Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z), with support from the joint country programme of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and DanChurchAid (DCA) through the LIFT Zambia Programme, conducted an assessment of the civic space in Zambia to examine legal gaps, policy challenges, and incidences of infringement affecting citizens, civil society organisations, the media, and other civic actors.
The study reviews the current legal and policy environment governing civic freedoms, including freedom of expression, association, assembly, access to information, and public participation. It also documents experiences from selected districts, highlighting how civic space is affected at both national and local levels.
This report comes at a critical time when Zambia continues to make progress in democratic governance while also facing concerns around selective enforcement of laws, restrictions on public assembly, challenges in accessing information, and pressure on media and civil society actors. A free and open civic space is essential for accountability, transparency, anti-corruption work, and meaningful citizen participation in national development.
Through this assessment, TI-Z seeks to contribute to evidence-based dialogue and action among government institutions, civil society, cooperating partners, the media, and citizens. The findings and recommendations are intended to support reforms that strengthen democratic governance, protect fundamental freedoms, and promote an enabling environment for active citizenship in Zambia.
