AGP Executive Report

Critical Minerals for Jobs: UN chief António Guterres launched a Country Support Mechanism to help mineral-rich developing nations—including Zambia—turn clean-energy minerals into local jobs, with technical help for governance, processing and community/environment protection. IMF Reform Push: The IMF urged African countries to speed up reforms, strengthen macro stability and deepen regional integration to better handle shocks. Climate Transition Pressure: Guterres called for clear timelines to move away from fossil fuels, warning emissions keep rising despite the need for climate justice and faster action. Power for the Lobito Corridor: USTDA signed a feasibility-study deal to expand hydropower and upgrade electricity distribution in Zambia and DRC, aiming to boost reliability for copper/cobalt mining and millions of residents. Zambia’s Electricity Reality Check: Afrobarometer data shows fewer than one in 10 people in Zambia report reliable grid power, with many turning to alternatives like solar. Agriculture Biologics Boost: Syngenta expanded its biologicals research mandate, pushing more farm-ready biological solutions through testing and training. Health Systems Beyond TB: Stakeholders urged integrated long-term care for TB survivors in sub-Saharan Africa, including post-tuberculosis lung disease support. Yango Fellowship (Zambia in the mix): Yango’s pan-African fellowship wrapped with 24 fellows from six countries, including Zambia, pitching locally rooted tech solutions. Copper Processing Moves: Konkola Copper Mines says it’s building a new smelter in Zambia with major added capacity, awarded to Chinese firm NERIN.

Power Access Reality Check: Afrobarometer data shows fewer than half of Africans get electricity that works reliably; in Zambia only 4% report reliable grid power, with rural and poor households hit hardest. Lobito Corridor Power Boost: The US USTDA will fund a feasibility study with Anzana Electric Group to expand hydropower and upgrade distribution across Zambia and DRC, targeting more reliable power for mining and over 3 million residents. Zambia’s Digital Security Push: Zambia launches its National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI) under ZICTA, supported by Altron Security, to enable secure digital signatures and paperless public services. Copper Value-Add Moves: Konkola Copper Mines says it’s building a new smelter in Zambia adding 70,000 tonnes/year, awarded to NERIN, as the mine ramps back up after a shutdown. Critical Minerals Industry Angle: A new piece highlights Africa’s critical-mineral reserves and the gap in local processing—resources are there, but value creation needs infrastructure and skills. Climate & Farming Voices: MATI releases “El Niño: Voices of the Farmers,” with first-hand accounts from smallholders in India and Zambia on how the 2026 season is unfolding. Health Policy Focus: Stakeholders urge integrated long-term care for TB survivors facing post-treatment lung disease, not just short-term TB cure. Tech Talent Pipeline: Yango Fellowship 2026 graduates 24 fellows from six countries, including Zambia, pitching locally rooted tech for payments, health supply visibility, and water testing.

Border Tech & Trade: Zimbabwe secured financing for the Chirundu border post modernisation with Zambia under a PPP, with construction expected to start in October and take about 18 months—aimed at cutting congestion at a key Copperbelt trade gateway. Cyber Trust for Zambia: Zambia launched its National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI) in Lusaka under ZICTA, with Altron Security support, to enable secure digital signatures and safer paperless public services and online transactions. Fintech in the Region: KCB revealed it will acquire a 22.23% stake in Pesapal, strengthening its push into digital payments across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia. AI for Impact (Zambia in the mix): Yango Fellowship 2026 wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows from six countries, including Zambia, pitching locally rooted tech for transport payments, digital identity, health supply visibility, jobs, waste and water testing. Skills & Industry Pipeline: WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 opened with a major ceremony, spotlighting hands-on technical training that feeds future engineering and manufacturing talent. Energy Reality Check: A Zambia energy op-ed warns that installed electricity capacity doesn’t equal dependable, deliverable power for mines and industry—urging focus on grid performance, not just megawatts.

Digital Identity & Payments: Yango Fellowship 2026 wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows from six countries (including Zambia) pitching solutions for cashless transport, digital financial identity for informal merchants, medicine supply visibility, cross-border job matching, smart waste recycling, and low-cost water testing. Cybersecurity Infrastructure: Zambia launched its National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI) in Lusaka under ZICTA, backed by Altron Security, to enable secure digital signatures and safer public-sector and online transactions. Energy Reliability Debate: A Zambia-focused commentary warns that installed electricity capacity doesn’t equal dependable power, and dependable power doesn’t always reach mines and households—highlighting the deliverability gap as copper targets rise. Copper, Climate & Land Risk: A wider analysis links the copper boom for renewables and AI to growing pressure on wildlands, water stress, and biodiversity loss. Fintech Expansion: KCB Group is set to acquire a 22.23% stake in Pesapal, strengthening its push into digital payments across East Africa including Zambia. Startup & Remittances: Golden Swift Money Transfer (Zambia) reports seed funding and compliance upgrades with support from FasterCapital and EquityPilot as it prepares for rollout. Trade & Tourism Tech: WTM Africa 2027 buyer registration is open for 7–9 April 2027 in Cape Town, with Zambia among Southern Africa markets listed.

Education & Skills: ZANEC says Zambia’s free education push must shift from access to better learning by funding the sector properly and releasing money on time, warning that enrolment gains have strained teachers, classrooms and materials. Agritech Training: China-backed agricultural mechanization training in Lusaka is equipping 40 Zambian officials and technicians with modern machinery, irrigation, conservation tillage, new energy uses and post-harvest tech. Connectivity for Households: Liquid Intelligent Technologies launches a new K300 “Liquid Home” package and boosts enhanced 4G options to make faster internet more affordable for homes, students and small businesses. Mining Tech: First Quantum highlights its Quantum Electra-Haul electric trolley-assist system, claiming major diesel savings and faster haulage at Kansanshi and Sentinel. Copper Value Chain: KCM awards Nerin Engineering an EPC contract for a tailings leach plant at Chingola to recover copper from existing tailings, aiming to add major capacity. Digital Finance & Payments: Golden Swift Money Transfer reports progress on compliance and rollout readiness with FasterCapital support, while KCB’s planned 22.23% stake in Pesapal signals continued fintech investment across the region. AI in Local Languages: Global AI groups back a five-year push to let 3.4bn people use AI in their own languages and voices. Conservation Tech & Data: World Rhino Day spotlights poaching pressure and species-by-species recovery differences, underscoring the need for smarter protection and monitoring.

Mining Tech & ESG: First Quantum says its patented Quantum Electra-Haul electric trolley-assist system is cutting diesel use by up to 90% at Kansanshi and Sentinel, boosting efficiency and safety for Zambia’s haulage. Copper Recovery Deal: Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) awarded China’s NERIN Engineering a $498m EPC contract for a tailings leach plant at Chingola to recover ~70,000 tonnes of copper a year—aimed at turning legacy waste into new capacity. AI Access in Local Languages: A global coalition of 60 signatories launched a five-year push to help 3.4bn people use AI in their own language and voice, tackling the “low-resource language” gap. Connectivity for Zambians: Liquid Intelligent Technologies introduced a new K300 Liquid Home package and enhanced 4G options to make faster internet more affordable across Zambia. Digital Skills & Scholarships: Airtel Africa Foundation launched the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship for 50 UNZA and Copperbelt University first-year students, covering tuition, laptops, connectivity and stipends. Policy & Governance: Australia’s Andrew Leigh urged governments to fund only programmes that rigorous evaluation shows work—moving decisions beyond reports. Tech Talent Pipeline: Yango Fellowship selected fellows from six African countries (including Zambia) to build locally rooted solutions across payments, identity, health supply visibility and more. Public Safety & Health: South Africa faces renewed scrutiny after a spate of killings of women in Ekurhuleni, with authorities urging precautions while investigations continue.

Wildlife Ranger Challenge: Tusk and the Game Rangers Association of Africa held the 7th Wildlife Ranger Challenge at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, spotlighting the tough, dangerous work of rangers and raising support for ranger welfare across 21 African countries. Public Health & Food Safety: A new warning highlights how improperly processed cassava can release cyanide and trigger konzo, reinforcing the need for correct processing practices. Zambia Connectivity: Liquid Intelligent Technologies launched a new K300 Liquid Home fibre package and enhanced 4G MiFi/router options to make faster internet more affordable for homes, students, and small businesses. Copper Tailings Tech: Konkola Copper Mines signed a $498m EPC deal with China’s NERIN Engineering to build a copper recovery plant in Chingola, targeting about 70,000 tonnes of copper per year from existing tailings—an ESG and execution test for water, power, and permitting. Research & Labs: CIDRZ Central Laboratory hosted an open day to showcase Zambia’s research capabilities and how lab services support studies from planning to testing and data reporting. Wildlife Science: GPS-tracked African wild dog brothers completed a record 4,126km trek across Zambia to find mates, underscoring the need for protected corridors.

Connectivity in Zambia: Liquid Intelligent Technologies launched a new K300 Liquid Home fibre package and enhanced 4G MiFi/router options to make high-speed internet more affordable for households, students, entrepreneurs and small businesses. Mining tailings to copper: Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) signed a $498m EPC deal with China’s NERIN Engineering to build a hydrometallurgical tailings recovery plant at Chingola, targeting about 70,000 tonnes of additional copper per year—an ESG-style test of turning environmental liabilities into productive capacity. Digital policy in Zambia: TICON Africa is set for 23–25 September in Livingstone, focusing on AI rollout, digital governance, cybersecurity, and building an ICT talent pipeline. Wildlife science with Zambia links: A study reports three African wild dog brothers travelled 4,126 km across Zambia to connect with females, highlighting the need to protect connected wildlife corridors. Health research infrastructure: CIDRZ Central Laboratory held an Open Day on “Discover. Connect. Collaborate,” showcasing Zambia’s research testing and sample-management capabilities for better local health outcomes. Tech & telecom regulation regionally: Rwanda’s RURA visited Tanzania’s TCRA to exchange best practices on regulating and developing the communications sector.

Connectivity & Trade Corridors: UNDP says Africa’s landlocked economies can become “land-linked” by using technology and coordinated transport modes to unlock trade corridors under AfCFTA. Wildlife Crime & Reintegration: Wildlife Crime Prevention Zambia reports opportunity drives wildlife crime and backs inmate support to plan legal income after release. Telecom Investment: EXIM Bank approved a US$99.6m loan to Africell for Angola network upgrades using advanced mobile tech to boost coverage and competition. Copper Tailings Recovery: KCM signed a US$498m EPC deal with China’s NERIN Engineering to build a Chingola wet-leach plant targeting ~70,000 tonnes of annual copper from tailings. Air Quality Tech: Uganda-founded AirQo is a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for low-cost monitors, open data and AI to track pollution in African cities. Zambia Research Capacity: CIDRZ Central Laboratory held an open day on “Discover. Connect. Collaborate,” showcasing lab services supporting health research across Zambia. Digital Access: Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zambia launched an entry-level FTTH package at ZMK 300/month with speeds up to 6 Mbps. AI Policy Watch: The Trump administration plans a UN General Assembly AI event alongside AI security discussions at the UN.

AI Policy at the UN: The Trump administration plans a high-level AI event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with discussion on policy, legal and regulatory conditions for safe adoption at scale. Clean Air Tech: Uganda-founded AirQo has been named a finalist for the 2026 Earthshot Prize for using low-cost air monitors, open data and AI to close Africa’s air-quality data gap. Copper Processing Deal: Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) signed a $498m EPC contract with China’s NERIN Engineering to build a hydrometallurgical tailings leach plant in Chingola, targeting about 70,000 tonnes of copper per year. Digital Connectivity in Zambia: Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zambia launched an entry-level fibre package at ZMK 300/month with speeds up to 6 Mbps to boost internet access. Health Research Infrastructure: CIDRZ Central Laboratory held an open day to showcase Zambia’s lab capabilities and services supporting research from planning to testing and data reporting. Wildlife Science: GPS-tracked African wild dog brothers completed a record 4,126 km dispersal across Zambia, highlighting the need to protect connected habitats. Tech & Skills in Zambia: TICON Africa returns to Livingstone (23–25 Sept) focusing on AI, cybersecurity, digital governance and building an ICT talent pipeline.

Mining & Industry: Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has signed a $498m EPC deal with China’s NERIN Engineering to build a hydrometallurgical copper tailings leach plant in Chingola, targeting about 70,000 tonnes of copper per year and supporting Vedanta’s push to lift KCM output toward 300,000 tonnes annually. Science & Health Infrastructure: CIDRZ Central Laboratory held an open day to showcase Zambia’s research capabilities, from study planning and sample handling to testing and data reporting, positioning the lab as a strategic partner for local health research. Digital Access: Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zambia launched an entry-level fibre-to-the-home package starting at ZMK 300 per month, aiming to widen internet access and raise speeds across its FTTH portfolio. AI Policy Watch: The Trump administration plans a high-level UN General Assembly-side event on AI, focusing on adoption at scale and the policy/legal conditions for responsible deployment. Wildlife Research: GPS-tracked African wild dog brothers completed a record-breaking 4,126km dispersal across Zambia, highlighting the need to protect connected wildlife corridors. Tech & Skills in Zambia: TICON Africa returns to Livingstone (23–25 Sept) with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, digital governance and building an Africa-wide talent pipeline.

Copper Tech & EPC: Vedanta’s Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) signed a $498m deal with China’s NERIN Engineering to build a copper tailings treatment plant in Chingola, targeting 70,000 tons of annual output and improved resource efficiency—another big signal for Zambia’s critical-minerals push. Digital Access in Zambia: Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zambia launched an entry-level fibre plan at ZMK 300/month (up to 6 Mbps) to widen home internet access as the country works to close the digital divide. Regulation & Telecoms: Zambia’s regulator ZICTA cancelled Beeline Telecoms’ operating licences, while separate coverage also flags Zed Mobile licence cancellation—another reminder that telecom rules are tightening. AI & ICT Events: TICON Africa returns to Livingstone (23–25 Sept) with a focus on practical AI rollout, digital governance, cybersecurity, and skills pipelines. Wildlife Science (Zambia): African wild dogs set a record trek—nearly 2,500 miles across Zambia—highlighting the need to protect connected wildlife corridors. Health Tech Angle: WHO says childhood cancer survival hinges on medicine access, not just new treatments, with stockouts of key drugs still hitting many hospitals. Youth & STEM: NUST capped 2,570 graduands, with 68% in STEM and rising female participation, reinforcing Zambia’s push for homegrown science and engineering talent.

Mobile Internet Affordability: A new GSMA report says an entry-level internet-enabled smartphone now costs about 76% of average monthly income in sub-Saharan Africa, keeping millions offline as handset component prices rise. STEM Graduation Push: President Mnangagwa capped 2,570 graduates at NUST, with 68% taking STEM degrees and female participation rising to 47% (52% in the August intake). Childhood Cancer Medicines: WHO and partners launched a strategy to improve access to childhood cancer drugs, warning that stockouts of key chemotherapy medicines can derail survival rates in low- and middle-income countries. ZICTA vs Zedmobile: Zambia’s telecom regulator cancelled Beeline Telecoms’ (Zedmobile) licences after repeated regulatory, operational and financial failures—sparking questions about the investment climate for local firms. Health Workforce Crisis: A Zambia-focused piece argues doctors are dying at alarmingly high rates in the WHO Africa region, driven by systemic pressures including HIV/AIDS. Dementia Care Gap: WHO says dementia is rising across Africa, with 1.9 million people affected and no national dementia plans in any of the 47 countries as of 2024. Gold Traceability Plan: Zambia’s Mines ministry says it’s engaging an institution to build a technology-based traceability system to curb illegal gold mining. Wildlife Research: GPS-tracked African wild dog brothers dispersed across Zambia for 4,126 km, the longest recorded dispersal by an African mammal, while other collared dogs died in snares.

Telecom Regulation: ZICTA has cancelled Beeline Telecoms’ (Zedmobile) network and service licences in Zambia, citing repeated failure to meet regulatory, operational and financial milestones, with the revocation taking effect 15 September. Local Business Impact: NFF president Ronnie Jere says the move raises bigger questions about the investment environment for Zambian-owned firms competing against multinationals, while ZICTA insists all operators must meet licence conditions and quality standards. Mining Traceability: Zambia’s Ministry of Mines says it is engaging an institution to build a gold traceability system to identify where gold deposits are, aiming to curb illegal mining and support safer mining training in areas like Solwezi, Mufumbwe, Mpika and Kabwe. Wildlife Tech for Conservation: GPS-collared research tracked three African wild dog brothers dispersing across Zambia for 4,126 km, the longest recorded dispersal by an African mammal, while other collared dogs were lost to snares. Digital Transformation: KOAFEC in Seoul put AI and digital infrastructure at the centre of Africa-Korea cooperation, pushing an implementation-focused action plan for 2027–2028. Finance & Tech Adoption: ZANACO reports a 1% dip in after-tax profit to K868m, attributing it to higher operating expenses tied to technology, human capital and marketing for digital uptake.

Wildlife Science in Zambia: New tracking research shows three endangered African wild dog brothers made Africa’s longest recorded single mammal journey, dispersing from Kafue National Park to the Luangwa Valley over more than 2,500 miles (4,100km) and highlighting how human expansion and snares threaten connectivity. Mining & Tech for Investors: Prospect Resources reports phase 3 drilling success at Mumbezhi and high-grade copper intercepts at Nyungu Central, with diamond rigs operating and results aimed at extending resources beyond the current estimate. Critical Minerals Mapping: Zambia’s high-resolution geophysical survey is 93.6% complete and set to finish in December, promising a clearer “modern picture” of the ground for exploration, alongside mining regulatory reforms. Energy & Power Infrastructure: EnerSynk Group signs a 25-year PPA with ZESCO for a 500MW solar project in the Copperbelt, pushing Zambia’s electricity security and private investment agenda. ICT Regulation: ZICTA cancels Beeline Telecoms’ Zedmobile licences for regulatory breaches, with refunds planned for affected customers. Health Systems & Delivery: The TRAILS project completes finance and procurement site visits across all ten provinces to strengthen accountability and compliance in laboratory service delivery.

Zambia Mining & Policy Update: Zambia’s nationwide high-resolution geophysical survey is 93.6% complete and is set to finish in December, aiming to give investors a clearer picture of the country’s mineral potential, alongside reforms like the Minerals Regulation Commission and a Mining Appeals Tribunal to speed up disputes. Regulation & Telecoms: ZICTA has cancelled Zed Mobile (Beeline Telecoms) network and service licences for persistent regulatory, operational and financial breaches, with refunds and customer support expected during the wind-down. Energy & Solar Investment: EnerSynk Group signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with ZESCO for a 500MW utility-scale solar project in the Copperbelt, planned in phases to feed Zambia’s national grid. Governance & Mining Tensions: The Chinese Embassy in Zambia rejected claims from a Transparency International Zambia report on governance risks in Chinese mining, citing taxes paid, jobs created and local procurement. Tech & Connectivity: Airtel Africa launched Starlink Mobile in the DRC, enabling compatible smartphones to use satellite connectivity without buying a dish. Health & Safety: A World Patient Safety Day piece highlights gaps in safe paediatric anaesthesia and the need to strengthen child surgical care systems. Wildlife Research: New research tracks African wild dogs dispersing over 4,000km across Zambia and neighbouring countries, underscoring how connected landscapes help endangered populations survive.