SMEs Challenged to Shift from Trading to Value Addition

By Alain kabinda

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to take advantage of opportunities emerging from Zambia’s economic growth agenda, particularly in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, digital commerce and export markets.

                                                           Mr. James Chiwala

Speaking in an interview to Daily News in Lusaka Business Development and Marketing Expert and Co-Founder of CNC360 Consulting Mr. James Chiwala says SMEs are strategically positioned to contribute to economic growth through value addition, job creation and increased private sector participation, in line with the Eighth National Development Plan.

Mr. Chiwala said SMEs account for about 97 percent of businesses operating in Zambia and make a significant contribution to the national economy and employment.

He said the Government’s emphasis on value addition and local participation presents an opportunity for SMEs to move beyond traditional trading and become producers of goods and services.

One of the major opportunities, he said, is the mining sector, where the implementation of the Local Content framework is creating increased opportunities for Zambian-owned businesses to participate in mining supply chains.

According to Mr. Chiwala, local SMEs can supply a wide range of non-core goods and services, including catering, personal protective equipment, transport, maintenance services and safety gear.

He urged SMEs seeking to benefit from mining opportunities to formalise their businesses by obtaining the necessary registrations, including business registration with the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) registration.

Mr. Chiwala also highlighted invoice financing as an important financing mechanism that can help SMEs overcome working-capital constraints when supplying large mining companies.

He said the availability of such financing from commercial banks could enable smaller businesses to fulfil contracts while waiting for their invoices to be paid.

However,Mr. Chiwala challenged SMEs to move away from simply buying and reselling products and instead invest in value addition and manufacturing.

He encouraged farmers and agribusinesses to process agricultural commodities such as maize, soybeans, groundnuts and tomatoes into finished and packaged products.

“Don't just sell maize grain. Don't just sell soybeans. Don't just sell groundnuts. Process it, mill it, package it, brand it,” he said.

Mr. Chiwala said opportunities also existed in furniture manufacturing, building materials, agro-processing and the production of products such as tomato paste, sauces and packaged honey.

He said the Made in Zambia and Proudly Zambian initiatives could provide a market for locally manufactured products, particularly as SMEs improve the quality, packaging and branding of their goods.

Mr. Chiwala further urged SMEs to explore government and donor-supported financing programmes, including initiatives providing credit to citizen-owned businesses and enterprises operating within agricultural value chains.

He, however, warned that access to financing would remain difficult for businesses that lack proper management and financial records.

“Most of our SMEs are failing to secure funding because of poor business skills. We lack skills to run our businesses profitably and sustainably,” Mr. Chiwala said.

He urged entrepreneurs to develop business plans, maintain proper financial records and undergo capacity-building programmes to improve their chances of accessing loans and grants.

Mr. Chiwala also stressed the importance of embracing digital platforms as a way of expanding markets.

He said SMEs could use platforms such as social media, WhatsApp Business, TikTok and e-commerce to market their products beyond their immediate geographical areas.

He said a farmer in Kitwe, for example, could sell products to customers in Lusaka or Livingstone without having a physical shop in those markets.

“The world has now evolved. The world has moved on. We cannot do business as usual,” he said.

Mr. Chiwala further encouraged SMEs to form partnerships, cooperatives and business clusters to increase their capacity and take advantage of economies of scale.

He said individual SMEs often lacked the production capacity to meet large orders, but collaboration could enable groups of businesses to pool resources, purchase inputs in bulk, share equipment and compete for larger contracts.

He cited rural cooperatives as an example, saying members could collectively invest in shared infrastructure such as hammer mills, warehouses and cooking-oil processing equipment.

“Let's consider seriously working in partnerships and exploit what you call the economies of scale and synergies,” said Mr. Chiwala.

Mr. Chiwala also urged SMEs to look beyond the domestic market and explore export opportunities under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He said access to the wider African market provides significant opportunities for Zambian businesses that are able to produce competitive, quality and properly packaged goods.

He said the responsibility now rests with SMEs to prepare themselves to exploit the opportunities emerging from Zambia’s economic growth agenda.

Mr. Chiwala said businesses that formalise their operations, strengthen management skills, embrace technology, add value to local raw materials and collaborate with other enterprises would be better positioned to contribute to Zambia’s economic expansion and job creation.

 Govt Launches National Public Key Infrastructure to Boost Digital Trust

By Alain Kabinda

The Government has launched the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI), a digital security framework aimed at strengthening digital identity verification and securing electronic transactions as Zambia accelerates its digital transformation.

Speaking during the launch in Lusaka Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Dr Brilliant Habeenzu said Zambia’s digital transformation could not succeed through connectivity and online platforms alone without establishing trust in the digital environment.

“Digital information requires digital trust,” Dr Habeenzu said.

He said the NPKI was a strategic investment in Zambia’s digital future and would provide a trusted security layer for digital services, electronic documents and transactions.

Dr Habeenzu said Government would support the initiative through strengthening the policy and legal framework, investing in secure digital infrastructure and building partnerships with industry, academia, civil society and international partners.

He said the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act had provided the legal foundation for the Public Key Infrastructure framework and the establishment of a National Root Certification Authority.

Dr Habeenzu also said  that Government would continue updating regulations and harmonising standards with regional and international frameworks to strengthen confidence in electronic transactions.

He said the NPKI would complement investments in telecommunications networks, secure data centres and cybersecurity systems, while supporting the expansion of digital identity systems and resilient networks.

Dr Habeenzu said the framework could also create opportunities for local technology companies to develop products and services around digital identities, digital signatures and secure electronic transactions.

He noted that digital trust was particularly important in attracting investment because investors needed predictable systems supported by reliable infrastructure and a strong legal framework.

“The NPKI contributes to this environment by signalling that Zambia is putting in place the institutional and technical foundations required for a modern digital economy,” he said.

Dr Habeenzu said authenticated electronic documents, verified identities and secure digital transactions could help Government reduce reliance on paper-based processes and physical signatures.

He said this could make public services faster, more efficient, accountable, cost-effective and accessible.

However, Dr Habeenzu cautioned that the NPKI alone would not guarantee digital trust, saying reliable connectivity, secure data centres, resilient networks, cybersecurity capabilities, digital identity systems and skilled personnel were equally important.

Meanwhile, ZICTA Board Chairperson Professor Mundia Muya said the NPKI would provide the foundation for trusted digital interactions by enabling verification of people, organisations, devices, documents and electronic transactions.

Prof Muya said the growing use of digital government services, mobile money, digital banking, e-commerce and online businesses had made digital trust increasingly important.

“Today is not simply about launching another technology platform. It is about strengthening trust, which is fundamental to the success of our digital economy as a country,” he said.

He said the NPKI would use digital certificates and signatures to establish identity and verify the authenticity of electronic transactions and documents, helping to prevent tampering and impersonation.

Prof Muya said the infrastructure would benefit Government, businesses and consumers by supporting secure electronic services, digital approvals, paperless processes and safer online transactions.

He disclosed that ZICTA, in its capacity as the National Root Certification Authority, had operationalised the National Digital Trust Anchor.

According to Prof Muya, the trust anchor would enable digital certificates and signatures to be independently verified through an established trust chain, helping determine whether transactions were authentic and identities could be trusted.

He called on Government institutions, financial institutions, telecommunications operators, businesses and technology service providers to embrace the framework and integrate trusted digital certificates and signatures into their systems where appropriate.

“Government cannot pave the digital future in isolation. The regulator, government, industry and consumers must work together,” Prof Muya said.

And speaking at the same ceremony ZICTA Director General Eng Collins Mbulo described the launch as a significant milestone in Zambia’s efforts to build a secure, trusted and digitally enabled economy.

Eng Mbulo said the infrastructure would establish mechanisms for identifying parties involved in online transactions, validating electronic records and protecting digital information from security threats.

And Further, Smart Zambia National Coordinator Percy Chinyama has called for greater speed in the implementation of digital innovations, warning that delays could undermine investments in the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Mr Chinyama said technology projects required timely implementation because innovations could become outdated when subjected to lengthy government processes.

“Today is a day that should have happened a long time ago. Talk of PKI started a long time ago, but it has now arrived, and we are happy it has arrived,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of sustainability, urging institutions to plan for adequate financing, skilled personnel and technical capacity to maintain digital systems after their implementation.

Mr Chinyama warned that excessive dependence on external support could leave institutions “vendor locked” when they lacked internal technical capacity.

He further urged public institutions to overcome resistance to new technologies and ensure that legal, procurement and technical officials worked together when making decisions affecting digital projects.

Mr Chinyama said the NPKI would support Zambia’s continuing digitalisation efforts, including digital identity and the delivery of government services through online platforms.

He described the launch as the beginning of a broader journey towards a digitally enabled public sector.

“A genuine goal has not ended; it has just begun. We have a big journey in front of us, and that journey starts now,” he said.

The NPKI is expected to play a central role in Zambia’s digital transformation by creating a trusted environment for electronic transactions, digital government services, businesses and citizens.

 “Zambia Awaits PISA Results as Education Performance Comes Under Spotlight”

By Alain Kabinda

Zambia is set to receive the results of the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tomorrow, with education authorities expecting the findings to provide important evidence on learning outcomes and guide future education policies.

The results will be officially released in Paris by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which coordinates the international assessment.

Speaking during a media engagement in Lusaka, Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) Director of Research, Planning and Information Dr Shadreck Nkoya said Zambia’s participation in international large-scale assessments was aimed at generating evidence on learner performance and the factors affecting education outcomes.

                                                      Dr Shadreck Nkoya

He said the assessments examine learners’ performance in Reading, Mathematics and Science, while also collecting information on learner background, motivation, resilience and their ability to manage learning in a digital environment.

Zambia first participated in PISA in 2018 through PISA for Development, a programme designed, among other objectives, to strengthen countries’ capacity to conduct large-scale assessments and use education data to inform policy.

The country subsequently participated in the 2022 PISA cycle, during a period when Zambia was implementing its new curriculum.

In 2025, Zambia joined the main PISA assessment alongside 90 other education systems globally, with about 760,000 students taking part worldwide.

Science was the main assessment domain for the 2025 cycle, while Reading and Mathematics were also assessed.

The assessment also placed increased emphasis on learning in a digital environment and students’ self-regulated learning skills.

Zambia’s participation alongside African countries such as Morocco and Egypt provides an opportunity for the country to benchmark its education system against international standards.

According to Dr Shadreck Nkoya, the assessment provides an opportunity for education systems to identify what works, learn from successful countries and use evidence to strengthen policies and teaching practices.

The results are also expected to offer an indication of whether investments in classrooms, teachers, learning materials and education monitoring are translating into improved learning outcomes.

This is expected to make the findings an important reference point for policymakers, educators and other stakeholders seeking to address gaps in the education system.

As Zambia awaits the results, Dr Shadreck Nkoyahe has urged the media and other stakeholders to interpret and communicate the findings responsibly and within their proper context.

The Council, working with the OECD, is expected to provide technical support to stakeholders to help them understand the results and their implications for Zambia’s education system.

OECD Paris Data Manager for PISA Guillaume Bouquet is expected to provide technical guidance during the interpretation of the findings.

                                                   Mr. Guillaume Bouquet 

Among the key questions following the release will be how Zambia performed in Reading, Mathematics and Science, whether the country has made progress since its earlier participation in PISA, and which education policies and interventions may require strengthening.

The findings are also expected to inform Zambia’s preparations for PISA 2029, while providing evidence that could be used to strengthen teaching and learning.

The ECZ has described the release as an important moment for the country’s education sector.

“Tomorrow is a big day for education in Zambia,”Dr Shadreck Nkoya said, expressing confidence that the findings would provide an opportunity for the country to learn from evidence and strengthen its education system.

The Council has meanwhile reminded the media that the PISA 2025 results remain under embargo until their official international release tomorrow.

 

Lusaka Mayor Calls for Citizen Action on Environmental Cleanliness

By Alain Kabinda

Lusaka Mayor Chitambala Mwewa has called on Zambians to take personal responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean, saying environmental protection should not be left to councils and Government alone.

Mr Mwewa said lasting improvements in the country’s environmental conditions would only be achieved when citizens actively participated in maintaining clean communities instead of merely talking about the need for cleanliness.

“In order to change our country, we have to start from a place of participation. As citizens, all of us have to participate in making sure that our environments are clean, our surroundings are clean, and we are actively doing that, not just lip service,” he said.

The Mayor was speaking during an event linked to Zambia’s Elephant Charge, an annual off-road motorsport event that combines adventure with fundraising for wildlife conservation and environmental education.

Mr Mwewa said environmental responsibility should become part of everyday life, arguing that people needed to be deliberately educated about how their actions affect their surroundings.

“We have to educate our people. If we don't start from a place of education, which means enlightening them, it won't happen because it's automatic, no. It will happen because we are deliberate about teaching our people a better way,” he said.

He said civic leaders should also give greater attention to cleanliness because of its direct connection to public health.

“We cannot do anything if we don't start from cleanliness. Health is the number one vantage point,” Mr Mwewa said.

He said citizens needed to develop a culture of cleanliness and understand that protecting the environment was a shared responsibility.

“We have to turn our people into believers of cleanliness, and it's possible to do,” he said.

The Elephant Charge provides a unique platform for combining motorsport with environmental conservation.

Established in Zambia in 2008 and inspired by Kenya’s Rhino Charge, the event brings together 4x4 teams to navigate challenging bush terrain while attempting to cover the shortest possible distance between designated checkpoints.

Unlike conventional motorsport competitions where speed is the primary objective, teams participating in the Elephant Charge are required to plan routes, navigate difficult terrain and work together to recover vehicles and undertake repairs when mechanical problems occur.

The competition typically involves rivers, rocky terrain, steep slopes and thick bush, with the location kept secret until shortly before the event.

However, beyond the spectacle of vehicles battling difficult terrain, the Elephant Charge has a wider conservation objective.

Funds raised through the event are channelled through grants to Zambian organisations working in wildlife conservation and environmental education.

Since its establishment, the event has reportedly raised close to US$2 million, supporting initiatives aimed at protecting Zambia’s natural environment and educating communities about conservation.

Mr Mwewa said such initiatives were important but stressed that environmental protection could not depend entirely on organised campaigns.

He said the long-term solution required ordinary citizens to make cleanliness and environmental responsibility part of their daily lives.

The Mayor said a cleaner environment would not only improve the appearance of communities but would also contribute to better public health and the overall wellbeing of citizens.

 

 

 

Mwiinde Challenges Young Persons With Disabilities to Seek Leadership

By Alain Kabinda

Choma West Member of Parliament Trevor Mwiinde has challenged young persons with disabilities to reject being viewed merely as vulnerable people and instead demand meaningful participation in Zambia’s political leadership and decision-making processes.

Mwiinde said disability should never be equated with an inability to lead, urging young people with disabilities to move beyond being mobilised during elections and seek positions where they can influence decisions affecting their communities and the country.

“Disability should never be interpreted as inability to lead. Inclusion is about equal citizenship,” Mwiinde said.

He was speaking as guest of honour at a programme themed “Strengthening the Political Participation of Young Persons with Disabilities.”

Mwiinde said democracy should not only be about citizens exercising their right to vote, but should also provide opportunities for people to participate in leadership and influence decisions.

“Democracy cannot be measured by whether citizens are permitted to vote or not. Young people must progress beyond mobilisation into meaningful participation,” he said.

He called on political parties to ensure persons with disabilities are incorporated into party structures and leadership processes rather than only being remembered during election campaigns.

“There is nothing that beats participation, especially at the leadership table,” Mwiinde said.

He further encouraged young persons with disabilities to organise themselves and become more visible in political and civic spaces, saying stronger organisation would make it easier for government and other stakeholders to engage them on important national issues.

Mwiinde also cautioned young people against excessive dependence on political patrons, saying political participation without personal and economic independence could leave them vulnerable to manipulation.

“Political mobilisation, if you are not resourceful and you are not independent, you can end up being mobilised and put in somebody's pockets,” he warned.

He said young persons with disabilities should pursue leadership out of a genuine desire to serve rather than for personal gratification.

“The desire to serve is a conviction. The desire to serve goes beyond personal satisfaction. The desire to serve calls for teamwork and trust in others,” Mwiinde said.

Meanwhile, UPND PA to Media Director Karen Twambo said political participation should mean more than simply having persons with disabilities present in political spaces.

Twambo said young persons with disabilities needed knowledge, confidence, opportunities and platforms to contribute to national discussions and influence decisions.

“Political participation must mean more than simply being present. It must also mean having the knowledge, having the confidence, having the opportunity and the space to contribute,” she said.

She said inclusion would have little meaning if persons with disabilities were excluded from discussions about issues affecting them.

“Inclusivity really doesn't count unless the people we're talking about are part of what we're speaking about,” Twambo said.

Twambo said meaningful political participation should ultimately enable persons with disabilities to influence decisions and assume leadership positions.

“It also means that we should be able to influence the decisions, and ultimately be able to lead,” she said.

She further stressed the importance of allowing persons with disabilities to choose representatives who understand their lived experiences and challenges.

Twambo said young participants should use programmes of this nature to gain knowledge, ask questions freely and build relationships that could strengthen their participation in political and public life.

The speakers urged young persons with disabilities to use their collective voice and organisation to shift the narrative surrounding disability from vulnerability to equal citizenship, participation and leadership.

 ZICA Urges 884 Graduates to Embrace Ethics, Innovation and Lifelong Learning

By Alain Kabinda

The Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) has challenged 884 newly qualified accountancy and taxation professionals to embrace lifelong learning, ethical leadership and innovation as they enter an increasingly competitive and technology-driven economy.

The call was made during the Institute’s 20th Graduation Ceremony held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre on September 4, 2026, under the theme “Celebrating Two Decades of Excellence: Empowering Accountancy Professionals for a Sustainable Future.”

Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Lusaka Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni said the accounting profession had evolved significantly, with accountants now expected to play broader roles as strategic advisers, risk managers, business leaders, innovators and champions of good governance.

Professor Chifwanakeni said the changing economic environment, rapid technological advancement, digital transformation and growing demands for accountability required professionals who could continuously adapt and improve their skills.

He urged the graduates to commit themselves to lifelong learning, warning that the qualifications obtained at graduation would provide a foundation for their careers but would not be enough to sustain them throughout their professional lives.

He also encouraged the new professionals to develop digital competencies and remain abreast of developments in artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital finance, sustainability reporting and cybersecurity.

“Continue learning. Seek new qualifications. Develop digital competencies. Stay informed about global developments in finance, taxation, governance, and business management,” Professor Chifwanakeni said.

He also stressed the importance of ethical leadership, saying accountants would occupy influential positions in government, private companies, non-governmental organisations and international institutions.

Professor Chifwanakeni urged the graduates to uphold honesty, transparency and accountability and resist shortcuts when making professional decisions.

“Ethical leadership builds strong institutions, and strong institutions are essential for sustainable national development,” He said.

He further challenged the graduates to use their professional knowledge to serve society by strengthening businesses, improving public financial management, promoting entrepreneurship and creating employment opportunities.

Professor Chifwanakeni said professional knowledge should not be used solely for personal advancement but should contribute to transforming communities and supporting national development.

Meanwhile, ZICA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Bwembya said the Institute was continuing to strengthen its education and training programmes to ensure its qualifications remained relevant to the changing needs of the profession and the economy.

Bwembya said ZICA had revised the CA Zambia curriculum to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills and competencies required in a rapidly changing business environment.

He said practical training would remain central to the development of Chartered Accountants and called on more organisations to become Approved Employers under the CA Zambia programme.

Bwembya also appealed to experienced professionals to register as mentors to provide students with the practical experience and guidance required to qualify as Chartered Accountants.

He said the continued growth of the CA Zambia qualification depended not only on the number of students entering the programme but also on the availability of opportunities for trainees to gain practical experience and mentorship.

To the graduates, Bwembya said graduation represented an important achievement but also marked the beginning of another stage in their professional journey.

He encouraged them to remain committed to professional ethics, continuous learning and excellence, noting that the reputation of the accountancy profession was built through the conduct and contribution of individual professionals.

The 884 graduates were awarded qualifications across taxation and accountancy programmes.

According to ZICA, the graduating class comprised 10 Certificate in Taxation, nine Diploma in Taxation, 122 Diploma in Accountancy, nine Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation, 262 CA Certificate in Accountancy, 239 CA Application Advanced Diploma in Accountancy and 233 CA Advisory Professional in Accountancy.

Professor Chifwanakeni told the graduates that their qualifications would open doors, but their character would determine how far they went.

He urged them to pursue not only professional success but also significance by making a positive contribution to their workplaces, communities and the nation.

The graduation marked two decades of ZICA ceremonies and highlighted the Institute’s continuing role in developing competent, ethical and adaptable accountancy professionals capable of contributing to Zambia’s economic growth and competitiveness.

Africa’s Obesity Advocates Push for a Bigger Role in Health Systems

By Alain Kabinda 

From Ghana to Zambia and South Africa, advocates are bringing evidence and lived experience into health policy discussions, calling for obesity to be recognised as an essential part of the region’s response to NCDs and Universal Health Coverage.

As African countries work to build stronger health systems and expand access to healthcare, advocates are calling for a health challenge that affects millions across the continent to receive greater attention: obesity.

From national engagement in Ghana to high-level discussions at the 76th Session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa (AFRO76), World Obesity members and advocates are helping to ensure that obesity is not overlooked in wider conversations about noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), primary healthcare and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Their work is also highlighting another critical element of health policy: the voices of people living with obesity themselves.

The experience by Ms. Brenda Chitindi, Executive Director of the Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation and a World Obesity lived experience advocate, demonstrate how national and regional advocacy can connect evidence, lived experience and policy.

At AFRO76, Ms. Brenda Chitindi represented World Obesity alongside other organisations, bringing the perspectives of people living with obesity and the wider obesity community into regional health discussions.

In a statement on progress towards implementing the WHO African Region's Framework for Sustaining Resilient Health Systems to Achieve Universal Health Coverage and Promote Health Security 2023–2030, Ms. Brenda welcomed progress while urging Member States to make obesity prevention and management part of efforts to strengthen UHC and primary healthcare.

Her intervention drew attention to the rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity across the African region and its links with other major NCDs, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Integrating obesity prevention and management into primary healthcare could deliver what advocates describe as a “double dividend” — improving health outcomes while also generating economic benefits and addressing a major driver of multiple diseases.

It emphasised the importance of listening to people who live with obesity and involving them in the design and implementation of health services.

When people living with obesity are involved in shaping care, services can become more person-centred and better equipped to address stigma and the barriers that prevent people from seeking or receiving appropriate support.

Ms. Brenda's participation at AFRO76 therefore represented more than advocacy on behalf of people living with obesity. It reflected a wider effort to ensure that people with lived experience have a seat at the table when decisions about their health are being made.

Alongside her advocacy at AFRO76, Ms. Brenda also helped raise awareness of MAPPS II – Management and Advocacy for Providers, Patients and Systems, World Obesity's global initiative examining how obesity prevention, treatment and care are addressed across health systems.

MAPPS II brings together research and multi-stakeholder engagement, involving healthcare professionals, policymakers, civil society, people living with obesity and their caregivers.

The initiative is designed to build a clearer understanding of what happens in practice: where health systems are responding effectively to obesity, where gaps exist and what can be done to strengthen prevention and care.

South Africa is one of six MAPPS II deep-dive countries, where researchers and stakeholders are examining barriers and opportunities in obesity prevention and care.

A national roundtable in Cape Town brought together more than 25 participants from government, healthcare, research, civil society and lived experience.

The gathering provided an opportunity to bring different perspectives together and explore how obesity can be better addressed within existing health systems.

MAPPS II is also building a broader regional evidence base. The forthcoming MAPPS II Atlas includes South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya among the countries represented from the WHO African Region.

As governments across Africa seek to strengthen primary healthcare and advance UHC, decisions about which conditions receive attention, resources and services have significant implications for health equity.

Obesity is closely connected to several other major health challenges, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Yet access to prevention, treatment and long-term care can vary considerably.

For advocates, this creates a strong case for obesity to be addressed as part of integrated health-system planning rather than through isolated programmes.

The evidence emerging from MAPPS II, combined with engagement from healthcare professionals, policymakers, civil society and people with lived experience, can help build that case.

Evidence and stakeholder engagement from MAPPS II will contribute to national and global discussions on health-system priorities in the lead-up to the 2027 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

For the obesity community, the meeting provides an important opportunity to reinforce a fundamental argument: universal health coverage cannot be achieved if major drivers of disease and health inequity are overlooked.

That means ensuring that obesity prevention, treatment and care are considered within broader health-system strategies.

The focus is increasingly moving beyond individual responsibility towards questions of prevention, access to care, health-system capacity, policy and equity.

Advocates like Ms. Brenda Chitindi are helping to drive that change by connecting national experiences with regional and global policy discussions.

Her work, alongside the evidence being generated through MAPPS II, is helping to build a stronger argument for obesity to be treated as an integral part of the NCD and UHC agenda.

As countries prepare for the next major global discussion on universal health coverage, the challenge will be turning that growing recognition into concrete action.

For people living with obesity across Africa, that action could mean health services that are easier to access, more responsive to their needs and free from stigma.

And for health systems, it could mean recognising that achieving better health for all requires addressing obesity alongside the other major challenges shaping the region’s health future.