Mutolankani

13/05/2026

The Bank of Zambia has reduced the Monetary Policy Rate from 13.5 percent in the first quarter of 2026 to 13.25 percent for the second quarter of 2026

13/05/2026

Zambia Records Positive Progress in the Mining Sector During First Quarter of 2026
This morning, Minister of Mines and Mineral Development Hon. Paul Kabuswe MP held a press briefing to inform the public on the progress made in the first quarter of 2026.
Below are the highlights:
✅ Indicated that the mining sector recorded encouraging performance in the first quarter of 2026, driven by increased investor confidence, mine recapitalization, expansion projects, and Government reforms.
✅ Stressed that Government continues to promote diversification in mining by encouraging investment in gold, manganese, cobalt, nickel, lithium, gemstones, and other critical minerals.
✅ Announced that Copper production declined by 4.27% from 218,308.2 metric tonnes in Q1 2025 to 208,992.66 metric tonnes in Q1 2026.
✅ further, despite the overall decline, large-scale mines increased copper production by 1.8%, showing resilience and improved operational performance.
✅ further more, the Minister indicated that Gold production increased by 13.2%, while cobalt production rose by 9.15%.
✅ Nickel production recorded major growth of 142.75%, indicating increased activity in the sector.
✅ Emerald production increased significantly by 241.41%, reflecting strong performance in the gemstone industry.
✅ Coal production rose by 36.32%, while cement production increased by 8.31%.
✅ Kansanshi Mine recorded a 4.25% decline in copper production due to lower ore grades.
✅ Lumwana Mine increased copper production by 19.2% because of improved mining capacity and operational efficiencies.
✅ Mopani Mine increased production by 4.39%, while Konkola Mine recorded a strong 22.02% increase in copper output.
✅ NFCA production declined by 10.51% due to phased recovery after care and maintenance operations.
✅ Small-scale copper production dropped by 56.04%, mainly because of poor compliance in submitting production reports.
✅ The Minister said that Government will strengthen monitoring and reporting systems in the small-scale mining subsector.
✅ Ferro-silicon manganese production declined by 4.09% due to continued power supply challenges.
✅ Stated that no mining licenses were issued in the first quarter of 2026 because the Minerals Regulation Commission Board had not yet been constituted.
✅ Revealead that Government has now appointed the inaugural Board of the Minerals Regulation Commission on 6th May 2026 to address the licensing backlog.
✅ Assured the nation that all pending mining applications will be processed transparently and efficiently.
✅ Noted that the the Local Content Access System (LOCAS) was operationalized in Q1 2026 to improve implementation and monitoring of local content regulations.
✅ The Countrywide High-Resolution Aerial Geophysical Survey reached 73% national coverage by 11th May 2026.
✅ He said Government expects the aerial survey project to possibly finish earlier than planned, potentially by August 2026.
✅ Zambia Gold Company (ZamGold) purchased 3.65kg of gold from artisanal miners, an 84.36% increase from Q1 2025.
✅ Stressed that Government injected over ZMW 8.5 million directly into the artisanal gold mining subsector.
✅ 237 artisanal mining cooperatives in Southern Province were trained in safe mining methods and environmental management.
✅ The Minister reaffirmed Government’s icommitment to fighting illegal mining activities across the country.
✅ Government aims to see mining sector growth translate into jobs, infrastructure development, increased revenue and improved livelihoods for Zambians.

13/05/2026

FDD Provincial Leaders Protest Alleged Marginalisation in Tonse Alliance

Provincial leaders of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) have expressed strong dissatisfaction with what they describe as continued sidelining and lack of consultation within the Tonse Alliance, particularly in relation to the BM8 team.

Speaking on behalf of provincial structures across the country, FDD Copperbelt Provincial Chairperson Smart Lungu said party officials at provincial level were frustrated by what they termed unilateral decision-making on critical alliance matters.

Mr Lungu said provincial leaders were concerned that important decisions were allegedly being made without consulting grassroots structures and ordinary party members.

“We are tired of being ignored and sidelined on critical matters within the alliance,” he said.

He alleged that some alliance members appeared to be receiving preferential treatment, leaving long-serving FDD members feeling excluded from key processes.

Mr Lungu further raised concern over the adoption process for parliamentary, mayoral and councilor candidates, claiming that some members affiliated to the BM8 team were allegedly being assured of adoption positions before the alliance leadership formally concluded deliberations.

“As an SPV, it is expected that our colleagues from the BM8 team would consult us on major issues such as the adoption process, but it appears they already have everything figured out,” he said.

The provincial leadership has since called for a transparent, free and fair adoption process devoid of undue influence.

The officials also urged the FDD leadership to push for what they described as a “quota system” in the allocation of seats within the alliance to ensure equitable distribution among partner parties.

“No one partner in a partnership must be seen to enjoy the lion’s share in the allocation of parliamentary, mayoral and councilor positions,” Mr Lungu said.

The provincial leaders warned that they would not remain silent while what they termed as loyal and long-serving party members were allegedly being sidelined in favour of “political tourists.”

They further called for an immediate review of the party’s engagement with its Tonse Alliance partners, particularly the BM8 team, while reaffirming their support for FDD president Chifumu Banda.

04/05/2026

ZAMBIA, GUYANA DEEPEN BILATERAL TIES THROUGH STRATEGIC MEDIA AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION
On the sides of the World Press Freedom Day Conference, the Minister within the office of the Prime Minister in Guyana in South America Mr. Mccoy Kwame paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Hon.Cornelius Mweetwa MP
Below are the highlights:
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA HON.CORNELIUS MWEETWA
✅️ Reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana following a courtesy call by a high-level delegation from the South American nation.
✅️ Described the decision to establish an embassy in Guyana, as a critical step towards consolidating long-standing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
✅️ Noted that while Zambia and Guyana have enjoyed warm ties for many years, the opening of a Zambian mission in Guyana signals a shift towards deeper engagement, particularly in economic cooperation and knowledge exchange.
✅️ Zambia is keen to leverage its presence in Guyana to enhance trade, investment, and sectoral collaboration, including in the information and media space.
GUYANESE MINISTER
✅️ Conveyed greetings from President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two nations.
✅️ Commended Zambia for establishing an embassy in Guyana and emphasized the need for countries to increasingly rely on each other through shared best practices, especially in governance and economic development.
✅️ Said Guyana is committed to deepening and sustaining our relationship with Zambia for mutual benefit.
✅️ Further noted similarities in governance systems and operational frameworks between the two countries, particularly within the information sector, and expressed interest in expanding collaboration through exchange programmes and technical cooperation.
✅️ The two sides also discussed opportunities to learn from each other’s local content policies, with Zambia expressing interest in Guyana’s advanced framework that promotes greater participation of citizens in economic activities linked to foreign investment.
✅️ The meeting further revealed plans for broader inter-ministerial engagements, with Guyana indicating that Ministers responsible for Education, Home Affairs, and Labour are expected to visit Zambia in the near future to strengthen cooperation across sectors.
✅️Reiterated that the growing partnership between Zambia and Guyana reflects a shared vision of advancing economic growth, safeguarding sovereignty, and fostering mutually beneficial relations.
✅️ The courtesy call marks another milestone in Zambia’s foreign policy agenda aimed at expanding international partnerships and promoting sustainable development through strategic alliances.

04/05/2026

GOVT CONDEMN REMARKS MADE BY THE OUTGOING U.S AMBASSADOR
Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, held a press briefing outlining Government’s position over the remarks made by the outgoing US Ambassador
Highlights:
✅ Government has condemned remarks made by the outgoing United States Ambassador, describing them as a breach of diplomatic conduct and a misrepresentation of Zambia’s position.
✅ Stated that the Ambassador’s comments violated the spirit of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, particularly provisions that require diplomats to respect the laws of the host country and avoid interfering in internal affairs.
✅ Expressed concern that the issues raised by the envoy were not formally communicated through diplomatic channels, calling it a sign of disregard for established procedures.
✅ Clarified that Zambia’s relationship with the United States is not based on aid, but on mutual respect, shared values and strategic cooperation dating back to 1964.
✅ Stressed that the partnership has always been built on equality between the two nations.
✅ Dismissed claims that Zambia has been unresponsive, stating that the Ambassador was granted several high-level meetings, including with the President.
✅ Added that concerns raised had already been addressed through proper channels.
✅ Further explained that ongoing negotiations on a proposed health agreement have stalled due to clauses deemed unacceptable, particularly those relating to data sharing and privacy.
✅ Rejected pressure tied to a proposed Critical Minerals Agreement, insisting that Zambia will not accept terms that give preferential treatment to foreign companies.
✅ Emphasised that the country’s resources must benefit Zambians first and that all agreements must be considered independently.
✅ Highlighted increased funding to the health sector and a 30 percent budget rise, alongside broader economic gains.
✅ Reaffirmed Government’s commitment to sovereignty, warning that it will not accept narratives that undermine its institutions or leadership.
✅ Zambia remains open to constructive engagement with the United States and other partners, as long as relations are based on respect and non-interference.
✅ The Minister has since urged all diplomats to uphold professionalism and international standard

04/05/2026

18/04/2026

18/04/2026

ERB Approves 31 Licences, 16 Construction Permits and Inclusion to Licences valued at ZMW7.3 billion (USD 380 million)