AGP Executive Report

Engineering Mobility: Zambia’s Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) says Zambian engineers can now practise in 25 jurisdictions after Zambia achieved Provisional Signatory Status to the Washington Accord, boosting prospects for exporting engineering services. Digital Sovereignty & AI: Zambia deepens its digital sovereignty push with a Huawei AI partnership, signalling more local AI capability building. Debt & Public Finance: Zambia’s Eurobond buyback hit a 97.85% participation rate; CTPD notes the result is promising but says a full net present value check is still needed to confirm net savings. Anti-Corruption Cooperation: Zambia’s Anti-Corruption Commission delegation wraps a study visit to Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor, focusing on investigative methods, digital forensics, asset recovery and prosecution strategy. Agritech & Resilience: Nakonde farmers are being urged to use post-harvest training and modern storage methods to cut losses and protect yields under climate pressure. STEM in the Community: Livingstone Museum’s “Frogs of Zambia” exhibition highlights frogs’ role in pregnancy testing and their value as environmental bio-indicators. Regional Tech Talent: Talentz MEDIA is recruiting volunteer entertainment writers, researchers and contributors across Africa, including Zambia.

Science & Museums: Livingstone Museum’s “Frogs of Zambia” exhibition shows how local frogs have been used in pregnancy testing and highlights their role as environmental bio-indicators, with the display running until Sept 5. Engineering & Mobility: Zambia’s engineering recognition under the Washington Accord means Zambian engineers can practise in 25 jurisdictions without extra accreditation hurdles, boosting exports of engineering services. Digital Governance & Corruption: Zambia’s Anti-Corruption Commission delegation wraps a study visit to Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor, focusing on investigative methods, asset recovery, digital forensics, and prosecution strategies. AI & Policy Tension: Zambia’s RightsCon was postponed after claims of pressure tied to Taiwanese participation and censorship concerns, raising questions about how foreign funding can shape digital rights. Agritech & Food Systems: Nakonde farmers are being urged to use post-harvest training and modern storage methods to cut losses, including polythene-lined bags for safer, faster use. Energy & Industry: Tazara marks its 50th anniversary with a shift from “Uhuru Railway” legacy to a transformation agenda aimed at turning the corridor into an economic opportunity.

Engineering Recognition: Zambia’s Engineering Institution of Zambia says Zambian engineers can now practise in 25 jurisdictions without extra accreditation after Zambia gained Provisional Signatory Status to the Washington Accord. AI for Business: MTN targets R30 billion in AI “value creation” over five years, starting with internal efficiency, then consumer and business AI services. Anti-Corruption Cooperation: Zambia’s ACC delegation concludes a study visit to Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor, focusing on investigative methods, digital forensics, asset recovery and prosecution strategy. Digital Governance: Libya adopts an AI Ethics Charter and launches a National AI Strategy 2026–2030 with 35 initiatives across governance, data, skills, innovation and monitoring. Zambia Tech & Policy: Zambia’s Eurobond buyback participation hits 97.85%, with analysts urging a full net present value check to confirm savings. Agritech Training: Nakonde farmers are urged to use post-harvest training on storage and handling to cut losses and improve yields. Startup Funding Pulse: Africa’s startup funding rebounded in May, with top deals concentrated in fintech, logistics and energy.

Zambia Eurobond update: The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) says Zambia’s Eurobond buyback hit a 97.85% participation rate, a strong sign of investor confidence, though it still calls for a full net present value check to confirm net savings. Digital security warning: Zambia Army cautions the public against misuse of social media and AI-generated content that could mislead people, inflame divisions, and threaten national peace. Agriculture tech push: In Nakonde, Muchinga, agriculture officials urged farmers to use post-harvest training and modern storage methods to cut losses, including polythene-lined bags that reduce spoilage and waiting times. Anti-corruption cooperation: Zambia’s Anti-Corruption Commission delegation wrapped a study visit to Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor, focusing on investigative techniques, asset recovery, digital forensics, and prosecution strategies. Party politics with a tech angle: PeP elected Eng. Chanda Katotobwe as president, promising poverty reduction through industrialisation, research and development. Startup funding signal: African startup funding rebounded in May, with top deals concentrated in fintech, logistics, and energy.

Digital Governance & Security: Zambia Army warns the public against misuse of social media and AI-generated content that could mislead people, inflame divisions, and threaten national peace. Debt & Capital Markets: CTPD backs Zambia’s Eurobond buyback, citing a 97.85% participation rate, while urging a full net present value check to confirm long-term savings. Agriculture Tech & Food Systems: Nakonde farmers are being urged to use post-harvest training on harvesting, winnowing, cleaning and storage to cut losses, including guidance on polythene-lined bags. AI in Daily Life: Google expands “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, bringing built-in AI search help to more users across Africa. Fintech for Low-Data Users: Bola Group launches Chatbet, a WhatsApp-native betting platform (first live market: Zambia) designed to avoid app downloads and heavy data use. Regional Tech/Trade: Zambia’s RightsCon delay is linked to pressure over digital-age human rights discussions, raising concerns about censorship tied to Chinese-funded infrastructure. Energy & Industry: Zambia’s PeP elects Eng. Chanda Katotobwe as president, with promises that include industrialisation, research and development.

Railway Modernisation: Tazara marks its 50th anniversary with a month-long “Tazara@50: From Liberation to Transformation” programme, reframing the Uhuru Railway as a modern economic corridor for regional trade. Debt Management: Zambia’s Eurobond buyback hit a 97.85% participation rate, with CTPD calling it a meaningful step toward improving debt strategy and lowering expensive debt. AI & Media Safety: Zambia Army warns of AI-generated misinformation on social media, urging the public to verify before sharing and avoid online incitement. Mining Data for Growth: Seequent highlights how modern subsurface modelling and data tools are helping mining firms turn older geological data into better exploration decisions. Forestry Reporting Gap: An African Forest Forum study flags weak science journalism coverage of forestry in Anglophone Africa, including Zambia, calling for stronger reporting capacity. Digital Access in Betting: Bola Group launches Chatbet, a WhatsApp-based betting platform starting in Zambia to cut data costs and reach more users. Water & Sanitation Tech: Government zero-rates water treatment chemicals to lower costs for utilities, while ZAWAFE spotlights innovations to expand safe water and sanitation. ZAMPOST Benefits: K48m has been released to pay ZAMPOST retirees’ terminal benefits on a first-retired, first-paid basis.

AI for Africa: Google has started rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, bringing built-in AI search and help to more African locales. Transport & environment: Mozambique’s Nacala Corridor upgrades are linked to faster deforestation, raising questions about how well mitigation measures are enforced. Copper outlook: Absa says a widening copper supply deficit could push development toward smaller deposits, as new mines take many years to reach production. Connectivity fight: Namibia’s regulator says it received 624 challenges to its Starlink licence denial, showing strong public demand in connectivity-poor regions. Zambia tech & innovation ties: Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati met China’s ambassador to explore cooperation in ICT, emerging technologies, training and research. Water tech policy: Zambia zero-rated water treatment chemicals to cut costs for utilities and expand access to safe water. Public health research: CIDRZ shared a HERPEZ pilot study using sequencing to map zoonotic pathogens in Zambia, flagging under-recognised risks at the human-animal interface. ZAMPOST retirees: Government released K48m for terminal benefits under the third phase of settling ZAMPOST obligations. Energy & climate: A new analysis warns “cooling poverty” is putting over 2 billion people at heat risk without safe, affordable cooling. Agritech in Zambia: A Petauke graphite survey is underway to assess critical-mineral potential and build local geoscience capacity.

ZDA Investment & Jobs: Zambia Development Agency says since 2021 to Q1 2026 the country recorded over $16bn in actualised investments and created 109,000+ jobs, with manufacturing leading (37,600) and mining next (23,265), while agriculture pulled in about $643m and 18,000+ jobs—fuelled by energy security and diversification. ZAMPOST Retirees Paid K48m: Government released K48m for terminal benefits to ZAMPOST retirees under a first-retired, first-paid plan, as part of the third phase of settling long-standing obligations. Water Tech Gets Tax Relief: Vice-President Mutale Nalumango says Zambia has zero-rated tax on water treatment chemicals to cut costs and expand access to safe drinking water, alongside support for utilities and public-private partnerships at ZAWAFE. Graphite Survey in Petauke: The Ministry of Mines, with EU-backed geological partners, is running a graphite research survey in Chief Mumbi’s chiefdom, aiming to update Zambia’s geoscientific database and build local survey skills. Zambia Digital Sovereignty Push: Minister Felix Mutati and China’s ambassador Han Jing discussed deeper tech cooperation across ICT, emerging tech, training, research, and digital infrastructure. HERPEZ Zoonotic Risk Study: HERPEZ presented a pilot study using metagenomic sequencing on suspected COVID-19 patients, finding 24 zoonotic pathogens in Zambia and calling for stronger surveillance, including first detections of several pathogens. Agritech in Livingstone: A young couple near Livingstone is building a cherry tomato and vegetable agribusiness on a 15-hectare plot, using a conservation approach while navigating yield challenges. Energy Transition Watch: AP reports Africa is accelerating solar, wind, and battery storage over coal and large dams, with solar dominating new project announcements in 2025.

Zambia’s Postal Sector: Government has released K48m to pay terminal benefits for ZAMPOST retirees, part of a phased plan to clear long-standing obligations on a first-retired, first-paid basis. Water & Sanitation Policy: Vice-President Mutale Nalumango says Zambia has zero-rated tax on water treatment chemicals, cutting costs for utilities and improving access to safe drinking water, while urging more investment as climate shocks and rapid urbanisation strain services. Mining & Critical Minerals: The Ministry of Mines is running a graphite survey in Petauke with EU and African geological partners, aiming to update Zambia’s geoscientific database and build local survey capacity. Digital Sovereignty: Zambia is set to deepen its AI push via a Huawei partnership to support AI infrastructure and a national data centre for government services across ministries. Agribusiness Spotlight: A Livingstone-area couple is turning peri-urban land into a conservation-minded agribusiness, growing cherry tomatoes and vegetables for growing city demand. Regional Tech & Connectivity: Amazon has selected Kenya for its first African satellite internet ground station under Project Kuiper, signaling tougher competition with Starlink for rural connectivity. Digital Fraud Watch: Rwanda’s suspected digital fraud rate fell, but a new report warns criminals are shifting to account creation and identity-based attacks.

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.