Swala Pilu Urges Zambians to Prioritise Mental Health After Elections

By Alain kabinda

 LUSAKA — Swala Pilu (Hold Your Heart) has urged Zambians to prioritise their mental and emotional wellbeing following the August 13, 2026 General Elections.

Swala Pilu Executive Director and Founder Ms. Mary Kufanga says the post-election period could have significant mental health implications for citizens, particularly candidates, their families, financiers and supporters who were deeply invested in the electoral outcome.

                                                               (Ms. Mary Kufanga)

Speaking during a media engagement in Lusaka,Ms. Kufanga said anxiety had increased during the period when the country was waiting for election results, particularly amid concerns over the pace at which results were being announced.

She said the uncertainty created serious emotional pressure for candidates and their supporters.

“The current moment is very critical to the emotional and mental well-being of every citizen of this country,” Ms. Kufanga said.

She called on families, workplaces and communities to pay attention to people who may be struggling to cope with the election outcome.

Ms. Kufanga said warning signs could include difficulty concentrating on simple tasks, physical tension, lack of motivation and withdrawal from normal daily activities.

She urged Zambians to check on colleagues, friends and family members rather than assuming that changes in behaviour were simply part of normal post-election reactions.

Ms. Kufanga said Swala Pilu deployed members to monitor the August 13 elections because electoral processes can have a significant impact on the mental wellbeing of citizens.

She said the organisation monitored voting, counting and the announcement of results across all ten constituencies of Lusaka Province.

The organisation initially intended to accredit more than 100 monitors and observers but managed to accredit fewer due to challenges encountered during the accreditation process.

Ms. Kufanga said some members spent between two and three days queuing at Nakatindi Hall before being accredited.

She recommended that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) either provide more days for accreditation in future elections or increase the number of personnel handling the process.

Despite the challenges, she said the organisation managed to reach its targeted polling stations through collaboration with other election monitoring organisations.

And Ms. Kufanga said Swala Pilu’s overall assessment was that the elections were conducted peacefully and that arrangements were generally satisfactory, despite isolated incidents of violence reported in areas such as Matero, Chawama and Kitwe.

She congratulated the ECZ, election participants and winners for their role in the electoral process.

Ms.  Kufanga has also appealed to political leaders and communicators to exercise responsibility when discussing election results.

She said political leaders should provide messages of hope and avoid statements that could intensify feelings of fear, anger or betrayal among supporters.

She also urged media practitioners and other communicators not to use election results to provoke or harm political opponents.

“We need to immediately become ambassadors of mental health,” Ms. Kufanga said.

She advised citizens to seek balanced sources of information and avoid excessive exposure to election-related coverage if it was increasing anxiety.

Ms. Kufanga further encouraged those disappointed by the results to acknowledge their emotions while accepting the outcome as part of the democratic process.

She said democracy should not be treated simply as a contest where winners gain everything and losers lose everything, but as a process that allows citizens to remain engaged beyond election day.

Ms. Kufanga reminded Zambians that life continues after the announcement of election results.

“Your preferred election candidate may have won or lost but you will need your mental health to process what happens next,” she said.

She called on families and communities to support people experiencing mental health challenges and avoid isolating those who may need help.

Ms. Kufanga further said that Swala Pilu remains committed to providing support to individuals requiring post-election mental health assistance.

“And perhaps most importantly, remember that there is life after the final election results. The election matters. But it is not the entirety of your life,” Ms. Kufanga said.

She concluded by wishing Zambians peace and congratulating President Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election.

 New ZCSA Office to Boost Cyber Incident Response

By Alain kabinda

LUSAKA — In an increasingly connected Zambia, the battle to protect citizens, businesses and government institutions is no longer confined to physical borders. It is also being fought across computers, mobile phones, networks and digital platforms.

It is against this changing security landscape that the Zambia Cyber Security Agency (ZCSA) has opened a new office in Lusaka, signalling a renewed effort to strengthen the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to cyber threats.

Speaking during the official opening of the ZCSA’s offices in Lusaka, ZCSA Director General Dr. Schmidt Shilukobo Chintu, stated that the new premises represent more than just a change of address. They provide the Agency with an opportunity to bring its different functions together, improve coordination and respond more effectively to incidents in cyberspace.

Dr. Chintu said, ZCSA had previously been operating from government offices owned by the Smart Zambia Institute. While the arrangement provided accommodation, the available space could not adequately accommodate all the Agency’s staff and functions.

He expressed gratitude to the sister organisation Smart Zambia for providing the temporary accommodation as ZCSA worked towards establishing its own operational space.

The new office now gives the Agency an opportunity to operate as a full team from a single location.

For an institution tasked with responding to cyber incidents, this physical coordination could prove important.

Cyber threats do not necessarily occur according to office hours or organisational boundaries. A compromised system, fraudulent transaction or cyberattack can require rapid communication between technical teams and other stakeholders.

Dr. Chintu believes the new facility will help remove some of the constraints that previously affected the Agency’s operations.

He also said having a clear physical address would make it easier for members of the public and organisations to locate ZCSA and report cyber incidents.

One of the important aspects of ZCSA’s mandate is that cybersecurity is not only a government concern.

The Agency serves government institutions, private companies and individual users who increasingly depend on digital platforms for communication, commerce, financial transactions and access to services.

Dr. Chintu describes this interconnected digital environment as an ecosystem.

“Just as a natural ecosystem requires the right conditions for different forms of life to grow, he argues that the digital ecosystem must also be secure if Zambia is to fully benefit from technology,” Dr. Chintu said.

He also stated that Businesses can transact online with greater confidence. Government can expand digital services. Individuals can use technology without constantly fearing that their information or resources will be compromised.

But without adequate protection, the same digital platforms that create opportunities can also expose users to fraud, identity theft, cyberattacks and other forms of online abuse.

While ZCSA is strengthening its institutional capacity, the Agency says the public also has an important role to play in protecting Zambia’s cyberspace.

Dr. Chintu has urged citizens to become more knowledgeable about common cyber threats and to avoid being easily deceived online.

The message comes as scammers continue to exploit people’s desire for quick financial gains through suspicious online offers, messages and links.

A promise of making large amounts of money with little effort can sometimes be the beginning of a much bigger problem.

ZCSA is therefore encouraging individuals to think carefully before sharing personal information, clicking suspicious links, sending money or responding to unsolicited online offers.

The Agency believes that a more informed public can prevent many incidents before they reach the point where intervention becomes necessary.

The opening of the new office also comes with a broader recognition that cybersecurity is increasingly linked to national security.

Government institutions, businesses and citizens now depend heavily on digital systems. As Zambia advances its digital transformation agenda, the potential impact of attacks against critical information infrastructure also grows.

And meanwhile Mr. Guota Suresh, who confirmed the official handover of the office to ZCSA, said the development demonstrated government’s commitment to treating cybersecurity as part of national security.

“This office space is given to ZCSA to start operating. It is a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to prioritise cyber security as part of national security,” he said.

The statement places the new facility within a much larger national agenda: securing the systems upon which Zambia’s digital future increasingly depends.

For ZCSA, the new office is ultimately about creating a safer environment in which technology can deliver its promised benefits.

The Agency wants citizens to be able to use digital services, businesses to innovate and government institutions to provide services online without exposing users to unnecessary risks.

It requires skilled personnel, effective coordination, public awareness, responsible digital behaviour and cooperation between government, businesses, security institutions and ordinary users.

The new Lusaka office provides ZCSA with a stronger operational base. The bigger challenge, however, remains ensuring that Zambia’s expanding digital ecosystem grows securely.

As more services move online and more people become connected, cybersecurity will increasingly become a shared responsibility.

For ZCSA, the message is clear: protecting Zambia’s digital future will require not only stronger institutions, but also a more informed and vigilant digital citizenry.

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 UN Clarifies It Has No Electoral Observation Mandate in Zambia

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA, 15 August 2026 – The United Nations (UN) in Zambia has denied reports circulating on social media that its observers congratulated a presidential candidate following the 13 August 2026 general elections.

The UN says it did not deploy election observers for the elections and has no electoral observation mandate in Zambia.

In a statement issued to Daily News in Lusaka, the UN said claims suggesting that the organisation or its representatives had endorsed, congratulated or commented on any candidate or electoral outcome were false and misleading.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia Beatrice Mutali said the UN only observes national electoral processes when specifically mandated to do so by the General Assembly or the Security Council.

"The United Nations does not observe national electoral processes unless mandated by the General Assembly or the Security Council," Mutali said.

She explained that although the UN supports Member States in strengthening democratic institutions and encourages compliance with international obligations and commitments, it does not pronounce itself on the validity of an electoral process or the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

The clarification follows the circulation of alleged information on social media purporting to show UN involvement in the country's electoral process.

The UN has strongly condemned the alleged inappropriate and unlawful use of its emblems and urged the public and media organisations to exercise caution when consuming and sharing election-related information.

The organisation has called on members of the public and media houses to verify information through official UN communication channels before sharing or publishing it.

The UN warned that the circulation of unverified information could contribute to misinformation and disinformation, particularly during the sensitive period following the elections.

Meanwhile, the UN has appealed for dialogue among political stakeholders to help defuse tensions as the country awaits the official announcement of election results.

It has further urged political leaders to uphold the political parties' peace pledge and called on their supporters to reject any form of violence.

The UN's statement comes as Zambia awaits the official conclusion of the electoral process, with stakeholders being urged to remain peaceful and rely on verified information from authorised institutions.

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 ZCTU Warns Employers Against Blocking Workers From Voting on Election Day 

By Alain Kabinda 

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has urged employers across the country to respect Thursday, 13 August 2026, as a public holiday and ensure workers are given sufficient opportunity to participate in the electoral process. 

ZCTU President Blake Mulala said workers should not be forced to choose between reporting for duty and exercising their constitutional right to vote. 

                                                                     (Mr. Blake Mulala)

Mr Mulala particularly called on private-sector employers not to compel workers to report for normal duties where doing so could prevent or interfere with their ability to cast their ballots.

 “The declaration of 13th August 2026 as a public holiday must be respected by every employer,” Mr Mulala said. “Workers are citizens first, and they have an equal right to participate in choosing the leadership of this country.” 

He said employers operating essential services and other critical operations that require workers to remain on duty should put practical arrangements in place to ensure affected employees have sufficient time to vote.

 Mr Mulala warned that the labour movement would oppose any attempts to intimidate or victimise workers for exercising their democratic rights.

 He said workers should not face threats of dismissal, loss of pay, disciplinary action or other forms of victimisation because they want to participate in the electoral process. 

The ZCTU President also called on the Government and relevant authorities to ensure the public holiday is respected and that workers are protected from intimidation, discrimination and victimisation linked to their participation in the election. 

He encouraged all eligible workers to turn out in large numbers, vote peacefully and exercise their civic responsibility.

 “The ballot belongs to every citizen, including the working people of Zambia. Let no worker be left behind because of work obligations. Every worker must have the opportunity to vote,” Mr Mulala said. 

The ZCTU said it would remain committed to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring that working people can participate fully in decisions affecting their lives, livelihoods and the future of Zambia.

 Continental Re Opens BWP2.13 Billion Public Offer on Botswana Stock Exchange

  By Alain kabinda 

GABORONE, Botswana — Continental Reinsurance Holdings Limited has opened a BWP2.13 billion (US$156.1 million) public offer on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE), in a landmark transaction that could make the company the first reinsurer listed on Botswana’s capital market. 

The offer gives retail and institutional investors an opportunity to take part in the ownership of a pan-African reinsurance group with more than four decades of industry experience. Subject to the successful completion of the offer and admission to trading, Continental Re Holdings will become the first reinsurer listed on the BSE. 

Shares are being offered at BWP1 each, with a minimum application of 200 shares, or BWP200. 

Of the total proceeds, BWP409 million (US$30 million) will be raised by the Group to finance its next phase of growth, while BWP1.72 billion (US$126.1 million) will facilitate the exit of existing shareholders. 

The company said the capital raised will be used to strengthen its balance sheet and support its ambition of progressing towards an A financial strength rating. It also plans to expand its core underwriting operations, scale its capital-light Alternative Risk Solutions business and invest in digital infrastructure. 

“For over 40 years, Continental Reinsurance has been at the heart of Africa’s insurance story, absorbing risk, enabling growth, and ensuring that when the unexpected happens, Africa’s insurance market can respond,” Group Managing Director Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare said. 

                                            (Mr. Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare)

He described the public offer as the next step in the company’s development and said the listing would deepen Continental Re’s commitment to Botswana while opening a new chapter of public ownership for the pan-African reinsurer. 

Continental Reinsurance Holdings is a Botswana-domiciled holding company incorporated in November 2023 to consolidate and extend the Group’s African reinsurance operations. 

The Group provides life and non-life reinsurance across business lines including property and engineering, casualty and liability, marine and aviation, energy and political risks, agriculture and life insurance. 

Its operations span more than 50 African countries and the Middle East, with regional hubs in Lagos, Nairobi, Gaborone, Douala, Abidjan and Tunis. The Group employs 144 professionals representing more than 10 nationalities, with women accounting for more than 40% of its workforce. 

The public offer comes after an improvement in the Group’s financial performance. 

For the 2025 financial year, Continental Re reported gross written premiums of US$165.6 million, equivalent to about BWP2.27 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 5.5%. 

Insurance revenue reached US$173.1 million, while profit before tax rose by more than 50% to US$9.7 million, or approximately BWP105 million. 

The Group's loss ratio stood at 33%, while its combined ratio improved to 92%, compared with 94% in 2024. 

Continental Re said the performance reflects its focus on disciplined underwriting and provides a platform for further expansion across African markets. 

The listing comes as the African reinsurance market continues to offer significant expansion opportunities, supported by relatively low insurance penetration, increasing infrastructure investment, climate-related risks and regulatory initiatives aimed at retaining more insurance premiums within the continent. 

According to figures cited by the company, African reinsurance premiums increased by about 89% in the decade to 2024, outpacing the growth of the continent’s direct insurance market. 

The African reinsurance market was valued at more than US$6.27 billion in 2024, representing about 1.6% of the global market. Non-life business dominates the market, accounting for approximately 87.5%, while life reinsurance represents the remaining 12.5%. 

Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco and Algeria are among the continent’s leading reinsurance markets. 

For Botswana, the transaction also carries significance beyond Continental Re itself. The proposed listing supports efforts to deepen the country’s capital markets by introducing a new financial-services sector to the local exchange and broadening investment opportunities for domestic investors.

 IBA Warns Broadcasters Against Speculative Election Results

 By Alain Kabinda 

LUSAKA — The Independent Broadcasting Authority, IBA, has urged broadcasters to strictly adhere to the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines as Zambia heads to the polls on Thursday.

The guidelines, issued in May, are aimed at promoting accurate, balanced, fair and responsible election coverage while ensuring that the public has access to reliable information to make informed decisions.

Speaking to the media in Lusaka  IBA Director General Webster Malido said  that before general elections the institution conducted a series of election coverage workshops to strengthen broadcasters’ understanding of the guidelines and the legal and professional standards governing election broadcasting.

Mr Malido also commended broadcasters for their overall compliance during the campaign period, although it says some instances of non-compliance have been recorded.

He further reminded broadcasters that election coverage is subject to specific requirements, including restrictions on campaign interviews featuring political parties or candidates on polling day.

Broadcasters have also been cautioned against airing predictions of election outcomes.

He warned  that no new opinion poll results should be broadcast before the close of polling.

Where opinion polls are permitted, broadcasters must disclose information including the source of the poll, the organisation that conducted or sponsored it, the date it was conducted, the population covered, the sample size and the methodology used.

On election results, the IBA has urged broadcasters to exercise the highest levels of accuracy and professionalism.

While stations may provide updates on voting, counting and tallying, they have been warned against announcing speculative, projected or unverified results.

Mr Malido said election results should only be broadcast after they have been officially announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Broadcasters have also been urged to exercise caution when using information obtained from social media, political actors, commentators and other unofficial or unverified sources.

Mr. Malido has called for fair and equitable coverage of all political parties and candidates, with broadcasters expected to provide reasonable opportunities for contestants to communicate their views and policies.

Mr. Malido added against content that promotes hate speech, tribalism, violence, character assassination or the spread of misinformation.

Meanwhile, members of the public, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders have been reminded that complaints concerning election coverage should first be submitted to the broadcasting station concerned.

Stations are required to respond to complaints within two days during the election period.

Where there is no response within the prescribed period, or where a complainant is dissatisfied with the response, the matter can be escalated to the IBA.

The Authority says it will continue monitoring election-related broadcasts throughout the electoral period to ensure compliance with the law and the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines.

The IBA has called on broadcasters to remain committed to accuracy, fairness and responsible reporting, saying professional and ethical coverage will be critical to supporting a peaceful and credible electoral process.

 From Forests to Finance: How Zambia's Carbon Registry Could Transform Climate Action

By Alain Kabinda

For decades, Zambia's vast forests, wetlands and rich biodiversity have been recognised as one of the country's greatest natural assets. Today, those ecosystems are becoming economic assets as well.

With the launch of the National Carbon Registry, Zambia has taken a decisive step into the rapidly expanding global carbon market, positioning itself among the first countries in the world to establish a fully integrated sovereign digital platform for managing carbon credits.

The move is more than a technological achievement. It represents a shift in how Zambia intends to finance climate action, attract green investment and protect its natural resources while pursuing sustainable economic growth.

This Development which is made by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) with support from the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C) Programme, the registry establishes the digital backbone for Zambia's participation in international carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

At its core, the registry is designed to answer one of the biggest questions in carbon markets: Can carbon credits be trusted?

Carbon markets have often faced criticism over transparency, weak oversight and the risk of "double counting"—where the same emission reduction is claimed by multiple parties.

The digital platform will register carbon projects, track greenhouse gas emission reductions, verify climate outcomes and issue carbon credits using internationally recognised monitoring, reporting and verification standards.

Every carbon credit generated through the system can be traced, providing investors, governments and project developers with greater confidence that the environmental benefits are genuine and measurable.

Speaking during the launch in Lusaka Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary Mr. Douty Chibamba said transparency lies at the heart of the new system.

"Zambia's Carbon Registry is fully online, demonstrating our integrity and strong commitment to accountability and transparency. We will ensure that all activities conform to the provisions of Zambia's Green Economy and Climate Change Act and the Paris Agreement, and that actions related to our carbon credits are visible and can be reviewed by members of the public," he said.

Countries and companies around the world are searching for credible carbon credits to help meet their climate commitments.

With bilateral agreements already signed with Sweden, Norway and Switzerland under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, Zambia is now positioned to begin trading internationally recognised carbon credits.

This creates opportunities for new investment in forest conservation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and community-based climate projects.

Rather than relying solely on traditional development assistance, Zambia could increasingly attract climate finance by protecting ecosystems that naturally absorb carbon dioxide.

If well governed, carbon projects have the potential to generate employment, support conservation efforts, improve rural livelihoods and create new income streams while preserving forests that millions of people depend on.

It represents years of work to establish the legal, institutional and technical systems needed for Zambia to participate in global carbon markets.

And Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and integrated with the country's national greenhouse gas monitoring systems.

Acting Director General Christopher Kanema added that the agency is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity.

He said the registry will be fully integrated with Zambia's national Measurement, Reporting and Verification system to ensure seamless reporting between carbon market activities and national greenhouse gas accounting.

Such integration is expected to strengthen compliance with Zambia's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement while improving oversight of climate mitigation projects.

Rather than importing solutions exclusively from outside the continent, Zambia partnered with Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency through South-South cooperation.

The collaboration allowed the two countries to exchange technical expertise and practical lessons while building systems tailored to African realities.

The registry was developed under the SPAR6C Programme, implemented internationally by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and delivered in Zambia by GFA Consulting Group and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre.

The partnership illustrates how African countries are increasingly collaborating to strengthen climate governance and unlock new sources of sustainable finance.

Meanwhile SPAR6C Zambia Team Lead Joachim Schnurr described the registry as a turning point.

"Today, Zambia transitions from a country of immense ecological potential to a nation with world-class climate governance," he said.

By reducing administrative barriers and preventing double counting, the registry is expected to make Zambia a more attractive destination for carbon finance investment.

Initially, it will support carbon projects developed under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

A second phase will expand the platform to include the Voluntary Carbon Market, enabling additional projects to register, report and monitor their performance.

The challenge now will be ensuring that carbon finance delivers tangible benefits for communities while maintaining high environmental standards.

Done well, the registry could become one of Zambia's most important climate governance tools—not only helping the country meet its emissions reduction commitments but also transforming its forests, wetlands and natural landscapes into engines of sustainable development.

In a world increasingly shaped by the green economy, Zambia is betting that environmental stewardship and economic opportunity can go hand in hand. The National Carbon Registry is the country's strongest signal yet that it intends to compete—and lead—in the global carbon market.