AGP Executive Report

HIV & Mobility: IOM’s “HIV Knows No Borders” is working with mobile communities around Beitbridge to shift attitudes on HIV testing, sexual health and child protection, tackling stigma and risks tied to cross-border movement. Free Education Becomes Law: President Hakainde Hichilema has assented to the Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making free education a legal right so children can’t be denied schooling over fees. Health Students Hit by Funding Cuts: NSFAF rejections are leaving some medical and health students uncertain after funding was denied on “priority field” grounds. Women’s Football Buzz: Zambia’s Copper Queens won the Four Nations final 3-0 over Zimbabwe, with Prisca Chilufya scoring twice; Zambia’s Starlets also finished third after beating Lesotho 6-0 on the same tournament run-up to WAFCON. Traditional Leadership & Culture: Thousands gathered for Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV’s funeral, with Hichilema praising his unity-building and cultural service; meanwhile, Bemba customs are cited for why Fred M’membe won’t attend. Chess & Youth Sports: Chess Federation of Zambia launched the Chief Mukuni International Chess Championship in Livingstone (July 4–6) via a new partnership aimed at growing chess and sports tourism. Elections & Politics: Campaign debate continues around August polls, including calls for unity and fresh scrutiny of burial protocols tied to Edgar Lungu’s unresolved resting place.

Cultural Heritage & Tourism: Southern Province officials say Zambia’s cultural heritage is key to unity and economic growth, spotlighting Cuundu traditions through cuisine, dance and artifacts at the Fourth Provincial Cultural Arts Festival. Women’s Football (Four Nations): Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors set up a Zambia derby final after beating Lesotho 3-1, while Zambia edged Kenya on penalties; Copper Queens’ Prisca Chilufya is upbeat ahead of the friendly final as they fine-tune for WAFCON. Youth Leadership: Over 50 young leaders kicked off YPLS Africa’s 13th cohort in Liberia, pushing ethical governance and youth-led transformation. Ebola Preparedness: Vice President Mutale Nalumango says Zambia is on high alert, with lab testing and community awareness efforts underway after negative suspected-case results. Health & NCD Care: CIDRZ and the Ministry of Health reviewed progress in strengthening non-communicable disease care through the PEN Plus programme. Elections Watch: ECZ intensifies voter education to counter misinformation, especially around constituency delimitation and polling-station eligibility. Conservation & Coexistence: Electric fencing and “cluster farms” are helping elephants cross into safer rangelands while reducing crop raids in Zambia’s borderlands. Legal/Politics: The Dolika Banda eligibility debate continues to raise questions about how qualifications are interpreted and enforced.

Ebola Watch: Vice President Mutale Nalumango says Zambia is on high alert to stop Ebola spreading from the DRC, with lab testing already running and recent suspected-case tests coming back negative, while authorities are boosting public awareness with traditional and religious leaders and the media. Health Systems & NCD Care: CIDRZ and the Ministry of Health reviewed progress on strengthening non-communicable disease care through the PEN Plus Programme, highlighting better access to specialised treatment and renewed plans to scale prevention, diagnosis and awareness. Elections & Civic Info: The ECZ stepped up voter education ahead of the August 13 polls, warning citizens about misinformation on constituency delimitation and reminding voters their registration and polling stations remain valid. Campaign Mood: Tonse-Pamodzi presidential candidate Brian Mundubile says the election season feels unusually quiet because people and candidates have little money, calling for national unity and merit-based leadership. Defamation Case: Social media commentator Chellah Tukuta was served with a K10 million defamation demand letter over a Facebook post alleging a businessman benefited from government contracts. Sports & Talent: Jereem “The Dream” Richards won bronze in the 400m at the Wanda Diamond League in Stockholm, while Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga also featured in the race. Culture & Mourning: Zulu royal representatives led by Prince Thulani will travel to Zambia for the funeral of Ngoni King Mpezeni IV, underscoring cross-border cultural ties.

Elections & Democracy: A new analysis warns Zambia’s August 13 vote could be judged less by ballots and more by legal manoeuvring, as ECZ capacity and a crowded field of presidential candidates face a high-pressure test. Heritage & Tourism: The National Heritage Conservation Commission is pushing partnerships to boost heritage tourism while protecting Zambia’s natural and cultural assets. Ebola Preparedness: Vice President Mutale Nalumango says Zambia is on high alert, with lab testing and border measures in place and no confirmed Ebola cases reported so far. Teen Health Policy: A Ministry of Health official calls free teen maternity care “damage control,” arguing prevention and earlier action are still the bigger fix. Youth & Social Change: Young people are urged to use social media to advocate for child-marriage prevention and stronger policy action across the region. Sports (Women’s Football): Copper Queens and Super Falcons storylines dominate—Zambia’s Copper Queens reach the Four Nations final, while Nigeria’s Falcons step up intensity ahead of Senegal as WAFCON preparations heat up. Culture & Community: Tributes and burial arrangements for Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV highlight Ngoni customs, including where he will be laid to rest. Humanitarian Impact: Hunger Free World’s report spotlights how daily street meals in Zambia help connect people to rehab, healthcare, shelter and family support.

Women’s Football (Zambia): Zambia’s Copper Queens booked the Four Nations final in Ndola after edging Kenya 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw; Priscar Chilufya scored early for Zambia, Kenya equalised, and the shootout was clinched by Irene Lungu, Racheal Kundananji, Saliyah Mwanza and Ochumba Oseke, with Barbra Banda absent due to a hamstring strain. Women’s Football (Regional): Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors stormed into the final by beating Lesotho 3-1, setting up a Zambia–Zimbabwe showdown. Sports (Athletics): Zakithi Nene won the men’s 400m at the Stockholm Diamond League, with Sinesipho Dambile second in the 200m. Culture & Society: A theatre production, The Painted Kite, is using storytelling and music to tackle bullying in schools for ages 9–13. Traditional Affairs: Ngoni leaders say Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV will be buried at Ephendukeni Kraal, not the Feni royal grave site, while Lozi custom explains why the Litunga does not attend funerals in person. Policy & Daily Life: NAPSA’s biggest pension shake-up in 30 years introduces flexibility, including access to part of benefits via lump sum, plus higher minimum payouts.

Football Fever: The Copper Queens booked the Four Nations final in Ndola, edging Kenya 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Zambia set to face Zimbabwe after the Mighty Warriors beat Lesotho 3-1. Sports & Culture: In the same tournament, Kenya’s Starlets fell to Zambia in penalties, setting up a Lesotho clash as WAFCON prep heats up. Election Tension: Chawama remains politically charged a year after Edgar Lungu’s death, while campaign conduct in Chawama saw clashes, injuries, and arrests tied to the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance and UPND. Courtroom Drama: The Constitutional Court is weighing Dolika Banda’s eligibility as M’membe’s running mate, with ECZ arguing her qualification lacks Grade 12 equivalence due to missing English. NAPSA Shake-Up: Zambia’s pension reforms bring more flexibility, including potential lump-sum access, alongside higher minimum payouts. Tradition & Burial: Ngoni leaders say Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV will be buried at Ephendukeni Kraal, and Lozi custom explains why the Litunga does not attend funerals in person. Lifestyle & Wellbeing: A new global assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major public health risk, with many African countries among the worst affected.

Election Campaign & Unity Politics: NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile met aspiring candidates and a Southern Province mobilization team in Lusaka, urging Zambians to heal political, regional and tribal divisions ahead of the August 13 polls. Local Political Symbolism: In Chawama, Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu held a memorial church service and motorcade through Lungu’s political heartland, drawing a strong turnout and chants as the campaign enters a critical phase. Court Challenge on Candidate Eligibility: The Constitutional Court heard submissions over Dolika Banda’s qualifications, with ECZ saying her O-Level certificate lacks English Language needed for Grade 12 equivalence, while the AG urged invalidation of her nomination. Free Education & Pensions Law Impact: President Hichilema signed free education and pension reforms into law, with coverage highlighting more children returning to classrooms and higher minimum pension payouts. Sports (Copper Queens): Zambia’s Copper Queens reached the Four Nations final after beating Kenya on penalties, and will face Zimbabwe in the final. Culture & Music Spotlight: Rising Lusaka artist Grallae is profiled for blending Afrobeats/R&B with contemporary Zambian sounds and building a fan community around ambition and growth. Food & Humanitarian Lifestyle: Hunger Free World by Malabar Group spotlighted how daily street meals can open the door to rehabilitation support, shelter access and family reunification in Zambia and beyond.

Education & Pensions: President Hakainde Hichilema signed the Free Education and Pension Bills into law, locking in free schooling for millions and expanding support like school feeding, while ZCTU says the reforms will outlast the election cycle. Election Governance: ECZ chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis urged parties and stakeholders to study the new Electoral Process Amendment Act as Zambia moves to mixed-member proportional representation, and the commission launched a nationwide poll-staff recruitment drive. Courtroom Politics: The Constitutional Court is weighing a challenge to Socialist Party running mate Dolika Banda’s Grade 12-equivalence qualifications, with ECZ and the Examinations Council drawn into the dispute. Sports (Women’s Football): Zimbabwe named their Mighty Warriors starting XI for the Zambia Four Nations semi-final against Lesotho in Ndola, with the winner set to face Zambia or Kenya. Culture & Community: Zambia is urged to stay united as mourners mark the one-year burial impasse for late President Edgar Lungu, with family and church leaders renewing calls for closure. Environment & Health: World Environment Day coverage highlights Kabwe’s mining pollution harms and calls for real accountability, while a clubfoot campaign says early treatment is a right, not a privilege. Tech & Jobs: ECZ-linked election prep runs alongside regional digital ambitions, including Sparc Systems’ blueprint to scale ICT exports across Africa.

Tourism & Culture: President Hakainde Hichilema opened ZATEX 2026, pitching tourism as a jobs engine and calling for stronger intra-Africa travel links, with targets of 2.5m visitors and $1bn revenue. Health & Family: Hope Walks Zambia says about 808 children are born with clubfoot yearly; it reaches around 40% for early treatment, urging “see early, treat early.” Elections & Civic Life: ECZ launched a countrywide poll-staff recruitment drive for the 13 August 2026 general election, and also sensitised stakeholders on the new Electoral Process Amendment Act. Education & Food Security: Government launched the Presidential Irrigation Initiative for Schools to boost school feeding, STEM learning, and hands-on farming skills. Justice & Rights: A World Environment Day report highlights mining pollution harms in Kabwe and demands accountability for companies operating around toxic waste. Politics & Community Tension: In Chawama, suspected UPND cadres allegedly stoned Brian Mundubile’s convoy during a Lungu memorial mass, as burial disputes and memorial disagreements continue. Sports (Women’s Football): Toni Payne ended a nearly five-year scoring drought as Nigeria beat Senegal 2-1 ahead of WAFCON, with Zambia in the same group.

Education & Pensions Reforms: President Hakainde Hichilema has assented to five Bills into law, locking in free education and overhauling pension rules, including higher minimum pensions and improved retirement benefits for workers and pensioners. Courtroom Politics: The ECZ told the Constitutional Court it raised concerns about Socialist Party running mate Dolika Banda’s Grade 12 qualifications after nominations, but says it had already completed validation—sparking fresh questions on who cleared her. Lungu Burial Standoff: One year after Edgar Lungu’s death, the burial dispute remains unresolved, with Given Lubinda urging the family to allow burial to proceed while church bodies clarify they’re not endorsing memorial plans. Youth SRHR Alarm: African leaders opened a major youth reproductive health conference in Mombasa, warning that adolescents across the continent are being failed and the window to act is closing fast. Energy Transition Minerals: SADC launched a five-year project in Lusaka to keep critical energy-transition minerals’ value in the region, pushing jobs, skills, and local processing. Sports & National Pride: Mighty Warriors captain Emmaculate Msipa returns to camp for Zambia’s Four Nations tournament, aiming to build unity ahead of Olympic qualifiers. Business & Trade: ZimTrade will bring Zimbabwean services firms to Lusaka next week to explore Zambia’s market in agriculture services and construction.

Education & Pensions Laws Signed: President Hakainde Hichilema has assented to five Bills into law, locking in free education as a legal right and boosting pensions under NAPSA and public service reforms. The minimum pension rises from K1,861 to K2,327, with advance lump sums for about 30,000 retirees and improved savings growth for 1.2 million members. Free Education Milestone: State House says 2.6 million children have returned to classrooms since free education began in 2022, and the reforms are meant to protect gains beyond politics. Traditional Leadership in Mourning: Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV’s body has arrived at Chipata Airport for public viewing at Ephendukeni Palace, ahead of burial scheduled for Tuesday; leaders across Zambia praised him as a unifying Ngoni custodian of culture. Anti-immigration Tensions, Repatriation: Zambia repatriated 40 citizens from South Africa after demonstrations against foreign nationals, with ZASA saying the returns followed safety concerns. Sports—Four Nations Build-up: Copper Queens skipper Barbra Banda expects tough games at the Ndola Four Nations tournament as Zambia hosts Kenya, Zimbabwe and Lesotho ahead of WAFCON. Workplace Wellbeing: KWAL introduced a paid “feminine leave” policy—one day per month—to support menstrual health and inclusion. Business & Aid Logistics: DHL launched the DHL Academy of Humanitarian Logistics to train local responders, while MTN reshuffled continental leadership, including a new group people-and-culture role for Mitwa Ng’ambi.

Education & Pensions Reform: President Hakainde Hichilema is set to sign five Bills into law today, locking in free education as a legal right and raising the minimum pension from K1,861 to K2,327, with immediate benefits for over 17,000 pensioners and wider support for NAPSA members. Traditional Leadership & Mourning: Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV’s body is expected to arrive in Chipata today as thousands gather for last respects, with leaders across Zambia calling him a unifying Ngoni custodian of culture and peace. Women’s Football Build-Up: Zambia’s Copper Queens and Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors are in camp ahead of the Four Nations tournament in Ndola, with Barbra Banda urging fans to turn up as the competition sharpens preparations for WAFCON. Humanitarian Skills: DHL launched the DHL Academy of Humanitarian Logistics (DAHL) to train local responders across Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to cut delays and improve aid delivery. Workplace Wellbeing: Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL) introduced paid menstrual leave—one day per month from June 1, 2026—to support inclusion and wellbeing at work. Health: Isoka District kicked off a second round of the nOPV2 polio vaccination campaign to protect children under five. Sports Insurance: ZSIC Life pledged K6.2 million health insurance cover for the Zambia Athletics Intercompany relay on June 13. Diaspora Identity: A reflective piece explores how the question “Where are you from?” can carry emotional weight for African diasporas.

Traditional Leadership & Culture: Tributes keep pouring in for late Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV, praised by traditional leaders and President Hichilema as a unifying custodian who protected Ngoni culture and promoted peace. Education & Pensions: President Hichilema will sign free education and pension reform laws into effect tomorrow, including higher minimum pensions and improved NAPSA benefits for workers and retirees. Political Alliances: UPPZ has endorsed Hichilema for the August elections, while Tonse Alliance has postponed early Copperbelt rallies out of respect for Mpezeni’s passing. Church & Elections: Archbishop Ignatius Chama orders Kasama Catholic churches to keep politics out of worship—no campaigning, gifts, or political speeches in church spaces. STEM for Youth: Curiosity Cube™ is running hands-on science sessions in Zambia, linking learners with Merck scientists and UNZA volunteers. Rural Development: REA hands over 85 rural electrification projects worth K463 million to Zesco, pushing power access beyond cities. Health: Isoka starts a second nOPV2 polio vaccination round, and police in Sinda investigate an alleged defilement case. Sports: Super Falcons camp in Ikenne swells to 17 players ahead of Senegal friendlies. Education Integrity: GTEC warns the public about 70 unrecognised tertiary institutions, urging checks before enrolling.

Services & Trade: ZimTrade is sending over 30 Zimbabwean firms to a Zambia services business mission in Lusaka (June 9–11), targeting agriculture services and building/construction SMEs, including women and youth-led businesses. Elections & Governance: Campaign messaging is sharpening around jobs, economic recovery and public services, with the opposition struggling to offer a clear alternative to Hichilema’s results-focused narrative. Critical Minerals & Jobs: UN ECA launched a €15m, five-year SADC project to move critical minerals from extraction to greener, more inclusive value chains across DRC, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Sports (Women’s Football): Harambee Starlets gear up for a Four Nations tournament in Lusaka, but face permit and player-release headaches as they chase WAFCON and World Cup qualification momentum. Health & Education: HELSB says it has recovered K1.01bn in student loans and digitised processes, while Zambia’s UNZA sanitation upgrades are being protected from past disrepair. Culture & Community: The Ngoni community begins formal mourning for Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV, with political activities suspended during the funeral period. Business Leadership: MTN Group appoints Mitwa Ng’ambi as Chief People & Culture Officer, with leadership changes at MTN Côte d’Ivoire and MTN Zambia.

China-Africa People-to-People Culture: A viral “Song of Chambishi” spotlights Zambian miners and the Sino-Zambian joint venture behind the Chambishi mine, showing how music, work and everyday life are syncing across the continent. Education & Youth Finance: HELSB says it has recovered over K1.01 billion in student loans from former public university students (2018–2026), citing better compliance, digitised applications, and flexible repayment terms. Election Courtroom Drama: Zambia’s Constitutional Court set June 17 for a petition challenging Socialist Party presidential candidate Fred M’membe’s eligibility and running mate Dolika Banda’s Grade 12 equivalency. University Life & Services: Government says UNZA sanitation will not slip back, after inspections of renovated hostels and sewer lines, with maintenance models promised. Debt & Everyday Economics: PwC says Zambia’s planned Eurobond buyback (with AfDB support) strengthens debt recovery and could ease future costs. Health & Community Safety: Bulawayo begins a four-day polio vaccination push for children under five after a Malawi outbreak. Traditional Leadership: Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV’s death continues to draw condolences from across Zambia and neighbouring communities. Sports (Women’s Football): Zambia’s Copper Princesses and other regional teams gear up for upcoming friendlies and tournaments, with squads and camps taking shape.

Traditional Leadership & Culture: Zambia mourns Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV of the Ngoni after his death at 75, with chiefs across the country—including Chief Hamusonde VII and Luapula’s chiefs council—praising him as a cultural custodian and calling on Zambians to celebrate his legacy. Elections & Civic Life: The ECZ has launched its “Count Me In” voter education push ahead of the August 13, 2026 general election, urging peaceful, informed voting and highlighting women, youths, PWDs and first-time voters. Sports & National Pride: Copper Queens coach Nora Häuptle has named a 29-player squad for the Four Nations tournament in Ndola, while Zambia’s U-17 women’s captain Taonga Mubanga says the Copper Princesses won’t accept a group-stage exit. Health & Youth Development: CIDRZ trained peer educators to strengthen SRHR and gender-transformative conversations for adolescent boys and young men. Court & Accountability: Chishimba Kambwili has changed his plea and admitted entering Zimbabwe illegally, with judgement set for June 4. Lifestyle & Travel: Anantara marks 25 years with a global “Unforgettable Journeys” campaign, celebrating immersive, experience-led stays.