AGP Executive Report

Wetlands Restoration: Zambia’s Kafue Flats Restoration Partnership has launched a $9m GEF 8 project to revive the wetland and protect livelihoods as climate stress, declining fish stocks, fires and invasive species strain the ecosystem. Energy & Policy: A push for nuclear energy capacity is gaining traction across the region as leaders argue it’s needed to power industrialisation and stabilise supply amid hydro variability. Housing Finance: Government and ZNBS launched the “Bondi Yanga” housing finance campaign to improve access to affordable home loans, targeting Zambia’s estimated 1.5m housing deficit. Copperbelt Industry: ZCCM-IH and Wonderful Group sealed a US$30m lime and cement joint venture in Ndola, starting with a 600tpd lime plant in 2026 to restart manufacturing activity. Mining & Exploration: Atomic Eagle advanced uranium drill targeting at Muntanga North after completing over half of a ground radiometric survey, refining near-term drill sites. Trade & Inflation: Zambia posted a K3.5bn April trade surplus as inflation eased to 6.6% in May, while the IMF warns fiscal pressure is rising ahead of August elections. Governance & Integrity: ECZ dismissed social media claims of plans to disqualify Mundubile and Zulu, while ACC arrested fisheries officials over K8.8m corruption linked to SLIMP.

Electoral Integrity: Zambia’s Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has dismissed as false and malicious claims that it plans to disqualify presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu, warning the public against social media misinformation. Mining & Industry Revival: ZCCM-IH and Wonderful Group sealed a US$30m joint venture to revive Ndola lime and cement production, starting with a 600 tonnes/day lime plant in three phases to restart industrial activity on the Copperbelt. Energy & Power Access: Anzana Electric secured a US$20m senior debt facility from BII to build run-of-river hydropower projects across Africa, with the first project in Zambia and plans to unlock 10MW of distributed baseload by 2030. Agribusiness & Exports: Zambia forecasts a record 4.9m metric tonnes maize harvest, while China signals interest in buying up to 3m tonnes of Zambian soybeans—pushing value-chain support and production scaling. Digital Transformation: Smart Zambia and Huawei signed an MoU for a National AI Data Centre and training of 5,000 ICT professionals by 2028, aimed at accelerating AI-enabled public services. Critical Minerals Strategy: Government says Zambia will strengthen its critical minerals strategy (2024–2028) with value addition, responsible mining, and better geological mapping to move from extraction to industrialisation. Uranium Exploration: Atomic Eagle reports refined uranium drill targets at Muntanga North after completing over half of a ground radiometric survey, narrowing near-term drilling focus.

Critical Minerals & Mining Justice: Church leaders and activists meeting in Botswana urged stronger protections for communities affected by mining, calling for better environmental accountability, protection of customary land rights, and informed consent before projects start. Renewable Energy Push: A wider shift across Africa is moving from coal and large dams toward solar, wind and battery storage, with Zambia cited in a $1.5bn China-backed energy deal covering solar, wind and coal-fired generation. Smart Tech & Skills: Smart Zambia and Huawei signed an MoU for a National AI Data Centre and training for 5,000 ICT professionals by 2028, aiming to speed up AI-powered public services. Ndola Lime Revival: ZCCM-IH and Wonderful Group launched a $30m joint venture to restart Ndola lime and cement production in phases, starting with a 600 tonnes/day lime plant. Energy Supply Boost: NRDC commissioned a 22MW solar plant under the Presidential Solar Initiative, adding power to the national grid and supporting agriculture training and agro-processing. Critical Minerals Strategy: Zambia will strengthen its national critical minerals strategy (2024–2028) through value addition, responsible mining, and improved geological mapping to guide investment. Maize Forecast: Zambia projects a record 4.9m metric tonnes of maize for 2025/26, supporting food security and potential regional exports. ECZ Pushback: The Electoral Commission of Zambia rejected PF claims of a plot to disqualify presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu. Counterfeit Crackdown: Police in Kasama arrested suspects over counterfeit Kwacha notes, recovering K33,500 in suspected fake currency.

Critical Minerals & Midstream Capacity: India is pushing to secure overseas processing for lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese, but its “midstream” bottleneck remains—most projects are still early, with financing and technology gaps slowing refined-material ecosystems. Energy Shock & Inflation: A US-Iran war spillover could keep oil prices high, feeding inflation and forcing tighter monetary policy in emerging markets—an extra strain for energy-importing economies. Ukraine–Africa Diplomacy: Ukraine says it will open an embassy in Zambia and a consulate in Cape Town, aiming to beat pre-war Africa trade of $6.7bn while offering food security, defense tech and digital public-service support. Zambia Politics & Football: FAZ appoints Charles Chakatazya as new General Secretary, while Zambia’s election debate stays heated as commentators argue the race is again narrowing to Hichilema vs PF-linked politics. Agriculture: Zambia is projected to harvest about 4.94m tonnes of maize—near a record—after two seasons of recovery. Health & Risk: Ebola concerns persist in western Uganda/DRC as spillover risks from human-bat contact highlight preparedness gaps. Renewables Push: Across Africa, solar, wind and storage are overtaking slower power builds, even as some grids still struggle with reliability.

Climate Resilience Push: Zambia, WFP and the UK Met Office launched a $3.6m Systematic Observations Financing Facility to upgrade weather monitoring and strengthen early warnings for droughts and floods. Agriculture Outlook: Zambia projects 4.9m metric tonnes of maize for 2025/26, up from 3.8m last season, after another recovery year. Trade Finance Boost: The AfDB approved a $20m trade finance guarantee for Access Bank Zambia, aiming to unlock up to $240m in trade volumes for SMEs. Mining Governance Shift: ZCCM-IH is pivoting toward royalty-based income and seeking higher stakes in major copper mines as Zambia targets 3m tonnes of copper by 2031. Health & Diagnostics: CIDRZ presented clinical validation of a disposable plasma separator for HIV viral load testing—designed to work without centrifuges. Politics Watch: Africa Freedom Day messaging underlined a tightening August 13 election race, with HH still seen as the front-runner but pressure rising.

Mining Governance Shift: ZCCM-IH is pivoting toward royalty-based income and wants bigger stakes in major copper mines, aiming for steadier cash flow as Zambia targets 3 million tonnes of copper by 2031. Election Pressure: Katele Kalumba says HH is still favourite, but the cost-of-living squeeze and the gap between national economic claims and daily household pain are tightening the race ahead of August 13. Business Pulse: Zeda reports improved first-half results as leasing grows and car sales rise, though car rental remains under pressure from price sensitivity. Telecom & Regulation: Starlink’s Uganda licence is sparking a telecom scramble—MTN and Airtel are moving to integrate satellite connectivity, with questions around taxation and security handled through a local gateway. Regional Risk Watch: Ebola in DR Congo is worsening, and Africa CDC flags Zambia among countries at high risk of spread. Health & Innovation: Zambia is set to be represented at Ghana’s Health Innovation Festival (June 4–6), backing homegrown solutions as El Niño warnings loom.

Africa Freedom Day in Lusaka: President Hakainde Hichilema marked May 25 with wreath-laying at the Freedom Statue and pardons for 1,505 inmates—708 released and 797 commuted—while urging families to welcome returnees. Opposition Unity Push: Zambian opposition leader Judith Kabemba used the same day to call for unity and to reject tribalism ahead of elections. Energy Market Finance: Sanlam Alternative Investments bought a 10% stake in renewable power trader Africa GreenCo for $10m, betting that Africa needs bankable trading infrastructure to scale clean power. AfCFTA Implementation Drive: AfCFTA named Rendeavour its inaugural implementation partner to push Special Economic Zones and trade corridors, as business leaders press for action beyond policy. Health Pressure in the Region: Africa CDC says 10 countries are at risk of Ebola spread after DR Congo’s outbreak worsened, with Zambia listed among the exposed. Mining & Jobs Context: First Quantum reported $3.46bn economic contribution to Zambia in 2025, highlighting taxes, jobs and local procurement.

Conservation & carbon finance debate: Ex-Gabon environment minister Lee White argues the Congo Basin should be treated like “critical national infrastructure,” blaming weak governance—not mining—for environmental damage, and criticising carbon finance for broken pledges to pay forest protectors. Zambia’s economy & politics: NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile says there’s “no evidence” the economy improved under UPND, pointing to three years of power shortages, while Tonse Pamodzi campaign organisers push grassroots mobilisation for the Mundubile–Makebi Zulu ticket. Africa Freedom Day in Lusaka: President Hichilema marked Africa Freedom Day with wreath laying and released/commuted sentences for 1,505 inmates to ease overcrowding. Mining & jobs spotlight: First Quantum says it contributed $3.46bn to Zambia’s economy in 2025, including $902m in taxes and major local procurement. Health & regional risk: Africa CDC warns Zambia and nine other countries are at risk of Ebola spread as DRC/ Uganda outbreaks trigger new preparedness and funding calls. Regional business links: Malawi and Zambia agree to deepen tourism cooperation via a joint technical committee.

Election Strategy: Tonse Pamodzi figure Munir Zulu says the opposition can still win August 2026 by securing 75% of votes in just five provinces, urging supporters to stop mourning “unopposed” seats and focus on turnout where they can win. Campaign Climate: Other political voices are calling for calm, issue-based campaigning, while analysts warn the race is getting tougher in key battlegrounds like Lusaka and the Copperbelt. Health Alert: Africa CDC has flagged Zambia among 10 countries at risk of Ebola spread following outbreaks in DR Congo and Uganda, as WHO and partners push a major regional response push. Food Security Pressure: Southern Africa’s hunger emergency is framed as more than seasonal drought—linked to collapsing climate resilience and weak protection systems. Investment & Industry: Zambia’s commerce ministry reiterates it is “open for business” and highlights small agribusiness investment impacts, while across the region investors are backing renewable power trading platforms as the next growth frontier.

Energy Finance: Sanlam Alternative Investments has put $10m into GreenCo for a 10% stake, betting that renewable power trading and offtake platforms are now “bankable” enough to pull in big institutional money across Southern Africa. Ebola Watch: Africa CDC has flagged Zambia among 10 countries at risk as Ebola spreads in DR Congo and Uganda, with cross-border coordination and emergency preparedness now the focus. Election Heat: Political filings and claims are intensifying ahead of August 2026—Lusaka and the Copperbelt are being named as key battlegrounds, while opposition figures trade accusations over nominations, intimidation, and unopposed seats. Mining Momentum: Konkola Copper Mines has reopened Chingola B Mine after 18 years, targeting 200,000+ tonnes of ore per month as Zambia pushes toward higher copper output. Ports & Trade: Zambia is planning an upgrade for Mpulungu Port to lift cargo capacity and strengthen Great Lakes trade links.

Ebola Preparedness: Africa CDC warns 10 countries—including Kenya and Zambia—are at high risk as Ebola outbreaks in DRC and Uganda continue, citing delayed detection and symptoms masked by malaria. Election Chaos: Zambia’s Tonse Alliance says nominations were mishandled, leaving dozens of parliamentary, council chairperson and ward races unopposed, while political filings keep reshaping the August 13 contest. UPND Nomination Push: Hakainde Hichilema has filed for a second term, with Mutale Nalumango as running mate, as supporters flood Mulungushi ahead of the ECZ process. Regional Economic Independence: SADC leaders urge faster integration to survive global shocks, with Lesotho stressing fuel-price pain and the need for shared resilience. Mining Momentum: KCM reopens Chingola B Mine after 18 years, targeting major ore output and tying it to Zambia’s 3-million-ton copper goal. Trade & Transport: Zambia plans to upgrade Mpulungu Port to boost cargo capacity and strengthen Great Lakes corridors.

Election Momentum: President Hakainde Hichilema has filed his nomination papers for a second term, with the ECZ confirming his ticket as valid and Vice President Mutale Nalumango named running mate—his pitch is performance delivery, from debt restructuring and kwacha stability to free education and expanded CDF. Political Heat: The same nomination week also saw Ackim Njobvu enter the presidential race with Miriam Banda as running mate, adding to a crowded ballot and sharpening the contest ahead of 13 August. Mining & Industry: Konkola Copper Mines has reopened Chingola B Mine after 18 years, targeting 200,000+ tonnes of ore per month and tying the restart to Zambia’s 3 million tonnes copper goal by 2031. Trade & Infrastructure: Zambia is set to upgrade Mpulungu Port to lift cargo capacity and strengthen Great Lakes trade links, with a possible rail connection to the TAZARA line also on the table. Regional Watch: Ebola fears are prompting corridor operators to stay alert while transport activity continues.

Presidential Nomination Drama: Lusaka’s Mulungushi grounds turned into a full-scale rally as President Hakainde Hichilema nears the filing of his nomination papers, with a “sea of red” crowd, tightened security, and chants turning procedure into political theatre. Mining Revival: Konkola Copper Mines has reopened the Chingola “B” Mine after 18 years, targeting over 200,000 tonnes of ore per month and tying the restart to Zambia’s push toward 3 million tonnes of copper by 2031. Energy & Regulation Push: The Energy Regulation Board approved 42 licences and five construction permits, pledging K608 million for electricity, renewables, and downstream petroleum infrastructure. Trade & Transport Momentum: Mpulungu Port is set for an upgrade to lift cargo handling from 200,000 to about 800,000 tonnes annually, with a possible rail link to the TAZARA corridor. Public Health & Consumer Safety: Zambia prepares to vaccinate over 3 million children in a June polio push, while ZCSA urges shoppers to buy only from trusted outlets and report expired or suspicious products.

Polio Response: Zambia’s ZNPHI is gearing up to vaccinate more than 3 million children starting 2 June, targeting six provinces after poliovirus was detected in Lusaka in February—vaccines and materials are already moving into districts. Mining Revival: Konkola Copper Mines has reopened the Chingola “B” Mine after 18 years, projecting over 200,000 tonnes of ore per month as Zambia pushes to lift copper output toward 3 million tonnes by 2031. Energy Build-Out: The Energy Regulation Board approved 42 licences, five construction permits and amendments worth K608 million, including new electricity, solar and downstream petroleum infrastructure. Debt Watch: The Centre for Trade Policy and Development warns that financing part of the 2026 supplementary budget through domestic borrowing could deepen Zambia’s debt-service pressure. Jobs & Refining: Zambia Development Agency and ZPEC signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement for a $500m+ Ndola oil refinery, with construction already underway and thousands of jobs expected. Regional Context: South Africa’s Eskom is now a net electricity exporter as load-shedding eases, while AfCFTA has named Rendeavour as its first implementation partner for industrial zones and trade corridors.

Mining & FX Boost: The Bank of Zambia says the kwacha’s near-15% rise in Q1 2026 was driven by stronger mining inflows, with mining tax remittances and foreign financial institutions adding liquidity. Energy Investment: Zambia Development Agency and ZPEC have signed a $500m+ protection deal to push a Ndola refinery project, expected to create 3,500+ jobs and complete by end-2028. Road Financing Shift: Government is turning to bonds to fund major road works, targeting key trunk corridors and upgrades. Healthcare Upgrade: Lusaka Trust Hospital has been commissioned after expansions including endoscopy and a dialysis unit, aimed at cutting costly referrals. Regional Integration Push: AUDA-NEPAD and AU officials are calling for faster Africa-wide economic integration, warning slow progress is hurting trade and development. Logistics Expansion: Kaleido Logistics has integrated IFS South Africa to strengthen corridor coverage across Southern Africa. Jobs & Industry: Ndola Refinery and other projects are again putting employment at the centre of Zambia’s investment drive.

Capital Markets Push: A new analysis argues Africa’s pension and savings pools are finally being nudged toward productive use, not just government securities—an idea that could unlock roads, factories, data centres and housing. SOE Reform Watch: Tanzania is looking to China’s state-owned enterprise reform playbook to improve returns and accountability in public investments. COMESA–EU Reset: COMESA and the EU met in Lusaka to strengthen cooperation on trade corridors, economic transformation, peace and stability, and sustainable development. Fuel Shock & Living Costs: Across Africa, surging oil prices are squeezing transport, food and power bills, driving public anger and higher inflation. Zambia Food Security: Zambia is projected to hit a record maize harvest above 4.1 million tons, easing pressure on prices—though it may also strain the budget as the FRA steps up purchases. Health & Lung Screening: Zambia is co-hosting global discussions on lung health screening and TB elimination, with India highlighting “TB-Mukt Bharat” and early detection. Regional Corridors: The Lobito Corridor push continues to reshape logistics choices across the region, with knock-on pressure on competing ports.