AGP Executive Report

Digital Sovereignty: Zambia signs an MoU with Huawei to build AI and national cloud infrastructure for 25 ministries, including a national data centre to keep critical data stored locally. Water & Sanitation Delivery: VP Mutale Nalumango opens ZAWAFE and reiterates government support for water and sanitation, including zero-rated tax on water treatment chemicals and plans to strengthen governance and regulation. Copper Sector Policy: Zambia unveils sweeping tax reforms to end “double taxation” and support a push toward 3Mt copper production by 2031, with royalties aligned to international standards. ZAMPOST Retirees Paid: Government releases K48m for terminal benefits for former ZAMPOST employees under a first-retired, first-paid approach. Health Aid Transparency: Human Rights Watch alleges the US is conditioning health funding on access to surveillance data and extractive rights to pathogen samples, with Zambia linked to a minerals-related deal. Tech in Agriculture: IMIC-Africa expands maize breeding partnerships to deliver resilient, locally adapted seed for climate-stressed farmers. Regional Tech & Trade: Zimbabwe-Zambia ties are elevated via a Bi-National Commission, with a Lusaka services business mission running June 9–11 to unlock partnerships.

Digital Sovereignty: Zambia signs an MoU with Huawei to use AI infrastructure for digital government services across 25 ministries, including a co-invested national data centre to keep critical data local. Public Health & NCD Care: CIDRZ and the Ministry of Health review progress on strengthening non-communicable disease care through the PEN Plus Programme, highlighting improved access to specialised treatment across Zambia. Infectious Disease Labs: JICA and Ghana’s Noguchi Institute train eight healthcare professionals from six countries (including Zambia) in modern lab skills, covering virology, bacteriology, parasitology, and lab quality and safety. Wildlife Conservation: Zambia joins KAZA TFCA’s joint management committee in Victoria Falls as ministers push a united regional stance on elephant conservation and elephant product trade. Energy-Climate Risk: A new study warns Africa’s solar power pools face rising “synchronization risk” under climate change, threatening regional grid resilience. Health Aid Transparency: Human Rights Watch alleges US health agreements with African countries are tied to “troubling conditions,” including access to sensitive health data and pathogen samples. STEM Talent & Learning: IMIC-Africa expands maize breeding partnerships to develop faster, resilient, locally adapted seed for climate-stressed farmers.

Digital Sovereignty: Zambia deepens its digital sovereignty push with a Huawei AI partnership, including co-investment to build a national data centre so critical government data stays in-country while powering AI-backed digital public services. NCD Care Upgrade: CIDRZ, the Ministry of Health, and partners reviewed progress in strengthening non-communicable disease care through the PEN Plus Programme, highlighting improved access to specialised treatment since rollout began in 2022. Infectious Disease Lab Skills: JICA and Ghana’s Noguchi Memorial Institute train eight healthcare professionals from six African countries (including Zambia) in modern lab technology, with modules covering parasitology, bacteriology, virology and lab quality and biosafety. Wildlife Conservation Diplomacy: Zambia joins regional efforts through KAZA TFCA’s joint management meeting in Victoria Falls, with Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe aligning on elephant conservation and the long-running push around sustainable elephant product trade. US Health Aid Scrutiny: Human Rights Watch flags concerns that US bilateral health agreements condition aid on broad access to surveillance data and pathogen samples, raising privacy and fairness worries. Energy & Climate Risk: A study warns Africa’s solar power pools face rising synchronization risk under climate change, threatening regional power reliability when multiple countries hit low-output days together.

Democracy Under Pressure: A new ISS Today analysis warns Zambia’s peaceful record could be tested in the 13 August 2026 polls, with concerns about ECZ performance, opposition fragmentation, and alleged political manoeuvring shaping voter trust. Satellite Internet Watch: Zimbabwe’s ICT ministry says it expects Starlink licensing by end of July, a move that could reshape fixed broadband competition as connectivity remains a barrier to private sector growth. Youth & Policy Advocacy: Zambia’s youth are urged to use social media to push positive change and help domesticate SADC frameworks on child marriage and related reforms. Infectious Disease Lab Skills: Zambia is among six countries training biomedical scientists and lab technicians in modern diagnostics and surveillance for emerging outbreaks, supported by JICA and led by Ghana’s NMIMR. Biomass & Forest Stress: A new study across several African countries, including Zambia, links charcoal and fuelwood dependence to rising forest loss and health risks, driven by growing urban demand. Hydropower Standards: Zambia and Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River Authority joins the International Hydropower Association to strengthen dam safety, research access, and investor confidence for major projects. AI Governance Push: A continent-wide push highlights the need for strong AI governance frameworks as more countries, including Zambia, roll out national AI strategies.

Satellite Internet & Regulation: Zimbabwe’s telecom ministry hints it expects Starlink licensing to be finalised by end of July, with the service likely complementing mobile operators rather than directly replacing them. Clean Cooking & Forests: A new study warns charcoal and fuelwood—still dominant in Zambia and other countries—are driving forest loss and health risks as urban demand pushes extraction deeper. AI Governance: ADHERE argues Africa needs a strong AI governance framework to harness technology safely and effectively. STEM for Food Security: Zambia launches the Presidential Irrigation Initiative for Schools, linking irrigation, STEM learning, and entrepreneurship to strengthen school feeding and resilience to drought. Infectious Disease Lab Skills: Biomedical scientists and lab technicians from six African countries, including Zambia, train in modern diagnostics and surveillance for emerging outbreaks. ICT Exports Push: Malawi’s Sparc Systems unveils a blueprint to scale ICT services exports across Africa, showing how digital firms can earn forex. Hydropower Standards: ZRA joins the International Hydropower Association to benchmark projects like Kariba rehabilitation and Batoka Gorge against global safety and sustainability norms. Tech & Infrastructure Services: Smart Hands Africa signs as an authorised Supermicro services partner, expanding installation, support, and maintenance across multiple African markets including Zambia.

AI Governance: Africa needs a strong AI governance framework to harness technology safely and effectively. AI-Energy Nexus: Mining leaders are positioning copper and uranium as the backbone for AI data centres and power-hungry growth. Education Reform: Ghana’s push for learner-centred classrooms is colliding with overcrowding, limited materials, and exams that still reward memorisation. Child Online Protection & Media Safety (Zambia): Zambia’s child online protection strategy (2025–2029) targets digital literacy and harmful content, while broadcasters face calls for tougher enforcement to protect minors. STEM & Food Security (Zambia): Government launches the Presidential Irrigation Initiative for Schools to boost food security and hands-on STEM learning through school irrigation. Health Lab Capacity (Zambia): Biomedical lab scientists from six African countries, including Zambia, train to strengthen infectious disease diagnostics and surveillance. ICT Infrastructure (Zambia): MTN Zambia partners with Huawei to launch a multi-band 5G indoor network. Rights & Tech Policy (Zambia): Zambia cancels RightsCon 2026, raising concerns about how human rights discussions are handled in the digital space.

Zambia STEM & food security: Government launched the Presidential Irrigation Initiative for Schools in Lusaka, aiming to boost food security, strengthen school feeding, and expand STEM learning through hands-on water management, agriculture production, tech application and entrepreneurship. Zambia tourism tech push: President Hakainde Hichilema opened ZATEX 2026, stressing tourism’s role in jobs and diversification, with targets of 2.5m visitors and $1bn revenue, plus upgrades to park access roads and a “Visit Zambia” push. Regional health lab capacity (Zambia included): Biomedical scientists and lab technicians from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zambia completed a training in modern laboratory technology to improve infectious-disease diagnostics and surveillance after Ebola concerns. Hydropower standards upgrade (Zambia/Zimbabwe): Zambezi River Authority joined the International Hydropower Association, aiming to benchmark Kariba rehabilitation and the Batoka Gorge project against global safety and sustainability standards. ICT exports momentum (Malawi, but relevant to the region): Sparc Systems unveiled a roadmap to scale Malawi’s ICT services exports across Africa, citing growth from about $70m (2020) to $154m (2023). Tech governance & youth: Zambia’s RightsCon cancellation is linked to administrative/security concerns, with critics warning about limits on digital human-rights discussions.

Zambia Tech & Policy: Government launched the Presidential Irrigation Initiative for Schools in Lusaka, linking food security with STEM and hands-on learning in water management, agriculture production, and technology/entrepreneurship for learners. ICT & Exports: Sparc Systems unveiled a roadmap to scale Malawi’s ICT services exports across Africa, citing growth from about US$70m (2020) to US$154m (2023) and pushing local platforms in finance, agriculture, education, HR and CRM. Energy & Infrastructure: ZRA joined the International Hydropower Association, aiming to bring global best practices to Kariba Dam rehabilitation and the Batoka Gorge project, including benchmarking on safety and community impact. Tech Services: Smart Hands Africa signed up as an authorised Services Partner for Supermicro, offering installation, break-fix support, maintenance and consulting across multiple African markets including Zambia. Digital Rights: Zambia’s cancellation of RightsCon 2026 is being framed as a setback for tech and human rights dialogue in the digital space. Health Tech & Research: Zambia is among countries mentioned in regional health-policy shifts, while Kenya and others push coordinated Ebola preparedness plans.

Zambia Tech & Policy: Zambia’s Presidential Irrigation Initiative for Schools is rolling out in Lusaka, aiming to boost food security while expanding STEM learning through hands-on water management, agriculture production, tech application and entrepreneurship—positioning schools as learning and innovation hubs. Digital & Telecom: MTN Zambia and Huawei have completed a commercial deployment of Huawei’s multi-band LampSite 5G indoor solution at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, targeting faster, more reliable indoor connectivity for high-traffic venues. Energy & Industry: Koryx Copper says it has advanced planning for its Haib Copper Project in Namibia, signing a NamPower grid deal and progressing water supply plans as it moves toward a pre-feasibility study. Regional Tech Governance: Zambia’s RightsCon 2026 cancellation is being linked to concerns over administrative/security clearances and topic moderation, reigniting debate on how digital human-rights events are handled. STEM Talent & Data Work: Infotrak Research & Consulting has opened recruitment for enumerators and field supervisors across 16 counties, requiring CAPI platform skills and data-collection experience. Health Tech & Safety: A regional forum in Nairobi is discussing safe use of nuclear and radiation technologies in healthcare, with Zambia among participating countries.

5G Indoor Upgrade in Zambia: MTN Zambia and Huawei have completed the world’s first commercial deployment of Huawei’s multi-band LampSite 5G indoor solution at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, combining five bands in one system to boost capacity and speeds for high-traffic venues. Energy Transition Minerals in SADC: A new five-year SADC project launched in Lusaka aims to keep cobalt, lithium, manganese, nickel and platinum group metals value in the region through responsible, inclusive beneficiation and local jobs (2026–2031). Copper Processing Relief: Zambia extended a 10% export duty suspension on copper concentrates until September 30, easing pressure from smelter maintenance and processing constraints. Health Tech & Medicines Supply: Zambia’s Ministry of Health received a bulk medicines consignment from Egypt via ZAMMSA, with plans to use digital tracking to speed distribution to underserved areas. Analytical Chemistry Training: Armscor is hosting 21 scientists from 16 African countries in Pretoria for a Chemical Weapons Convention-linked analytical chemistry course, focused on practical lab skills and collaboration. HIV Prevention Rollout (Regional): South Africa’s Ramaphosa is set to launch Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention, targeting 360 clinics.

Nuclear & Radiation Safety: Senior health officials from nine African countries, including Zambia, met in Nairobi to strengthen safe use of nuclear and radiation technologies in healthcare, with regulators and IAEA officials pushing for shared action plans. Copper Policy: Zambia extended a 10% export duty suspension on copper concentrates to Sept 30, easing pressure from smelter maintenance and processing constraints. Critical Minerals Push: UN ECA launched a €15m SADC project in Lusaka to build environmentally and socially responsible, decarbonised critical minerals value chains across the region, including Zambia. Healthcare Supply Chain: Zambia received a bulk medicines consignment from Egypt via ZAMMSA, with the Ministry of Health urging digital tracking and faster distribution to underserved areas. STEM in Schools: Merck and the University of Zambia’s Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on synthetic biology experiments to students in Zambia, aiming to spark future STEM careers. Mobile Connectivity & Leadership: MTN announced a continental executive reshuffle affecting MTN Zambia’s CEO role as it drives “Ambition 2030.” Agritech Investment: Serbian firm FPM Agromehanika plans to open a Lusaka assembly plant for agricultural machinery and attachments across Southern Africa.

Agri-Industry Investment: Serbian firm FPM Agromehanika will open an agricultural machinery assembly plant in Lusaka, aiming to serve Zambia and export attachments across Southern Africa while building local farmer capacity. Humanitarian Logistics Training: DHL launched the DHL Academy of Humanitarian Logistics (DAHL) across Sub-Saharan Africa to cut customs delays and improve safety for aid delivery. Copper Policy Update: Zambia extended a 10% export-duty waiver on copper concentrates to Sept 30, easing pressure from smelter maintenance and processing constraints. STEM Outreach in Zambia: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on synthetic biology lessons to Zambian students, linking learners with local STEM mentors from the University of Zambia. Rural Power Expansion: REA handed over 85 grid extension projects worth K463m to Zesco, targeting initial connections for 15,232 households. Health Tech Research: CIDRZ shared results on reflex MTB/XDR testing feasibility in Zambia’s TB surge, highlighting faster detection beyond rifampicin-only methods. Critical Minerals Value Chains: UN ECA launched a €15m SADC project in Lusaka to support decarbonised, inclusive critical minerals value chains from 2026–2031. Education Finance: HELSB recovered over K1.01bn in student loans (2018–2026) and is considering extending loans to private universities.

STEM in Zambia: Merck and the University of Zambia’s Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on synthetic biology lessons to 447 students across Lusaka and beyond, using Cubelets and magnetic puzzles to spark future STEM careers. Rural electrification: Zambia’s Rural Electrification Authority handed over 85 completed grid extension projects worth K463m to Zesco, targeting initial connections for 15,232 households. Health tech for TB: CIDRZ presented findings on reflex MTB/XDR testing in Zambia, showing 8.5% drug-resistant TB among confirmed cases and that many would be missed by rifampicin-only approaches. Education finance: HELSB recovered over K1.01bn in student loan repayments from former public university students (2018–2026), citing digitised processes and more flexible repayment terms. Critical minerals push: UN ECA launched a €15m SADC project in Lusaka to strengthen environmentally and socially responsible, decarbonised critical minerals value chains across the region. Digital rights in Zambia: Zambia postponed RightsCon, citing “national values” and “broader public interest,” amid claims of foreign interference. Higher education warning (Ghana, incl. Zambia-listed): Ghana’s GTEC flagged 70 unrecognised tertiary institutions operating across multiple countries, urging students to verify accreditation before enrolling.

Critical Minerals & Energy Transition: UN ECA launched a €15m, five-year project in Lusaka to strengthen environmentally and socially responsible critical minerals value chains across SADC, aiming to move countries from extraction to value addition. Rural Power Rollout: Zambia’s Rural Electrification Authority handed over 85 completed K463m grid extension projects to Zesco, targeting initial connections for 15,232 households. National AI Capacity: Zambia and Huawei signed an MoU to build a National AI Data Centre and train 5,000 ICT professionals, pushing local skills for the next wave of digital services. Student Finance: HELSB recovered over K1.01bn in student loans from former public university students (2018–2026), citing improved recovery systems and digitised applications, with plans to consider extending loans to private universities. Health Tech & Diagnostics: CIDRZ presented findings on reflex MTB/XDR testing in Zambia, highlighting faster detection of drug-resistant TB beyond rifampicin-only approaches. Humanitarian Tech & Care: A Chinese medical team donated supplies and provided free care to refugees in Lusaka via a UNHCR outreach programme. Clean Cooking Finance: AfDB announced a new clean cooking programme to support about one million households across Africa and cut millions of tonnes of CO2.

China-Africa People-to-People: A viral “Song of Chambishi” spotlights Zambian miners and the Sino-Zambian NFC Africa Mining joint venture’s jobs and infrastructure push. Humanitarian Health: A 26th Chinese medical team donated supplies and delivered free care to refugees at Lusaka’s Makeni Refugee Transit Centre with UNHCR ahead of World Refugee Day. Student Finance: HELSB says it has recovered over K1.01bn in loans from former public university students (2018–2026), with digitised applications and more flexible repayment terms. STEM Outreach: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on synthetic biology lessons to Pretoria schools, aiming to spark STEM careers. Ebola Preparedness: Africa CDC warns that lack of licensed tools for the Bundibugyo strain and intense cross-border movement put Zambia and neighbours at high risk. Social Protection Policy: Zambia’s Ministry calls for resilient social protection systems across Africa to tackle poverty, shocks and public health emergencies. Energy & Power: Zambia is pushing for practical Korea-Africa cooperation beyond pledges, while ZCCM-IH backs a 600MW thermal plant to shore up baseload power. Rural Connectivity: Government begins K230m feeder roads in Rufunsa and Luangwa under a World Bank-supported project. Youth SRHR: CIDRZ trained peer educators to integrate SRHR and CBIM approaches in schools and communities.

Zambia–Korea Talks: Zambia is pushing South Korea to turn pledges into action, asking for financing, industrial investment and tech partnerships as Seoul expands Africa engagement, with Lusaka pointing to critical minerals and green growth opportunities. Energy Security: ZCCM-IH has agreed terms for a 600MW thermal power plant in Sinazongwe to cut Zambia’s baseload gap and reduce drought-linked hydro risk, with development in phases. Rural Connectivity: Government has started feeder roads worth K230m in Rufunsa and Luangwa under a World Bank-backed rural connectivity project, alongside community works like boreholes and bus shelters. Digital Fraud Watch: South Africa tops the region for suspected digital fraud rates, with generative AI expected to boost the scale and sophistication of scams—an urgent reminder for Zambia’s online safety push. Ebola Risk Alert: Africa CDC warns that lack of licensed vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain and heavy cross-border movement could drive wider Ebola spread, listing Zambia among high-risk countries. Health Research Funding: Zambia will benefit from a new Thanzi Programme grant to expand health systems research and policy capacity, linking universities and ministries across Southern and Eastern Africa. Education Integrity: Zambia is mentioned in a wider regional warning after Ghana’s tertiary regulator flagged 70 unrecognised institutions, urging due diligence on qualifications.