On behalf of the citizens of Zambia, we, the undersigned civil society organizations,
whose mandate is to foster transparency, advocate for good governance, and protect
the rights of citizens, respectfully draw your attention to several pressing issues that
have beset the nation and that require immediate intervention. In issuing this joint
statement, we aim to ensure accountability, promote social justice, and contribute to
policy development, particularly in the areas of human rights, democracy, and
sustainable development.
Ladies and gentlemen, as our nation strives for equitable socio-economic
development, we face numerous challenges that have continued to impede our
progress as a country. An accountable and transparent leadership, as well as strategic
reforms in key areas, are essential to restore public confidence and ensure sustainable
national growth that will benefit every single one of us as citizens of Zambia.
Below, we outline our concerns and recommendations for the government to consider.
- Governance Environment
The focus here will be Corruption prevention and asset recovery, and Legislation on
Political Party and Campaign financing.
- Corruption Prevention and Asset Recovery
Zambia currently faces significant challenges in corruption prevention and asset
recovery. We commend the Government for enacting laws aimed at enhancing
accountability, such as the Public Procurement Act and the initiative to push for laws
regarding Lifestyle Audit and Asset recovery. These initiatives reflect a commitment to
combat corruption and facilitate the recovery of stolen assets.
Nevertheless, while the Government’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption is
commendable, it requires stronger constitutional provisions that will support zero
tolerance for corruption, asset recovery and transparency in real and meaningful ways.
We therefore call for a clear and comprehensive asset recovery mechanism, and the
enactment of legislation for assets and liabilities declarations.
As CSOs, we are concerned that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) remains
without a substantive Director General and a Board, and we fear that a continuation
of this anomaly will hinder the Commission’s effectiveness in fighting corruption. We
therefore call for the appointment of a new ACC Board and a substantive Director
General without further ado.
Still on the issue of corruption, we are of the considered view that the fight against
corruption should be comprehensive and include anyone who misuses public
resources regardless of their status, and position in government. We are concerned
that a number of allegations against those associated with the current government
have seemingly not been looked into, and this threatens to undermine the broader
anti-corruption efforts that are currently under way. We further call for greater
independence of the Office of the Auditor General, the operationalization of the Public
Audit Act of 2016, the Public Audit Commission Act of 2016 and full operationalisation
of the Public Finance Management Act of 2018 as they are essential to enhance
accountability in public resource management, with clear penalties for financial
misconduct.
In the same vein, robust protections for whistle-blowers must be established to
encourage reporting of corruption without fear of retaliation. By addressing these
challenges and implementing these recommendations, Zambia can enhance its efforts
in combating corruption and recovering assets, fostering a culture of accountability
and transparency within its governance framework.
- Legislation on Political Party and Campaign Financing
Zambia’s political campaign and finance landscape remains unregulated and poses
risks of state capture and being a breeding ground for corruption. We urge the
government to regulate political party financing in line with Article 60 of the
Constitution. As CSOs, we consider this to be of critical importance in not only
enhancing the integrity of Zambia’s electoral process but also reducing the risk of
policy and state capture. Further, evidence from previous Corruption Perception
Indices, in particular the 2019 one, suggests that countries that have legislation on
political party and campaign financing tend to perform well in the fight against
corruption. We therefore expect the government to take steps to commence the
process of enacting legislation that will regulate political party and campaign financing
in Zambia.
- Legal and Policy Reforms.
Under this heading, we will focus on constitutional reforms and shrinking civic space.
- Constitutional Reforms
Zambia stands at a critical juncture, grappling with significant challenges that require
comprehensive legal and policy reforms to foster good governance and protect
citizens’ rights. Encouragingly, the government has recognized the need for
constitutional reforms, a promise the UPND made while in opposition and reaffirmed
in the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP). The 8NDP emphasizes the importance
of constitutional reform to strengthen governance, and human rights protections, to
ensure alignment of subsidiary legislation with the Constitution, outlining a target
period for reforms between 2024 and 2025. However, as stakeholders, we have
concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the reform roadmap and process. We
therefore urge the government to engage stakeholders in developing an inclusive
constitutional reform roadmap that prioritizes accessibility, public participation,
accountability, respect for diverse views, and consensus building. It has always been
our stance as civil society that ‘process protects content’ and as such we desire to see
a transparent and inclusive process.
- Shrinking Civic Space
We are concerned that the arbitrary implementation of some pieces of legislation has
led to a narrowing of civic space, thereby impeding effective engagement and stifling
dissent. Police crackdowns on peaceful protests often involving arrests and violence,
highlight a worrying trend against civic freedoms. Activists, particularly those critical of
the government, have faced harassment and intimidation, creating a chilling effect on
civil society. Though protective laws exist, inconsistent enforcement allows authorities
to impose undue restrictions on gatherings, especially for opposition parties and
critical CSOs.
Addressing these issues calls for a holistic approach to legal and police reforms,
ensuring the Constitution aligns with democratic values and that the Police operate
within these parameters. Prioritizing these reforms can help create an inclusive,
democratic environment that strengthens governance, promotes sustainable
development, and fosters a more open society.
We would like to challenge the Police to learn the lessons from the past and not allow
themselves to become tools of political oppression. Rather, the Police should execute
their mandate with the highest degree of professionalism and in a manner that will
protect the civil liberties of the Zambian citizenry.
- Economic Transformation and Job Creation
- Debt Management and Transparency
Zambia’s national debt now exceeds $14 billion, intensifying concerns around
economic stability and public service delivery. In recent years, the accumulation of
undisclosed loans, particularly from China for large-scale infrastructure projects, has
underscored the critical need for transparency in debt acquisition. Despite the debt
restructuring efforts that have borne some success with support from the International
Monetary Fund (IMF)-supported program currently underway, which presents an
opportunity to restore financial stability, there remains several risks to the sustainability
of debt management reforms and the ability of the Government to settle these
payments. Success in addressing these concerns hinges on implementing robust
governance and transparent debt management practices.
We therefore urge government to establish a Sinking Fund, a mechanism that can
help manage debt repayments proactively. Implementation of all provisions of the
Public Debt Management Act and establishing the Public Debt Management Office as
it has committed is also strongly encouraged. Implementing these reforms will not only
rebuild public trust but also bolster Zambia’s credibility with international lenders,
paving the way for sustained economic growth.
- Energy Crisis
Zambia’s ongoing energy crisis has emerged as a critical obstacle to both economic
growth and the daily lives of citizens. The crisis is largely attributed to reduced
hydropower generation caused by low water levels at key facilities like Lake Kariba.
This reliance on hydropower, which accounts for most of the Zambia’s electricity
supply, has exposed the nation to vulnerabilities in the face of climate change and
inconsistent rainfall patterns.
The government’s response, including importing emergency power and waiving taxes
on solar equipment, is commendable but insufficient for long-term stability. We
recommend:
- Diversification of Energy Sources: Focus on developing solar, wind, and
geothermal energy to reduce dependency on hydropower.
- Enhanced Regulation: Implement mechanisms to monitor and ensure tax relief
benefits are passed on to consumers as the current state only benefits the
retailers who sell their products at exorbitant prices.
- Energy Efficiency Programs: Introduce smart metering and demand-response
initiatives to optimize energy use.
- Community Participation: Launch pilot renewable energy projects in rural areas
to empower communities and reduce reliance on the national grid.
- Debt Management and Transparency
Zambia’s national debt now exceeds $14 billion, intensifying concerns around
economic stability and public service delivery. In recent years, the accumulation of
undisclosed loans, particularly from China for large-scale infrastructure projects, has
underscored the critical need for transparency in debt acquisition. Despite the debt
restructuring efforts that have borne some success with support from the International
Monetary Fund (IMF)-supported program currently underway, which presents an
opportunity to restore financial stability, there remains several risks to the sustainability
of debt management reforms and the ability of the Government to settle these
payments. Success in addressing these concerns hinges on implementing robust
governance and transparent debt management practices.
We therefore urge government to establish a Sinking Fund, a mechanism that can
help manage debt repayments proactively. Implementation of all provisions of the
Public Debt Management Act and establishing the Public Debt Management Office as
it has committed is also strongly encouraged. Implementing these reforms will not only
rebuild public trust but also bolster Zambia’s credibility with international lenders,
paving the way for sustained economic growth.
- Energy Crisis
Zambia’s ongoing energy crisis has emerged as a critical obstacle to both economic
growth and the daily lives of citizens. The crisis is largely attributed to reduced
hydropower generation caused by low water levels at key facilities like Lake Kariba.
This reliance on hydropower, which accounts for most of the Zambia’s electricity
supply, has exposed the nation to vulnerabilities in the face of climate change and
inconsistent rainfall patterns.
The government’s response, including importing emergency power and waiving taxes
on solar equipment, is commendable but insufficient for long-term stability. We
recommend:
- Diversification of Energy Sources: Focus on developing solar, wind, and
geothermal energy to reduce dependency on hydropower.
- Enhanced Regulation: Implement mechanisms to monitor and ensure tax relief
benefits are passed on to consumers as the current state only benefits the
retailers who sell their products at exorbitant prices.
- Energy Efficiency Programs: Introduce smart metering and demand-response
initiatives to optimize energy use.
- Community Participation: Launch pilot renewable energy projects in rural areas
to empower communities and reduce reliance on the national grid.
- Natural Resource Governance:
Natural resource governance in Zambia remains a critical area in need of reform and
enhancement. While the country is endowed with significant mineral wealth, the
governance of these resources faces challenges that limit accountability, equity, and
long-term sustainability. We commend government’s efforts in addressing some of
these challenges through initiatives such as, such as participating in the Extractive
Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), developing Natural Capital Accounts to aid in
sustainable resource planning, and enacting measures to counteract tax loss from
transfer mispricing in mining operations.
Despite these measures, Zambia still encounters considerable obstacles in ensuring
effective governance in this area. A key challenge is the absence of comprehensive
frameworks to guide transparent and equitable resource management and benefits,
gaps in tax and revenue collection resulting in leakages, which affects the potential
gains from natural resources. Issues such as prior volatility of taxation policies and
insufficient transparency in resource extraction have hindered accountability and
disproportionately impacted communities near mining areas, often leading to limited
benefits from these activities for such communities. We note the national target to
achieve 3 million tonnes extraction of copper for instance but we are quite concerned
about the potential negative impact on the environment and as such wish to
recommend that a sound environment management plan be adopted alongside this
target.
To further address these challenges, we are calling for a comprehensive natural
resource governance framework that promotes transparent reporting of resource
revenues, and equitable taxation. Such a framework could unlock Zambia’s economic
potential while safeguarding citizens’ rights and ensuring fair distribution of benefits.
Further steps would include strengthening institutional capacities for enforcing
environmental standards and tax compliance, which would help mitigate revenue
leakages and environmental harm, and enhanced policies to involve local communities
more directly in the resource benefits and decision-making processes in order to foster
inclusivity and reduce disparities. By implementing these recommendations, Zambia
could sustainably manage its natural resources, aligning with both national
development goals and international sustainability standards. Finally, under natural
resource governance, we wish to call the Government’s attention towards human
safety in the mining sector and ensure that mechanisms are put in place to prevent
loss of life, and that where lives are lost, proper compensation is given to those
affected.
- Human and Social Development: Reinstatement of the Ministry of Gender
The current state of gender equality in Zambia reflects a combination of progress and
ongoing challenges. The Zambian government has made commitments to enhance
gender equality, including efforts to empower women and girls. Recently, at the UN’s
Commission on the Status of Women, Honourable Doreen Mwamba emphasized the
government’s intention to create a strong legal and policy framework to combat gender
inequalities and promote women’s empowerment.
We appreciate key initiatives including robust social protection programs like the
Social Cash Transfer scheme, which targets impoverished households, particularly
those headed by women. However, significant challenges persist, particularly
regarding access to resources, where women continue to face barriers that hinder
their entrepreneurial pursuits. Moreover, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a
critical issue that undermines progress.
A notable setback in gender governance is the abolition of the Ministry of Gender,
which has limited the government’s capacity to effectively address gender-based
violence, enhance women’s leadership, and promote child protection. The absence of
a dedicated ministry has led to fragmented efforts in tackling these vital issues. It has
further reduced Zambia’s presence and voice at regional, continental and international
level when other States’ Ministers of Gender meet to shape decisions and at time
allocate resources for gender related work. Key intergovernmental bodies such as
SADC, African Union and the United Nations all have mechanisms that target
Ministers of Gender and Zambia not having a dedicated Minister in that portfolio
undermines its visibility at that stage as well as opportunity to shape gender discourse.
We therefore call for the urgent reinstatement of the Ministry of Gender, in order to
enhance the implementation of the gender agenda and to strengthen the political and
legal frameworks that support gender equity.
- Social Protection and Inclusivity
Zambia’s social protection landscape is a blend of promising initiatives and substantial
challenges, as government efforts like the Social Cash Transfer Program and food
security initiatives strive to alleviate poverty yet face budget limitations, limited reach,
and disparities between urban and rural access to essential services. With just 7.4%
of GDP allocated to social protection in 2025, funding shortages affect program
consistency, with infrastructure deficiencies particularly in rural areas further limiting
service accessibility. Additional issues, such as inefficiencies in beneficiary
identification, delayed disbursements, and mismanagement of the social cash transfer
funds underscore the need for reforms. We therefore recommend increasing social
protection funding, targeting rural disparities, strengthening CDF oversight, improving
program implementation, embedding social rights in constitutional amendments, and
fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships. Together, these efforts could enhance
Zambia’s social protection framework and better support vulnerable communities.
- Environmental Sustainability
Zambia faces growing vulnerability to climate change, particularly due to prolonged
droughts that severely impact agricultural productivity, a cornerstone of the economy
and food security. The effects of climate change are increasingly evident, with more
frequent and intense droughts causing substantial agricultural losses, threatening
livelihoods, and destabilizing the economy.
We recognize government efforts to address these challenges, including initiatives to
promote climate-smart agricultural practices and engage with international climate
finance mechanisms, like the Green Climate Fund, to support climate adaptation and
mitigation projects. However, challenges persist, such as limited financial
transparency, underutilized partnerships with the private sector and civil society, and
a disconnect between policy formulation and implementation, resulting in inadequate
adaptation measures.
To bridge these gaps, the government should prioritize comprehensive climate
adaptation strategies, particularly in agriculture. Investments in sustainable
agricultural technologies are essential to help farmers adapt to shifting climate patterns
and secure food supplies. Actively pursuing international climate finance can further
support resilience-building programs. Enhanced collaboration between the
government, private sector, civil society, and international partners will foster
innovative, community-centred solutions to climate challenges.
The challenges above can further point to environmental governance which remains
critical as the nation faces increasing challenges from climate change, deforestation,
and pollution. Therefore, the government in collaboration with different stakeholders,
must strengthen policies and ensure the enforcement of environmental laws.
As CSOs, we further urge the government to articulate a long-term strategy for early
detection of climate impacts, disaster mitigation for droughts, and a transition from
hydropower to alternative renewable energy sources. Additionally, public awareness
campaigns are needed to educate citizens on climate change impacts and promote
sustainable practices, encouraging greater community involvement in resilience
efforts.
In conclusion, it is our hope that government will not turn a blind eye to the issues we
have raised in this statement. We are convinced that addressing these challenges will
help set our nation on a path towards sustainable development and prosperity, and
we stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue with government and other
stakeholders to find solutions that will benefit the citizens of Zambia.
Maurice K. Nyambe (Mr.)
TI-Z EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
For and on Behalf of:
- Alliance for Accountability Advocates Zambia
- Alliance for Community Action
- Chapter One Foundation
- Christian Churches Monitoring Group
- GEARS Initiative Zambia
- Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council
- Panos Institute Southern Africa
- Transparency International Zambia
- Zambia Council for Social Development
- Zambia National Women’s Lobby
