AGP Executive Report

Medical Tech & Training: Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo becomes the first public facility to offer complex knee surgeries and total hip replacements after local orthopaedic surgeons were trained by visiting experts from Italy and Scotland, with live procedures and symposium sessions under the Africa Marathon initiative. Trade & Finance: The US EXIM Bank has reopened short-term commercial credit and insurance for Zambia’s private sector, alongside AGOA extension through 2028—aimed at making it easier for Zambian firms to buy American equipment and reduce exporter risk. Digital Government: Zambia’s Smart Office Platform push is now mandatory across ministries, provinces and state agencies, with the Smart Zambia Institute tasked to report onboarding progress by end of October. Mobility Safety Tech: Yango Ride reports major safety gains across Africa, including a 49% drop in reckless driving incidents in Zambia, plus fewer post-trip complaints linked to privacy-protecting call tech and 24/7 support. Cybersecurity for Growth: A Global Cybersecurity Initiative launched in Windhoek plans to connect businesses and governments across multiple African countries including Zambia to tackle rising cybercrime losses. Health Research: New African hypertension guidelines recommend earlier screening (including for children from age five) and stronger primary-care delivery, with support for nurses and community health workers. Critical Minerals Reality Check: A new look at the energy transition warns that the bottleneck isn’t only raw materials, but permitted projects, processing capacity and supply chains—key for Zambia’s copper-and-minerals future.

US-Zambia Trade Finance: Washington has reopened the US Export-Import Bank credit window for eligible Zambian private-sector deals (up to one year), aiming to make it easier for firms to buy American equipment and technology. Smart Government Tech: Zambia’s Cabinet Secretary Patrick Kangwa has ordered all public institutions to prioritise the Smart Office Platform, pushing paperless workflows and secure records management with progress reporting due end of October. Fintech Beyond Access: Zambia’s mobile money push is shifting from getting people wallets to helping them save and invest—highlighting that agent numbers alone don’t solve liquidity and service consistency. Mobility Safety Tech: Yango Ride reports major safety gains across Africa, including a 49% drop in reckless driving incidents in Zambia, tied to privacy-protecting call tools, anti-fraud systems and 24/7 urgent support. Critical Minerals Reality Check: A new analysis warns that value-add plans face supply-chain and permitting bottlenecks, with refining projects often far costlier than expected—especially where power and skills are constrained. Cancer Care Tech: Zambia says it’s strengthening oncology with upgraded radiotherapy and imaging, plus decentralised centres in Ndola and Livingstone to improve access and early detection. Chimp “Dialects” Study: Research comparing eastern chimp calls from Zambia and Tanzania finds vocal differences grow with age, suggesting developing “dialects” shaped by social life.

Smart Government: Zambia’s Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, has ordered all public institutions to prioritise adopting and using the Smart Office Platform, with the Smart Zambia Institute to report progress by end of October. Public Health Tech: Zambia is pushing cancer care forward, commissioning upgraded radiotherapy and imaging tech and accelerating decentralised oncology services, including major facilities in Ndola and Livingstone. Mobility Safety: Yango Ride says updated privacy-protecting call tech, anti-fraud systems and 24/7 emergency support helped cut reckless driving incidents across Africa, with Zambia down 49%. Cybersecurity & Digital Trade: The Global Cybersecurity Initiative (GCI) was launched to connect businesses, governments and innovators across Africa, including Zambia, aiming to reduce cybercrime losses and speed up safe digital growth. Climate Risk: UN chief António Guterres warns a “very strong” El Niño is looming, raising Zambia’s risks of floods, droughts and extreme heat. Wildlife Science: A new study finds eastern chimpanzees may develop “dialects” as they grow, comparing Zambia and Tanzania populations. Finance & Inclusion: Mobile money leaders say the next challenge is not just access, but helping users actually save and invest—while Zambia focuses on reliable liquidity and service delivery. Energy Transition: A report flags critical minerals supply gaps driven by permitting, processing capacity and supply chains—not just raw material availability. Governance & Justice: Zambia’s Acting AG says Mundubile and others are not political prisoners, while UN concerns over civic space and due process continue to draw attention.

Clean Energy Deal: Sawa Energy and dfcu Bank are partnering to expand affordable, reliable clean power for Ugandan SMEs via financed on-site solar PV and battery systems with long-term pay-for-consumption or lease options. Water Cooperation: Finland and Zambia co-chaired a regional push on “Water for Cooperation,” stressing that transboundary water progress needs trust, inclusive governance, and stronger science-to-policy links. Cybersecurity Push: Namibia’s DS Tech launched the Global Cybersecurity Initiative to connect businesses, governments and innovators across Africa (including Zambia) to tackle rising cyber threats and cybercrime losses. Climate Risk for Zambia: UN chief António Guterres warned El Niño is entering a “danger zone,” with WMO forecasting a very strong event that could intensify floods, droughts and heatwaves into 2027—raising stakes for Zambia’s development plans. Mobility Safety Tech: Yango’s 2024–2025 Safety Report links safer rides to privacy-protecting calling tech, anti-fraud systems and 24/7 emergency support; Zambia saw a 49% drop in reckless driving incidents. Health & Research: ZAMRA and NHRA signed an MoU to speed up and better monitor clinical trials in Zambia, aiming to reduce regulatory delays and strengthen participant protection. HIV Update: Zambia reported a slight HIV decline (1.311m in 2023 to 1.308m in 2025) alongside progress in mother-to-child transmission reduction. Mobile Money Focus: MTN fintech discussions highlighted that Africa’s next mobile money growth is about deeper usage—savings and investing—not just more sign-ups, with Zambia facing service-access challenges.

Cancer Care Upgrade: Zambia reaffirms commitment to strengthening oncology services, with an upgraded radiotherapy and imaging section commissioned and more cancer centres planned (Ndola nearing 85% and Livingstone next). Clinical Trials Boost: ZAMRA and NHRA sign an MoU to speed up approval and monitoring of clinical trials, harmonise requirements, and enable joint inspections. HIV Update: Zambia records a slight decline in people living with HIV (1.311m in 2023 to 1.308m in 2025) and highlights progress in cutting mother-to-child transmission. El Niño Warning: A “supersized” El Niño is expected to intensify through 2026/27, raising risks of floods, droughts, heatwaves and threats to Zambia’s Grow Zambia plan. Agri Tech & Climate Smart Farming: Agric stakeholders back Hichilema’s diversification push, calling for more investment in technology and climate-smart agriculture to protect yields. Mobile Money Next Step: MTN fintech summit debates what comes after access—pushing savings and investment habits, including lessons from Zambia’s mobile money market. Digital Safety in Mobility: Yango Ride reports safety gains across Africa, including a 49% drop in reckless driving incidents in Zambia, supported by in-app safety tools and emergency response. Digital Cooperation: Zambia is set to join the Digital Cooperation Organization, opening doors for cooperation on AI, digital trade and digital public infrastructure. Media Skills: MTN’s Pan-African Media Innovation Programme welcomes its first cohort, including journalists from Zambia, to build resilience as AI reshapes newsrooms. Food Systems & School Feeding: Mary’s Meals reports major hunger reductions linked to school meals, with Zambia among countries expanding reach. Regulatory Capacity: ZAMRA/NHRA trial MoU and the oncology symposium both point to faster, safer health research and treatment delivery.

Clinical Trials Oversight: ZAMRA and NHRA signed an MoU to speed up approval and monitoring of clinical trials in Zambia, including joint inspections and shared safety monitoring to cut delays and reduce the regulatory burden on researchers. HIV Update: Zambia reported a slight drop in people living with HIV to about 1.308 million in 2025, alongside progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission and pediatric infections, while stressing the need to reach WHO elimination targets. HIV Prevention Supply: Zambia received its first US-funded shipment of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection given twice yearly, expanding options beyond daily oral PrEP. Digital Media Training: MTN, University of Johannesburg and TAEF welcomed the first cohort of the MTN Pan-African Media Innovation Programme, training 42 journalists across 10 countries including Zambia to strengthen journalism in the AI era. Road to Growth in Agriculture: Agricultural stakeholders backed President Hichilema’s push to diversify and scale production using technology, science and infrastructure, with calls for climate-smart farming and better implementation. Road Safety Tech: Yango Ride’s safety report says serious traffic violations fell 31% globally, citing tech like GPS driving analysis and privacy-protecting call tools. El Niño Warning: A “supersized” El Niño is expected to intensify, raising risks of floods, drought and extreme heat across the region. Copper Boom, Skills Pipeline: A Kitwe focus story highlights how Zambia’s copper demand is pulling more students into mining engineering and shaping a new generation’s expectations for local prosperity. Digital Infrastructure Investment: WIOCC secured $300m to expand data centers, fiber and subsea connectivity across Africa to support AI and digital public infrastructure. Zambia Election Rights: UN experts warned of a post-election crackdown, urging release of political detainees and an end to criminalisation of dissent.

Digital Infrastructure & AI: WIOCC secured a combined US$300M investment to expand Africa’s data centres, fiber and subsea connectivity—aimed at powering digital identity, digital public infrastructure and AI growth. Critical Minerals Geopolitics: A new report says China has the edge in securing critical minerals assets in Africa, while the US is ramping up investment—keeping Zambia and the region central to the race. Zambia Election & Rights: Zambia’s post-election crackdown is drawing urgent calls to release political detainees and end treason charges against opposition leaders, as observers cite intimidation and arrests. HIV Prevention Upgrade: Zambia received its first US-funded shipment of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention drug with twice-yearly injections, expanding prevention options. Mining & Finance Tech: ZCCM is pushing to formalise Zambia’s gold trade after a major gap between partner import figures and official exports—aiming to unlock about $1.8B. Agriculture Innovation: Rwanda’s minister highlights AI for farmers, while a regional research partnership backs enhanced rock weathering field trials to boost yields and soil resilience. Energy & Transport: Mozambique and Zimbabwe broke ground on a major CPMZ pipeline expansion to add 2B more litres of fuel annually into Southern Africa, supporting markets including Zambia. Tech for Payments: Kenyan e-invoicing firm DigiTax enters the UAE after pre-approval, as countries move toward structured electronic invoicing.

Zambia Politics & Governance: President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second term after the Aug. 13 election, but observers say the process was marred by serious irregularities, including alleged vote-tally manipulation, arrests of opposition lawmakers, military presence at polling/counting sites, and court access restrictions; his main rival Brian Mundubile remains in prison on treason charges. HIV Prevention Tech & Health: Zambia received its first US-funded shipment of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention drug given as two injections per year, expanding options beyond daily oral PrEP. Digital Infrastructure & Connectivity: A report on East Africa’s “inland” digital future highlights how submarine cable disruptions can quickly cripple mobile money and cloud services—an issue that also applies to Zambia. Mining & Data Gaps: ZCCM is pushing to formalise Zambia’s gold trade to close a major gap between partner-reported gold imports and Zambia’s official export figures. Agriculture Research & Soil Science: A new MoU backs enhanced rock weathering field trials with smallholders, aiming to improve yields and soil resilience. Cyber & Trust: Zambia-linked reports include warnings about online scams and exposed customer credentials in the region, underlining the need for stronger cybersecurity practices. Women, Skills & Enterprise: PAWEN plans a Pan-African women’s summit in Lusaka to grow cross-border business networks and leadership.

Zambia’s Second-Term Tech & Governance Moment: President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second term in Lusaka amid reports of a chaotic August 13 election, with observers citing irregularities like vote-tally interference, arrests of opposition lawmakers, military presence at polling stations, and court shutdowns—raising concerns about how future leaders may entrench power. Digital Public Infrastructure Exposure: An African Union-backed delegation including Zambia visited India’s Karnataka to learn how Digital Public Infrastructure can strengthen governance and public services, with UNDP support. Cybersecurity Certification: Zambia-linked regional tech news highlights Cybernovr’s ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security management, reinforcing cyber resilience and governance. Health Tech for TB: CIDRZ handed over TB diagnostic and lab equipment to Zambia’s Ministry of Health on the Copperbelt, including refurbished facilities and a refrigerated centrifuge, to boost TB diagnosis and treatment capacity. Connectivity Growth in the Region: Starlink’s satellite internet continues expanding across southern Africa; Zimbabwe’s VSAT subscriptions surged, signalling rapid broadband shifts. Energy Transition Signal: China’s solar capacity overtook coal-fired power for the first time, with PV now a major share of new capacity—an important global tech trend for Zambia’s power planning.

Zambia Politics & Governance: President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second term, but Reuters reports observers say the August 13 election was chaotic and marred by serious irregularities, including vote-tally issues, arrests of opposition lawmakers, soldiers at polling stations, and courts being shut. Digital Public Infrastructure: An African Union-backed delegation including Zambia visited India’s Karnataka to learn how Digital Public Infrastructure can improve governance and public service delivery, with discussions focused on platforms and inclusive development. Cybersecurity: Hungry Lion says customer credentials were exposed for months after a ransomware incident; researchers link compromised records to its online self-service portals across multiple countries including Zambia. Health Tech & Labs: CIDRZ handed over critical TB equipment and refurbished laboratories in Zambia’s Copperbelt, including a renovated TB lab at Kitwe Teaching Hospital, to boost diagnosis, treatment and research capacity. Agritech & Climate Resilience: Zambia’s delegation visited India’s natural farming fields in Andhra Pradesh to learn community-based agroecology and climate-resilient farming models for scaling back home. El Niño Risk: The IIF warns Africa faces El Niño from a weaker economic position, with countries including Zambia having limited room to absorb another food-price shock. Creative Economy: Africa Creative Market 2026 wrapped up in Lusaka after six days of dialogue, investment talks and cross-border collaboration to grow Africa’s creative industries. Inclusive Development: In his inauguration remarks, Hichilema stressed “leaving no one behind,” doubling the economy, and deepening partnerships in trade, investment, technology, and youth and women empowerment.

Digital Economy Diplomacy: The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) approved eight new member candidates, including Zambia, expanding membership from 16 to 24 and aiming to shape new rules on data, AI, and cross-border digital trade. Cybersecurity & Labs: In Zambia, CIDRZ trained laboratory professionals on biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment, stressing that safety must keep pace with growing diagnostic capacity. Border Tech for Trade: Zambia Revenue Authority signed deals with a US firm for advanced cargo scanning and X-ray scanners at the Livingstone border to boost security and speed up clearance on busy trade corridors. Agriculture & Climate Resilience: A Zambian delegation visited natural farming fields in India under South–South cooperation to learn community-based agroecology models for scaling climate-resilient farming at home. Tech for Connectivity: Starlink’s next African push is reaching users without satellite dishes, with mobile operators extending satellite connectivity to compatible smartphones. Public Safety Online: Zambia Correctional Service warned the public about fake recruitment ads and scam messages claiming jobs—no fees are charged and recruitment is only via official channels.

Satellite Connectivity: Starlink’s “direct-to-phone” model is expanding across Africa, with Airtel Africa launching Starlink Mobile in the DRC so compatible smartphones can send SMS and use light data apps without a satellite dish. Biosafety in Labs: CIDRZ strengthened Zambia’s laboratory biosafety and biosecurity capacity through four-day risk assessment training for infectious-material labs, pushing deliberate risk management as diagnostic capacity grows. Cybersecurity Skills: Micronics says cybersecurity expertise must scale with Zambia’s digital transformation, warning that connected systems and critical operations become new vulnerability points. Tourism Tech Storytelling: Zambia’s Cabinet Secretary Patrick Kangwa says technology and innovation should help market Zambia’s tourism story, including through tech-driven cultural showcases like drone light shows. Drone Shows: Lusaka hosted a synchronized drone light display celebrating Zambia–China people-to-people exchanges, highlighting projects like TAZARA and using tech for diplomacy and tourism branding. Digital Trust & Fraud: Zambia Correctional Service warns the public about fake recruitment ads and messages on social media, stressing recruitment is never done via private chats and no fees are charged. Education & Recognition: Ghana’s GTEC cautioned against enrolling in unrecognised institutions, including some operating in Zambia, urging verification before relying on certificates. Payments & Work: Yango Group expanded Great Place to Work certification from nine to 17 countries, including Zambia, based on employee feedback. Cross-Border Tech & Trade: A new DRC–Angola rail deal targets faster mineral exports via the Lobito corridor, linking the Copperbelt to Atlantic shipping routes.

Drones for diplomacy: Lusaka’s night sky lit up with a synchronized drone show celebrating Zambia–China people-to-people exchanges, with formations highlighting Zambian heritage and the Tanzania–Zambia Railway (TAZARA), and officials saying the tech is being used to tell Zambia’s story globally. AI at the border: A Zimbabwe safari traveller learned the hard way that AI can hallucinate—his chatbot said a KAZA visa was valid, but immigration officers disagreed, turning a holiday plan into a costly re-application. Education quality warning: Ghana’s GTEC published a list of 100 unrecognised universities (including some linked to Zambia), urging students and employers to verify recognition before enrolling or relying on certificates. Health tech expansion: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signed a ten-year partnership with Botswana’s Ministry of Health covering digital health transformation, national genomics and precision medicine, signalling more AI and genomics investment across southern Africa. Local digital rollout: Sinazongwe Town Council goes digital as Smart Zambia deploys ICT tools to improve services at council level. Energy planning gap: A conference discussion on Africa’s energy transition stressed the missing piece isn’t only megawatts—it’s the people and institutions needed to run, regulate and maintain the systems.

Digital Health & Tech Partnerships: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signs a 10-year Botswana health deal covering digital health transformation, national genomics, precision medicine and local capability building. AI for Students: Google expands free Google AI Plus to students in 27 African countries (including Zambia), offering Gemini tools plus shared cloud storage for a year. Zambia’s Smart Cities: Sinazongwe Town Council goes digital with Smart Zambia, getting high-speed internet, advanced communications and ICT equipment to improve service delivery. Education Quality Watch: Ghana’s GTEC warns the public about 100 unrecognised universities (including some with Zambia links), urging due diligence before enrolling or relying on certificates. People-to-People Tech Diplomacy: Hundreds of drones light up Lusaka during China–Zambia people-to-people exchanges, showcasing landmarks and tourism. Gender & Skills: New Zambia-linked research suggests negotiation training for young women can boost education and long-term economic outcomes. Governance & Accountability: Transparency International Zambia flags 32 constituencies after procedural irregularities in the 2026 elections, calling for transparent result reviews. Energy & Power Planning: USTDA seeks partnerships to modernize Southern Africa power infrastructure, with Zambia among the delegation countries.

Zambia Election Watch: Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has flagged procedural irregularities from the Aug 13, 2026 general elections and put 32 constituencies under review, calling for a transparent re-check of results after monitoring found inconsistent enforcement of electoral laws and gaps in ECZ communication. Cybersecurity & Digital Risk: Zambia says cybersecurity is now both an economic and security issue as mobile subscriptions and mobile internet grow; officials cite hundreds of cyber cases and warn that digital transformation expands the number of systems that can be attacked. Border Tech for Trade: Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and a U.S. firm have signed deals to deploy advanced cargo scanning and X-ray scanners at the Livingstone border, aiming to tighten border security on busy trade corridors. AI for Students: Google is expanding its free Google AI Plus offer to students across 27 African countries, including Zambia, with Gemini tools and cloud storage for a year. Power & Grid Modernisation: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is inviting power-sector decision-makers from Angola, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia for a visit focused on grid management tech, including AI-based outage prediction and electricity flow optimisation. Digital Local Government: Sinazongwe Town Council is going digital with Smart Zambia ICT tools, bringing faster, more modern service delivery to residents.

AI for students: Google expands its free one-year Google AI Plus offer to university and college students across 27 African countries, including Zambia, with Gemini tools and 400GB cloud storage after verification. Digital health & genomics: Abu Dhabi’s M42 signs a ten-year partnership with Botswana’s Ministry of Health covering digital health transformation, national genomics, precision medicine and local capability building. Solar scale-up: A new analysis estimates Africa could add 17GW of solar in 2026 (up 45%), with decentralized systems driving growth and China supplying most modules. Cybersecurity pressure: Zambia’s government warns cybersecurity is now an economic and security issue as mobile subscriptions and digital transformation grow, alongside rising cyber-related cases. Border tech for trade: Zambia’s Livingstone border is set to get advanced cargo scanning tech via a ZRA deal with a US firm to boost border security and efficiency. Education quality checks: Ghana’s GTEC publishes a list of 100 unrecognised universities as of August 28, 2026, urging due diligence on certificates. Co-ops for jobs: ULCCS brings India’s worker co-op model to Africa, pitching cooperatives as a route to youth employment and entrepreneurship. Internet shutdown harms: Access Now marks the “Sound of the Silenced” campaign’s 10-year push against internet shutdowns that isolate communities and endanger lives.