Beyond the Leaf: Zambia’s Tobacco Industry Eyes Value Addition and Sustainability

By Alain kabinda

For generations, tobacco farming has shaped livelihoods across rural Zambia. In districts where agricultural seasons determine household incomes and local economies, tobacco has long stood as more than a crop — it has been a source of employment, export earnings, and economic survival.

But as climate change intensifies, global markets shift, and international sustainability standards evolve, Zambia’s tobacco industry is confronting a defining question: how can it remain competitive while securing long-term growth?

That question took center stage at the 61st Annual Congress of the Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ) held in Lusaka, where government officials, producers, and industry stakeholders gathered to chart a future for one of Zambia’s most significant agricultural sectors.

Held under the theme “Building a Competitive and Sustainable Tobacco Industry in a Changing Global Market,” the congress became more than an annual meeting — it became a conversation about transformation.

Speaking During the official opening the congress, Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary (Technical Services), Mr. John A. Mulongoti, described tobacco as a strategic industry that continues to contribute significantly to national development through exports, employment creation, and support for rural communities.

He further stated that Zambia’s tobacco production has grown sharply — rising from approximately 30 million kilograms in 2022 to more than 100 million kilograms in 2025, signaling strong recovery and expansion within the sector.

Government officials and industry leaders at the congress emphasized that future success should no longer be measured only by production volumes but by how much value remains inside the country.

The conversation focused on processing, manufacturing, skills development, industrialization, and strengthening domestic participation across the tobacco value chain.

And Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ) President Mr. Sianga Musheke argued that Zambia’s competitive advantage will increasingly depend on reducing production costs, improving efficiency, and expanding investments beyond farm gates.

One proposal attracting attention is the development of a Public-Private Partnership One-Stop Tobacco Industry Park, envisioned as an integrated hub for processing, training, logistics, manufacturing, research, and export development. Industry stakeholders believe such investments could create jobs, attract capital, and strengthen Zambia’s industrial base.

The congress also highlighted discussions around the Popota Concept, an initiative aimed at broadening economic participation and stimulating rural industrialisation.

While competitiveness dominated discussions, climate change emerged as an equally urgent concern.

Farmers and policymakers acknowledged that changing rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, and growing environmental pressures are reshaping agricultural production.

Government outlined plans to prioritize irrigation development, climate-smart agriculture, water harvesting, sustainable land management, and environmental stewardship as part of broader agricultural transformation efforts.

Investment in irrigation, mechanisation, and climate adaptation technologies is increasingly viewed as necessary insurance against future shocks. Stakeholders stressed that maintaining yields while protecting natural resources will define the sector’s long-term sustainability.

Farmers argued that productivity improvements require investment capital that many producers still struggle to access.

TAZ proposed continued dialogue around innovative financing models, including ideas such as an Agriculture Development Fund to support investments in irrigation, mechanisation, and farm-level modernization.

Government signaled willingness to continue exploring mechanisms that improve access to productive financing across agriculture.

Stakeholders also welcomed the recent reduction of the tobacco levy from 2 percent to 1.5 percent, describing it as an example of how consultation between government and industry can improve competitiveness.

As global expectations evolve and agricultural industries face mounting pressure to adapt, Zambia’s tobacco sector appears to be repositioning itself.

It is about building an industry that is resilient to climate shocks, competitive in global markets, and capable of creating more value locally.

For farmers attending the congress, the message was clear: the future of tobacco in Zambia will depend on innovation, partnership, and the ability to transform agricultural growth into broader economic opportunity.

And as delegates concluded their discussions in Lusaka, one idea stood out — competitiveness in the future may no longer begin in the field alone, but in what happens after the harvest.

CLRI Urges National Unity Following South African Court Ruling on Former President Lungu

By Alain Kabinda 

LUSAKA, June 25, 2026 — The Continental Leadership Research Institute (CLRI) has called for peace, reconciliation, and national unity following a South African court ruling concerning matters related to Zambia’s late Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

In a statement issued on Thursday to Daily News, the governance and policy research institution commended the Zambian Government for its decision not to appeal the ruling, describing the move as a demonstration of respect for judicial independence and the rule of law.

The court decision comes at a sensitive time for Zambia as the nation continues to reflect on the legacy of the former Head of State, whose passing has attracted both national and international attention.

According to CLRI, the Government’s acceptance of the court’s verdict sends a strong signal about Zambia’s commitment to constitutional governance and democratic principles.

“We commend the Government of the Republic of Zambia for its decision not to appeal the ruling, a step that demonstrates respect for judicial processes and the rule of law,” the institute stated.

The organisation noted that respecting judicial decisions contributes to national stability, strengthens public confidence in legal institutions, and helps ease political tensions during periods of uncertainty.

Beyond the legal aspects of the matter, CLRI emphasized the need for Zambians to focus on unity and national cohesion. The institute urged political leaders, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, traditional leaders, and ordinary citizens to embrace dialogue and reconciliation.

Observers have noted that moments involving former national leaders often evoke strong emotions and differing political perspectives. However, CLRI believes the conclusion of the legal process should create an opportunity for the country to move forward together while honouring the former President’s contribution to national development.

The institute stressed that Zambia’s long-standing reputation for peace and stability should remain a guiding principle during the current period of reflection.

“Zambia’s enduring strength lies in its ability to remain peaceful and united despite political differences,” the statement said, urging stakeholders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and instead promote tolerance, understanding, and social cohesion.

CLRI further called on citizens to uphold the national motto, “One Zambia, One Nation,” describing it as a timeless value that continues to underpin the country’s democratic journey.

As discussions surrounding the legacy of Dr. Lungu continue, the institute maintained that national interests should take precedence over partisan considerations, adding that unity and mutual respect remain essential for the country’s progress.

The statement was issued by CLRI Executive Director Mundia Paul Hakoola in Lusaka.

 ZGF Calls for Community Ownership to Sustain Zambia's Development

By Alain Kabinda

As Zambia moves closer to another election cycle and national conversations intensify around development, governance, and public resource allocation, one civil society Zambia Governance Foundation is urging the country to look beyond projects and political promises toward a more sustainable model of community ownership.

Speaking to members of the media in Lusaka, the Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF) Chief Executive Officer Ms. Engwase Banda Mwale called for greater investment in community-led development systems, arguing that long-term progress depends not only on funding but also on strong local institutions capable of sustaining development long after projects and political terms have ended.

           ( Ms Engwase Banda Mwale)

Ms.  Mwale noted that Zambia has made important strides in recent years through initiatives such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), decentralization reforms, infrastructure expansion, and youth empowerment programmes. These efforts have brought development resources closer to local communities and increased opportunities for citizen participation.

However, ZGF cautioned that decentralising resources alone is not enough.

"Too often, communities experience development as something delivered to them rather than something they actively shape, design, and sustain," Ms. Mwale observed, also highlighting what it described as a growing paradox in Zambia's development landscape.

According to Ms. Mwale, while more resources are reaching communities than ever before, challenges remain in ensuring sustainability, local ownership, accountability, and active citizen participation. As a result, many developments gains risk becoming dependent on funding cycles or political transitions rather than being embedded within community structures.

For the past 17 years, ZGF has been promoting approaches centered on Community Foundations and local philanthropy. The organisation believes these models provide a practical pathway for communities to organize local resources, manage assets, and support development priorities based on local needs.

Over the last four years, with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, ZGF has worked with Community Foundations and community-led development structures in Chibombo, Serenje, and Chongwe districts. The experience, ZGF says, has reinforced a critical lesson: development cannot be sustained through projects alone.

"Projects are temporary by design. Institutions are permanent by intention," Ms. Mwale stated, emphasizing the need to build durable community institutions that can continue driving development beyond individual interventions.

Ms. Mwale also highlighted the largely untapped potential of local philanthropy. Across Zambia, communities already practice various forms of mutual support through savings groups, church contributions, cooperatives, and informal social networks. What remains missing, according to ZGF, is the institutional framework needed to coordinate and amplify these efforts into long-term development outcomes.

Community Foundations, Ms. Mwale argues, can fill this gap by creating transparent mechanisms through which individuals, businesses, diaspora communities, and other stakeholders can contribute resources toward locally determined priorities.

As political parties begin presenting competing visions ahead of the next general election, Ms. Mwale has warned against viewing development solely through an electoral lens. While election campaigns often focus on immediate needs and visible achievements, many of the country's most pressing challenges—including education, healthcare, livelihoods, climate resilience, and youth opportunities—require sustained effort over many years.

And speaking at the same media engagement Civi Society Organisation Development Manager Ms. Racheal Mwila said that the Foundation believes that development is most resilient when communities themselves are actively involved in planning, implementing, and overseeing initiatives.

Ms. Mwila added that ZGF envisions an integrated development ecosystem in which government, civil society, the private sector, and communities each play complementary roles. In this model, government provides public financing, civil society offers technical support, businesses contribute investment and corporate social responsibility initiatives, while communities participate through local mobilisation, oversight, and ownership.

Ms. Mwila further revealed plans to explore urban Community Foundation models in Lusaka, Livingstone, and the Copperbelt, where opportunities exist to mobilise corporate giving, diaspora contributions, and local philanthropy to support community priorities.

At the heart of ZGF's message is a simple but powerful principle: sustainable development is not something done for communities; it is something built with them and ultimately owned by them.

As Zambia prepares for another important electoral season, the Foundation's call serves as a reminder that while governments, policies, and projects may change over time, communities remain. And when equipped with strong institutions, trusted systems, and opportunities for participation, they become the true custodians of lasting development.

 (c) All rights Reserved. 

 Protecting Progress: Rights Advocates Push African Governments to Defend the Maputo Protocol

By Alain Kabinda

As Africa races against time to achieve gender equality and improved health outcomes by 2030, a growing coalition of human rights advocates, legal experts, and health leaders is sounding the alarm over what they describe as a dangerous threat to decades of progress for women and girls across the continent.

At the center of the debate is a proposed African Charter on Family Sovereignty and Values, a draft document that critics say could weaken established protections for women's rights, sexual and reproductive health rights, and gender equality enshrined in the Maputo Protocol.

During a recent global dialogue hosted by the Global Centre for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI), the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), and several international partners, experts called on African governments to reject the proposed charter and reaffirm their commitment to the Maputo Protocol, one of Africa's most significant human rights instruments.

For many advocates, the issue goes beyond legal language. It is about the future of millions of women and girls whose access to education, healthcare, protection from violence, and reproductive rights could be affected by decisions made today.

A Landmark African Achievement Under Pressure Adopted by the African Union in 2003, the Maputo Protocol is widely regarded as one of the most progressive human rights treaties on the continent. Ratified by 46 African Union member states, the protocol provides comprehensive protections for women and girls, including safeguards against discrimination, harmful cultural practices, gender-based violence, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation.

The treaty also guarantees women's rights to health, including sexual and reproductive health services.

"It demonstrates that gender equality and women's rights are not foreign concepts imposed on Africa," said communications specialist Famia Nkansa. "African women activists, policymakers, legal experts, and governments played a central role in shaping the protocol."

Yet rights defenders fear that the proposed charter could undermine those achievements by introducing provisions that prioritize state sovereignty, traditional family structures, and cultural values over individual rights and protections.

And Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, described the draft charter as a direct challenge to progress achieved through decades of advocacy and legal reform.

"The regressive draft African Charter on Family Sovereignty and Values is yet another assault on sexual and reproductive health rights and justice, as well as bodily autonomy and human rights in general," she said.

According to Dr. Mofokeng, the draft charter encourages governments to withdraw from evidence-based agreements such as the Maputo Protocol and risks reversing gains made in advancing gender equality and reproductive health across Africa.

She also warned that amid growing global resistance to gender equality and reproductive rights, African governments must resist efforts that seek to weaken established protections.

"Gender justice and human rights to health are not negotiable. They are essential foundations for human development, sustainable peace, and security," she said.

Meanwhile speaking at the same dialogue forum Ms. Sibongile Ndashe, Executive Director of the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA), noted that the draft recognizes family primarily through heterosexual marriage and biological parenthood.

She argued that such a definition could exclude many family structures and create barriers to access services and legal protections.

"The practical implications are profound because family recognition determines access to inheritance, housing, custody, social protection, and legal recognition before the state," Ndashe explained.

She further cautioned that placing family cohesion above individual rights could leave women, children, and vulnerable groups with fewer protections when family structures themselves become sites of abuse, discrimination, or unequal power relations.

Other legal analysts have raised concerns that the draft charter limits recognition of gender diversity and rejects comprehensive sexuality education, which public health experts have linked to improved health outcomes, lower rates of HIV transmission, reduced unintended pregnancies, and lower levels of gender-based violence.

The debate unfolding in Africa mirrors broader global tensions around gender equality and reproductive rights.

Experts say anti-rights movements have gained momentum in various regions, challenging advances in women's rights, sexual and reproductive health, and protections for marginalized communities.

Dr. Pam Rajput, Professor Emeritus at Panjab University in India, warned that setbacks in one region can influence developments elsewhere.

"Patriarchy is transnational and so are anti-rights movements," she said. "The question is not only what this means for Africa but what it means for the future of women's rights everywhere."

She emphasized that human rights cannot be selectively applied based on geography, politics, or cultural interpretation.

The urgency of the debate is heightened by the approaching deadline for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With only 54 months remaining before the 2030 target, advocates say the world is already off track in achieving both SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Instead of accelerating progress, many fear that efforts to weaken existing rights frameworks could slow progress even further.

For supporters of the Maputo Protocol, defending the treaty is not merely about preserving legal commitments—it is about protecting real lives.

Behind every policy debate is a girl seeking education, a woman seeking healthcare, a survivor seeking justice, and communities striving for equality and dignity.

As African governments consider the future of the proposed charter, rights advocates are delivering a clear message: progress achieved through decades of struggle should not be reversed.

For them, the Maputo Protocol remains more than a treaty. It is a symbol of Africa's commitment to gender equality, human dignity, and the right to health for all.

And as the continent confronts new challenges and competing visions for its future, many believe that protecting those gains has never been more important.

 (c) All Copyrights Reserved. 

 One in Three Girls Married Too Early: Zambia Urged to Strengthen Community Action

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — At a National Consultation held in Lusaka on June 19, 2026, one message echoed through the meeting hall with urgency and conviction: “The time to act is now.”

Those words, delivered by Dr. Malizgani Paul Chavula, lecturer and researcher in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the University of Zambia, captured the central challenge facing the country’s efforts to protect girls and end child marriage.

                                                         (Dr. Malizgani Paul Chavula)

The consultation, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Government of Zambia, brought together government officials, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and development partners to discuss Life Skills and Health Education, legal reforms, and practical strategies to eliminate child marriage.

In Zambia, “one in three girls is married during adolescence”—a statistic that continues to affect health outcomes, educational attainment, and economic opportunities for young women.

Early pregnancies increase health risks for adolescent girls. School dropout limits future employment opportunities. Social stigma and emotional distress affect mental wellbeing. Poverty deepens as families and communities struggle to break intergenerational cycles of vulnerability.

While Zambia has developed policies and frameworks intended to address child marriage and support adolescent wellbeing, Dr. Chavula cautioned that policy alone cannot transform communities.

“Government interventions are important, but they cannot reach every village or dismantle harmful cultural norms without community ownership,” he said.

Rather than creating entirely new systems, Dr. Chavula called for strengthening and connecting structures that already exist.

He proposed a collaborative approach that links government departments, police Victim Support Units, health facilities, schools, and social welfare services with traditional and religious leadership structures.

According to him, communities themselves hold the power to accelerate change.

“Community leaders carry cultural authority and trust,” Dr. Chavula said. “Their involvement ensures that protective messages are accepted and acted upon immediately.”

His message reflected growing evidence that sustainable social change depends not only on legislation but also on local participation.

At community level, the approach outlined during the consultation focuses on prevention, early intervention, and stronger service delivery.

Religious and traditional leaders were encouraged to guide conversations during ceremonies, family gatherings, and community meetings to challenge harmful practices and support positive social norms.

Peer educators and community volunteers were identified as critical actors who can recognize risks early, intervene before marriages occur, and connect vulnerable girls to healthcare, counseling, education support, and empowerment opportunities.

Local police structures were also highlighted as essential partners in ensuring child protection measures reach communities.

“Local police must coordinate with communities to track cases and ensure service delivery from district to village,” Dr. Chavula said.

He emphasized that protecting children must become a shared responsibility embedded within community life.

The consultation concluded with a clear message: Zambia does not necessarily require more resources to accelerate progress—but stronger collaboration, coordinated service delivery, and meaningful community engagement.

Participants agreed that ending child marriage cannot be achieved by government alone.

It requires families, schools, churches, traditional leaders, health workers, civil society organizations, and young people themselves to work together.

As discussions closed, Dr. Chavula’s words remained central to the conversation.

Ending child marriage, he said, is not merely a policy objective—it is a national responsibility requiring immediate and collective action.

For Zambia, the challenge now is turning commitment into measurable change for the girls whose futures depend on it.

Airtel Zambia Makes US$1 Billion Market Capitalization

 Airtel Zambia Makes US$1 Billion Market Capitalization

By Alain Kabinda

Speaking at Airtel Zambia Celebration Airtel Zambia Managing Director Mr. Hussam Baday stated that this achievement of a US$1 billion market capitalization is more than a financial milestone; it is a reflection of the trust and confidence that millions of Zambians place in Airtel every day.

“This success belongs to our customers, whose loyalty, belief in our brand, and continued use of our services have made this growth possible,” Mr. Baday said.

Mr. Baday further highlighted that over the years, Airtel Zambia has remained focused on disciplined execution, strategic investment, and innovation. The company has invested more than US$107 million in network expansion, rolling out over 4,100 4G and 5G sites across the country. These investments are aimed at connecting communities, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that no Zambian is left behind in the digital era.

Mr. Baday also added that Beyond connectivity, Airtel remains committed to social impact through investments in education, internet connectivity for schools, and digital inclusion initiatives that empower young people and communities.

“Innovation continues to be a key driver of growth, with the company focusing on accessible digital and financial services that simplify lives and support businesses,” said Mr. Baday.

He further noted that Airtel Zambia's market value has increased more than fivefold over the past two years, rising from approximately US$182 million to over US$1 billion. This growth reflects both the company's strong performance and the improvement in Zambia's macroeconomic environment, including lower inflation and increased investor confidence.

Mr. Baday said Airtel Zambia will continue investing in network expansion, particularly in underserved areas, while strengthening digital and financial services and enhancing customer experience. The company remains committed to supporting Zambia's digital transformation journey.

And speaking at the same ceremony Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) Head of legal Ms. Namunyuka Jere said, the crossing of the US$1 billion market capitalization# threshold by Airtel Zambia is a historic achievement not only for the company but also for Zambia's capital markets. Airtel Zambia becomes only the fourth company in LuSE's history to reach this milestone.

This achievement reflects years of strategic investment, sound management, and strong shareholder confidence. More importantly, it signals growing regional and international confidence in Zambia as an investment destination and demonstrates that Zambia's capital markets are maturing and creating real value.

Ms. Jere said that this milestone strengthens the case for more Zambian businesses to consider listing on the stock exchange as a platform for growth, accountability, and capital raising.

Airtel Zambia was commended for its commitment to transparency, good corporate governance, and long-term value creation.

She also recognized the role played by shareholders, both institutional and retail investors, whose investments contributed to the company's growth. The exchange reaffirmed its commitment to deepening Zambia's capital markets through new listings, improved digital access, and expanded investor education.

Meanwhile Ministry of Science and Technology Permanent Secretary Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu congratulated #Airtel Zambia for achieving a US$1 billion market capitalization, describing the milestone as significant not only for the company but also for Zambia's ICT sector, capital markets, and economy.

The achievement was linked to the government's ongoing economic reforms, which have improved macroeconomic stability, strengthened investor confidence, and created an enabling environment for private sector growth.

Dr. Habeenzu highlighted the importance of collaboration between government and industry through policy dialogue platforms that help remove barriers to growth such as Increased ability to attract investment for ICT infrastructure expansion, #Growth in quality employment opportunities within the ICT sector, Expansion of financial inclusion through mobile financial services, increased digital connectivity across the country and also Enhanced investor confidence in Zambia's economy and ICT sector.

Mr. Habeenzu further noted that internet penetration has grown significantly in recent years and that the ICT sector continues to play an increasingly important role in national economic development.

The achievement was described as Zambia's emergence onto the global stage of billion-dollar enterprises, demonstrating that the country's ICT sector is innovative, competitive, and capable of attracting significant investment.

The US$1 billion market capitalization milestone achieved by Airtel Zambia represents a landmark moment for the company, Zambia's capital markets, and the national economy. It reflects strong customer trust, successful corporate strategy,# increasing investor confidence, and a supportive economic environment. Stakeholders across government, the private sector, and the investment community view this achievement as a foundation for continued growth, innovation, and digital transformation in Zambia.

(c) All Copyrights Reserved.

 From Exchange Gains to Business Growth: How the Kwacha Is Changing Zambia’s Market”

By Alain Kabinda

Zambia’s strengthening currency is creating renewed optimism among businesses, with economists and market players pointing to growing opportunities for importers, retailers, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the Kwacha gains value against the United States dollar.

Recent market analysis shows that the Kwacha has appreciated from approximately K22.19 to around K17.88 per US dollar, representing a gain of nearly 20 percent over the period under review.

Speaking to Daily News in a phone interview, Business Development and Marketing Expert and Co-Founder of CNC360 Consulting, Mr. James Chiwala, stated that the development reflects a combination of economic interventions and stronger foreign exchange inflows into the economy.

                                                                    (Mr. James Chiwala)

Mr. Chiwala also said that among the factors cited are improved earnings from Zambia’s mining sector, particularly higher international copper prices, alongside monetary interventions aimed at stabilizing currency markets and managing inflation.

For businesses that rely heavily on imported goods and services, the stronger Kwacha is beginning to reshape cost structures.

He added that Importers of machinery, industrial equipment, vehicles, electrical appliances, construction materials, clothing, footwear, and production inputs now require fewer Kwacha to purchase the same amount of foreign goods.

“This shift could create room for businesses to lower operational costs, expand inventories, and improve profitability,” Mr. Chiwala said.

For SMEs, which often operate with tight margins and limited capital, exchange rate stability offers an opportunity to recover from periods of high import costs and currency volatility.

Lower costs of importing equipment and raw materials could enable small businesses to reinvest savings into expansion, innovation, and job creation.

Mr. Chiwala noted that sectors such as retail, manufacturing, agriculture, transport, and construction stand to benefit significantly if the trend continues.

Vehicle importers and dealerships may also see improved purchasing power, potentially influencing the affordability of selected vehicle categories in the local market.

At the consumer level, expectations are rising that stronger currency performance could eventually ease pressure on prices. Although exchange rate improvements do not immediately translate into lower retail costs, sustained appreciation can gradually reduce import-driven inflation.

“Products already entering the country at lower exchange costs may become cheaper over time if businesses pass savings to consumers,” Mr. Chiwala said.

Mr. Chiwala also warned that exchange gains alone cannot solve broader structural economic challenges.

“Businesses are being encouraged to use the period of currency strength strategically rather than viewing it as a permanent condition. Investment in local manufacturing, productivity improvements, supply chain efficiency, and reduced import dependency remain critical for long-term resilience,” Mr. Chiwala said.

Mr. Chiwala further noted that maintaining currency stability will require continued coordination between monetary policy, export growth, investor confidence, and broader economic reforms.

For Zambia’s business community, the stronger Kwacha represents more than an exchange rate story—it is emerging as a test of whether lower import costs can translate into greater investment, competitive pricing, and stronger economic growth.

As companies adjust to changing market conditions, many will be watching closely to see whether today’s currency gains become tomorrow’s business expansion and consumer relief.

(c) All Rights Reserved.