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

 A Looming Public Health Epidemic in Bata and Malabo

By Our Reporter

Throughout history, humanity has faced numerous diseases such as cholera, malaria, typhoid and diarrhea. These pathologies are mostly related to insufficient management of the environment and, in particular, to the absence of adequate environmental sanitation systems.

Sanitation is a fundamental pillar to guarantee a healthy, dignified and comfortable life. However, millions of people live daily with contaminated environments where critical stages of the sanitation chain – such as access to toilets, treatment, disposal and safe reuse of waste – are non-existent or unreachable.

Recognizing this problem, in 2010, the United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council declared the right to safe drinking water and sanitation as an essential human right for the full enjoyment of life (United Nations, 2010). This breakthrough provides a crucial tool to influence government decision-making and combat the global water crisis (UNICEF and WHO, 2020).

The rapid economic development of the past two decades In Equatorial Guinea, has led to the transformation of many communities including the now densely populated cities of Bata and Malabo. However, the growth in these regions have outstripped the capacity of existing infrastructure, creating a critical gap in the sanitation sector. Urbanisation in the two cities do not align with SDG 6 which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Sanitation is not only a civil work, but the basis for guaranteeing public health, protecting the environment and improving the quality of life of citizens.

Current situation

In the Semu neighborhood of Malabo, behind the Semu Market, is located the town of Eboho Ndang, an area that connects the Semu and Ñumbili neighborhoods. Previously, this area was swampy and inhospitable, but the arrival of the oil bonanza since 1995 accelerated urban growth, with populations moving to areas with greater economic activity, such as Malabo.

Eboho Ndang, inhabited mainly by low-income families, is at the lowest level of the market, becoming the recipient of waste and waste in the area. Residents suffer from the effects of sewage on a daily basis, especially during rainy seasons when the area is flooded with waste-laden water. This leads to persistent bad odors and frequent skin diseases. Despite multiple complaints and evaluations by authorities, no definitive solution has been found, and many residents have resigned themselves to living with these conditions.

An independent study of Bata conducted in May 2026 indicates that 95% of residents have wastewater near their homes, and 50% have suffered from related diseases, mainly diarrhea and skin conditions. The worst-affected neighbourhoods – Nkolonbong, Bikuy and Mbangang – have limited or no drainage infrastructure.

Despite improvements in the supply of drinking water and plans to channel rivers, poor wastewater management and heavy rainfall cause a deficient system to overflow, contributing to pockets of pollution and disease. The lack of maintenance further aggravates the situation, with frequent flooding during the rainy season. 

Testimonies from the locals

Edjang, one of the locals said, "I have lived here since 2002. Before, people used to bathe in this river, although they never drank its water. Today the situation is very different: the river is polluted by the garbage that is thrown from the upper part, and in the rainy season all that dirt comes down to here.

My parents taught us to respect rivers: not to throw garbage, urinate, or defecate in them. That's why, when I built my house, I decided not to connect the cesspool directly to the river, but to do it somewhere else. It hurts me to see how some neighbors do dump their waste into the water. In addition, from tradition, we were always told that spirits live in rivers, and that is why they deserve respect.

Today the Cámara River is dead: you can no longer wash clothes, bathe or fish. The only thing I can say is that cleanliness is essential. My children and I try to clean up the edges of our land, but these efforts become futile as long as trash continues to arrive from above.

 

Boyé, another resident also revealed "I have lived in this neighborhood since 1960 and I remember that, at that time, the river was completely clean; there was no garbage and there was even a specific place where you could drink water directly from it. The channel was straight and you could fish with peace of mind, managing to fill up to four or five baskets of fish without any problem. However, the environment changed drastically due to construction, which diverted the natural course of the river.

Currently, between the works and the accumulation of garbage, water runs anywhere, causing serious flooding in low lying areas. When it rains heavily, water enters the houses and, when the storm ends, the rooms are full of waste and dirt.

Despite the pollution, there are still fish in the river that children catch using fan grilles. To recover the river, the fundamental solution is to stop throwing garbage, especially that which comes from the highest areas, which is the one that affects us the most down here"

Lucía Ejapa, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 24 years has this to say: "I arrived with my father in 2000, when the Semu market did not yet exist. I remember that, when building it, they dragged the garbage to our yard, and many times we had to call on the driver to open roads.

Here a stream is born that connects to the Consul River, and digging just a few meters you will find water. However, most of the houses have the bathrooms connected directly to the river. The situation is dangerous and very risky: we live in a low-lying and swampy area, where 70% of the houses are flooded. In the rainy season, the water reaches up to the chest, dragging garbage and waste from the cesspools, which causes bad odors and diseases.

A channeling project began some time ago, but the works were left unfinished. In the meantime, we continue to suffer from flooding and trying to open accesses so that water can flow", said a person of authority from the San Valentín Neighborhood.

"I have lived in Malabo since I was five years old and I have seen how the growth of the city has deteriorated our rivers. Before, when there were few people, we could wash clothes and bathe in them, but today they have become garbage dumps due to the constructions on their banks and the lack of maintenance.

Botupa Boneke, shares the same perspective. According to him, “the situation is dire because people throw garbage and connect waste pipes directly to the river, leading to disease and attracting mosquitoes. In order for rivers to regain their purity, it is necessary to strictly prohibit these discharges and raise awareness among the population; the problem is not the river itself, but the carelessness of people."

 

Hard facts

A recent study reveals that, although 56% of homes have a toilet, 34% still use pit latrines, and 8.9% lack any type of bathroom. Of particular concern is that 52% of households located near rivers or seas discharge their wastewater directly into these bodies of water, which represents a serious health and environmental risk.

Only 10% of households near rivers are connected to sewerage networks, while 38% have poorly maintained septic tanks or private cesspools: 90.5% of these tanks have never been emptied, increasing soil contamination and public health problems. Only 9.5% empty periodically.

These data show the urgency of implementing improvements, including the extension of sewerage networks, adequate maintenance of septic tanks and educational campaigns that raise awareness about the importance of sanitation. The community is willing to participate in joint solutions, but technical and financial support from the government and local authorities will be indispensable.

The challenge at hand

• Normalization of risk: The population has largely adapted to unhealthy conditions, which makes it difficult to perceive real risk. Communication campaigns must be forceful to reverse this acceptance.

• Climate vulnerability: High rainfall calls for resilient solutions that consider flash floods as the norm.

• Urban disorder: Disorderly growth has generated settlements in unsuitable areas, so it is important to prohibit new construction in natural drainage areas.

• Institutional transparency: Community trust is critical to the success of any blended funding model; if they don't see improvements, participation will decrease. 

Strategic Solutions and Recommendations

To reverse the situation, a multisectoral plan is proposed that includes:

• Infrastructure and maintenance: Prioritize the construction of collectors in critical areas and establish a municipal service for the safe and periodic emptying of septic tanks.

• Mixed financing: Implement a quota system based on the willingness to pay manifested by 42% of families, guaranteeing financial sustainability.

• Education and participation: Develop hygiene campaigns and form neighborhood committees that act as liaisons between the community and authorities to oversee the systems.

Improving wastewater management in Bata and Malabo is essential not only to protect public health, but also to preserve the environment and ensure a better quality of life for its inhabitants. The challenge requires a joint commitment between authorities, the community and technical organizations to build a sustainable future. 

 REA Opens More Doors for Women in Engineering

 By Alain Kabinda 

LUSAKA — Zambia's energy future may depend not only on how many power projects the country builds, but also on who gets the opportunity to design, manage and deliver them. 

For young women pursuing engineering and other science-related careers, the journey from university classrooms into the professional world has often been marked by limited practical exposure, mentorship gaps and underrepresentation in technical workplaces.

 The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) is now seeking to change that reality through a new “Female Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Internship Programme”, which will provide young women with hands-on experience in Zambia's energy sector. 

The programme will accommodate between 10 and 15 female students each year, subject to available resources, with internships running for between three and six months. 

At the centre of the initiative is a simple objective: to give female students an opportunity to move beyond theory and experience engineering in practice. 

REA Chief Executive Officer Eng. Alex Mbumba said the programme was developed in response to the low participation of women in Zambia's engineering profession. 

                                                        Eng. Alex Mbumba 

He noted that women represented only five percent of registered engineers in Zambia as of March 2026, highlighting the need for deliberate interventions to increase female participation in technical professions. 

“Women remain significantly underrepresented in this area,” Eng. Mbumba said. 

For REA, however, the challenge is not only getting more girls and young women to study STEM subjects. 

It is also ensuring that those who enter universities have opportunities to acquire the practical experience, professional networks and confidence needed to transition into employment. 

The internship programme will primarily target students studying *electrical engineering, power systems engineering, renewable energy engineering, and energy and environmental engineering*. 

Students from related fields, including civil and mechanical engineering, environmental science, GIS, geomatics and information technology, may also be considered. 

The interns will be exposed to actual rural electrification activities rather than being restricted to routine office assignments. 

Their practical experience could include *distribution line design, transformer installation and sizing, load analysis, grid extension planning, solar mini-grid planning and installation, feasibility studies, GIS mapping, site inspections, project monitoring, community engagement and technical reporting*. 

This practical exposure is expected to give students a clearer understanding of how engineering knowledge is applied in communities where electricity infrastructure is being developed.

 The programme will also provide workplace safety training, technical supervision and mentorship.

 Where possible, REA intends to connect female interns with women already working in the profession, creating opportunities for career guidance and role modelling. 

The students will also be exposed to professional skills such as communication, teamwork, work ethics, problem solving, project and contract management, technical report writing and career planning. 

Eng. Mbumba has called on engineers and supervisors involved in the programme to ensure that interns receive meaningful assignments and regular feedback. 

The initiative has also brought universities into the conversation about how Zambia can better prepare engineering students for the world of work. 

And Copperbelt University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Chisale said stronger collaboration between universities and industry was necessary if institutions were to produce graduates with the technical competencies demanded by employers. 

He said practical exposure was particularly important for disciplines that require technical and psychomotor skills. 

“You have to work very hard for this internship,” he told students. 

He urged interns to demonstrate discipline, follow instructions and seek guidance whenever they encounter difficulties. 

He also warned against negligence when handling expensive equipment, noting that mistakes in an industrial environment could have serious consequences and potentially affect opportunities for other students. 

The message is clear: access to an internship is an opportunity, but converting that opportunity into professional growth will depend on the students themselves. 

Mulungushi University has also welcomed the programme, describing internships as an important bridge between academic learning and professional practice. 

The university said engineering students needed opportunities to work alongside experienced professionals, understand real project demands and begin developing the confidence and skills required in the workplace. 

Mulungushi University committed to preparing students for placement, maintaining contact throughout the internship period and using lessons from the programme to strengthen university teaching. 

The university also expressed interest in collaborating with REA on curriculum reviews to improve the alignment between academic programmes and industry requirements. 

The University of Zambia (UNZA) similarly said the programme would give female STEM students practical exposure to areas including *rural electrification design, solar mini-grids and project management*. 

UNZA identified applied research, curriculum development and technical seminars as possible areas for deeper collaboration with REA. 

Such partnerships could create a two-way relationship in which universities understand the changing needs of the energy industry while industry benefits from graduates whose training is more closely aligned with workplace realities. 

For the Ministry of Gender Equality, the programme represents more than an education initiative. 

Representing Permanent Secretary for Gender Equality Mainga Kabika, Assistant Director responsible for Women Economic Empowerment in the Gender Division Austin Makufamba said the initiative responds to two national priorities — developing the skills Zambia needs for its growing energy sector and increasing women's participation in technical professions. 

He said Zambia's energy ambitions would require engineers, planners, environmental specialists, ICT professionals, GIS experts, technicians, artisans and project managers. 

Women, he said, could not remain underrepresented in the technical roles driving the country's development. 

The five percent representation of women among registered engineers, as highlighted by REA, demonstrates the need for deliberate interventions addressing barriers that women face in technical education, practical training, employment and leadership. 

Makufamba said encouraging girls to study science and mathematics was not enough if they could not subsequently access practical training and professional mentorship. 

He linked the initiative to Zambia's gender policy and legislative framework, including the *2024 National Gender Policy* and the *Gender Amendment Act No. 22 of 2015*. 

As Zambia works to expand electricity access, the demand for technical professionals is expected to extend beyond traditional electrical engineering. 

Modern energy projects require expertise in environmental planning, land assessment, risk management, permitting, project management, construction supervision, data analysis, GIS and community engagement. 

REA will assess interns through supervisor reports, progress reviews and competence evaluations. 

Feedback from students and participating institutions will also be collected to help improve the programme. 

The authority is further encouraging universities, professional bodies, corporate partners and private-sector organisations to contribute through mentorship, specialised training, technical assistance and professional exposure. 

For the young women entering the programme, the experience could represent a critical transition — from learning about electricity and infrastructure in lecture rooms to seeing how those systems are designed and delivered on the ground.