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.