“Wina Nyumba na MoMo was an opportunity for us to celebrate and reward our customers for their continued trust and loyalty,” Mr. Malukutila said.

He said MTN MoMo would continue developing accessible and innovative financial services that respond to customers' everyday needs.

The house project also brought together several companies whose contributions supported the construction and completion of the property.

Chilanga Cement contributed 200 bags of cement and Newta Tile Fix, while Micmar provided K100,000 to the grand prize winner and partnered with Plascon to supply paint.

Sandy's Creation undertook landscaping works, while Trade Brands provided a water pump for the borehole and a backup power system.

The partnerships demonstrate how customer-focused campaigns can also create opportunities for collaboration between companies across different sectors.

The promotion comes as mobile-money services continue to play an important role in Zambia's digital financial ecosystem.

For consumers, platforms such as MoMo provide convenient channels for receiving income, paying bills and transferring money, while for telecommunications companies they create opportunities to deepen customer engagement beyond traditional voice and data services.

Mr. Malukutila said Siame's experience illustrates how customers can derive additional value from using MoMo for routine financial transactions.

The company has also extended its customer-engagement strategy through “Lusaka is Laka with MTN,” an initiative focused on experiences, offers and rewards for customers in Lusaka.

For Siame, the promotion has resulted in a tangible asset that could strengthen his family's financial position and provide a platform for future business activity.

For MTN MoMo, the campaign reinforces the commercial value of combining digital financial services with customer rewards as the company seeks to deepen mobile-money usage across Zambia.

 

 The Disappearing Forests of Equatorial Guinea

By Our Reporter

Just like other countries in most countries of the Rain Forest belt along the coastal belt of Africa, Equatorial Guinea, a country in Central Africa is also feeling the impact of deforestation with its devastating consequences on its ecosystem.

For years, the forest has been a source of life for generations. The water that supplies many communities, the fertility of the soil, biodiversity and the livelihood of thousands of families depend on it. However, what for a long time seemed an inexhaustible resource is beginning to show signs of exhaustion.

Both on the island of Bioko and on the mainland, people are watching trees disappear, heat rising, and rivers losing flow.

Although the country remains one of the territories with the highest forest cover in Central Africa, this natural wealth is facing increasing pressure.

The government of Equatorial Guinea cannot be absolved from activities that have largely contributed to the demise of the forests. A recent report by the African Center for Strategic Studies noted that Illegal logging has been responsible for the transport and export of rare hardwoods. It revealed that some of the country’s forests have been sold to private companies while a shell company linked to the ministry of agriculture has been used to charge fees for processing, loading, and transporting timber.

According to data from the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), between 2016 and 2022 Equatorial Guinea lost 62,117 hectares of forest, while a further 42,244 hectares were degraded. It is also estimated that around 8,700 hectares of forest mass disappear each year, mainly as a result of agricultural expansion, logging, urban growth and infrastructure development.

This reality is reflected in a field visit to Malabo, Bata and nearby communities. The engagement rcaptured the perception of those who live daily with a landscape that is changing at an ever-increasing rate and reveals that deforestation is no longer a future threat, but a phenomenon whose effects are beginning to be felt in the daily lives of the population.

Although Malabo and Bata have different dynamics of urban growth and economic development, there is a common concern: the progressive loss of forests.

In the island region, people from Basakato del Oeste, Basupu Poblado and Baloeri/Cristo Rey say that there is less vegetation today than a few years ago. Most of them believe that the reduction is very evident, while none of the participants reported having observed an increase in forest cover in the last five years.

In the continental region of Bata and neighboring towns there is similar perception as the locals identify commercial logging as the main cause of deforestation, followed by urban sprawl and, to a lesser extent, agricultural activities.

Although the data come from different geographical contexts, they agree on the same message: forest cover is decreasing and its effects are beginning to be felt in people's daily lives.

 

The heat is no longer the same

Beyond the statistics, the inhabitants describe changes that they experience every day.

In Bioko communities, the increase in temperature appears as the most obvious consequence of the loss of trees. Most of the locals believe that the heat has intensified significantly compared to previous years.

When I was a child, the trees protected us from the sun, and the river never stopped flowing. Now the heat is much more intense, and during the dry season we have to walk farther to find water. Every year, we watch a little more of the forest that sustained our lives disappear," says Tobileri Esuba a woman living in a rural community in Bioko, reflecting a sentiment shared by many of the people interviewed during the study.

Where vegetation used to provide shade and help maintain a cooler environment, today spaces more exposed to the sun and higher temperatures predominate.

The concern does not end there. Almost half of the participants say that rivers and streams that previously supplied the communities have significantly reduced their flow or even dry up during certain times of the year. For many rural families, this makes it difficult to access water for domestic consumption, agriculture and other daily activities.

In Bata, the perception of community sources coincides with this diagnosis. Most of them consider the loss of biodiversity to be the main impact of deforestation, while a significant number identify climate change as the most worrying consequence. Only a small portion of respondents point to soil erosion as the main observed effect.

The causes vary according to the territory, but the result is the same

On the origin of the problem, in Bioko communities, agricultural expansion was identified as the main cause of forest loss, followed by government-driven infrastructure projects, commercial timber harvesting, and the use of firewood and charcoal as a domestic energy source. Many families continue to rely on these resources due to the lack of affordable energy alternatives.

In the continental region, most locals consider commercial logging to be the main driver of deforestation. Urban expansion and the growth of agricultural activities are also identified as contributing to the progressive reduction of forest cover.

We do not cut down trees because we want to destroy the forest. Many families do it because they need land to grow crops, cook their meals, or build their homes. But we also know that if we continue losing the forest, our children and future generations will face a much more difficult future," says Nguema Eyegue, a farmer from a rural community in Bata.

Although priorities vary from region to region, the study shows that pressure on forests comes from multiple human activities that, together, accelerate the degradation of ecosystems.

Biodiversity is also disappearing

The loss of trees does not only modify the landscape. The inhabitants say that it is increasingly difficult to find certain species of fauna and flora that for decades were part of the natural environment.

At Bioko, half of the people consulted regret the progressive disappearance of wild animals and plants traditionally used for food and natural medicine. This change affects both the ecological balance and the traditional knowledge passed down between generations.

In Bata, the loss of biodiversity also appears as the main environmental impact identified by the locals.

“ We used to find medicinal plants very close to our homes. My grandmother taught my sisters and me which ones were used to treat fever, stomach aches, digestive problems, and other illnesses. Now we have to walk much farther to find them, and some of them have almost disappeared, says Bönay Bokobo a woman from a rural community in Bioko.

 

Who should protect forests?

One of the questions posed during the research sought to know who should take the lead in the protection of forest resources.

The answers show a shared responsibility. Among mainland participants, the government and people received the same level of support as the primary responsibility for protecting forests, while a smaller percentage attributed this role to corporations.

Citizens are willing to actively participate in the conservation of forest heritage if they have adequate information, tools and programs to do so. Deforestation is no longer just an environmental concern. Its effects are beginning to have a direct impact on the quality of life of the communities, altering the local climate, reducing water sources and putting at risk the biodiversity that characterizes Equatorial Guinea.

Faced with this scenario, there is need for the strengthening of environmental education, bringing forestry legislation closer to the population through awareness campaigns, promoting alternatives to the use of firewood and charcoal and developing permanent reforestation programs with the joint participation of public institutions, companies and local communities.

The situation in Malabo and Bata reflects a shared reality: although the causes may vary from one territory to another, the loss of forests is transforming the environment and the lives of those who depend on it. For many of the locals, protecting forest resources is no longer only a matter of environmental conservation, but a necessity to guarantee the well-being of present and future generations.

 Pick n Pay Zambia and Madison Group Launch Joint Wine and Food Festival

 By Alain kabinda

LUSAKA, Zambia — Pick n Pay Zambia and Madison Group are expanding their brands beyond traditional retail and financial services through the launch of the Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival, Powered by Madison. 

The inaugural festival is scheduled for Saturday, 17 October 2026, at Polo Field A at the Lusaka Showgrounds. The event was announced in Lusaka on 28 September. 

Modelled on South Africa’s established Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival, the Zambian edition will combine food, wine, entertainment, hospitality and brand activations. Pick n Pay Zambia General Manager Jannie Potgieter said that this initiative reflects the growing importance of experiential marketing and the country’s expanding appetite for curated lifestyle events. 

He said Pick n Pay Zambia will oversee retail, customer experience and marketing, while bringing together suppliers, producers and commercial partners across its wider business ecosystem. 

And Madison Group Chief Marketing Manager Ms Kalumba Musonda said that initiative will comprises Madison Life, Madison General, Madison Finance Company and Madison Asset Management, will serve as the strategic partner in the festival’s development and delivery under the “Powered by Madison” positioning. 

Ms Musonda added that the festival will provide an opportunity to engage consumers in an informal setting on life insurance and long-term financial planning. The partnership represents a move by the financial services group to build connections with customers and communities beyond conventional financial products. 

“ For Madison, the partnership extends its engagement beyond traditional financial services into a lifestyle platform that brings together customers, communities and corporate partners,” Ms Musonda said. 

The festival will feature a Wine Pairing Master Class with international sommelier Colyn Truter. Three sessions are planned. A Mixology Theatre, supported by global spirits company Diageo, will also offer three sessions focused on cocktails and beverage education. 

She further said this interactive experiences are intended to provide value beyond food and beverage sales while creating opportunities for local businesses, suppliers and producers to participate. 

The event is also expected to generate revenue through exhibitor fees, sponsorships and supplier activations, giving both companies an additional commercial platform outside their core operations. 

The partnership highlights a broader trend among Zambian companies seeking direct-to-consumer engagement through lifestyle and entertainment platforms. Pick n Pay contributes its retail footprint, supplier relationships and customer reach, while Madison brings financial-sector expertise and brand investment. 

Ms Kalumba also said that future editions could feature more exhibitors, experiences and corporate partnerships, depending on the commercial performance of the inaugural event. 

If successful, the festival could develop into a recurring lifestyle platform and contribute to Lusaka’s growing reputation as a destination for large-scale food, beverage and cultural events