28 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The N’cwala (or Nc’wala) ceremony is a major annual cultural festival celebrated by the Ngoni people of Zambia’s Eastern Province. Held every year on the last Saturday of February at Mtenguleni village near Chipata, it primarily serves as a thanksgiving festival for the first fruits of the harvest and an occasion to pay homage to God, ancestral spirits, and the Paramount Chief Mpezeni. Continue reading
25 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — A leaked draft of a $1bn health financing agreement between the US and Zambia has provoked widespread backlash and accusations of “shameless exploitation”. Under the proposed memorandum of understanding, Washington would provide health funding in exchange for severe and unprecedented conditions that advocates argue are vastly worse than deals struck with other African nations. Continue reading
Zambia’s Strategic Evolution: From Landlocked to Land-Linked Economic Powerhouse
25 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — This is an analysis of John McDermott, The Economist chief Africa correspondent
interview with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema (often referred to as “HH”) ahead of the country’s upcoming August elections,. Hichilema is urging voters to “stay the course,” arguing that his administration has made significant strides in repairing the damage left by his predecessor, Edgar Lungu. He highlights several achievements, including securing a debt restructuring deal, delivering free education, enacting liberal reforms in power and agriculture, and initiating major infrastructure projects like the Lobito Corridor and Tazara railway renovations to transform Zambia into a “land-linked” nation. He also aims for the country to reach 1 million tonnes of copper production this year. Continue reading
Jan. 25, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The year 2026 represents a critical juncture for African democracy as numerous nations across the continent prepare for high-stakes elections. While countries like Zambia and Benin face tests of institutional integrity and leadership transitions, others such as Uganda and Ethiopia continue to struggle with political suppression and internal conflict. Long-standing leaders in the Republic of the Congo and Djibouti maintain their grip on power, whereas nations like Libya and South Sudan face deep uncertainty regarding their ability to hold votes at all. These upcoming polls occur against a backdrop of regional instability and varying levels of public trust in the electoral process. Ultimately, the collective results of these contests will determine if the continent is moving toward a systemic democratic shift or further entrenched authoritarianism. Through this comprehensive calendar, the source highlights the diverse political challenges and socioeconomic factors shaping the future of African governance. Continue reading
Jan. 8, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — In 2026, Zambia is positioned at a critical crossroads, transitioning from a period of climate-induced shocks (2024–2025) into a high-growth phase. The economy is projected to expand by 6.4%, a “rebound” driven primarily by a resurgence in the mining sector as copper production targets 1 million metric tons. This growth is supported by a more stable agricultural season and a strategic pivot toward renewable energy to mitigate future power deficits. Continue reading
Dec. 29, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — Hakainde Hichilema as been ranked as one of the pre-eminent global leaders of 2025. The Zambian President has successfully positioned his nation as a highly desirable partner amidst the geopolitical competition between the United States and China. High-level diplomatic visits, such as the arrival of the Chinese Premier, underscore the country’s growing strategic importance. Continue reading
Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria
Three years after defaulting on its foreign debt, Zambia is still trying to reach agreement with all its creditors on how to manage this situation. This has left the southern African country in a state of development finance limbo. It is handicapped in raising the funds needed to generate jobs, build infrastructure, provide health, education and social services and deal with climate change. Its president, Hakainde Hichilema, has warned that the situation threatens to undermine its democracy.
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Barrick’s transformation of its Lumwana mine into a world-class producer will provide strong impetus for the government’s thrust to revive the country’s copper industry, president and chief executive Mark Bristow said yesterday after a meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
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Aug. 31, 2023 /Politics/ — There is no known beef between Zambia and Zimbabwe election results. The two countries have a long history of cooperation and have jointly worked on a number of regional initiatives. In the 2002 Zimbabwean presidential election, the Zambian government refused to recognize the results, which were won by Robert Mugabe. However, this was due to concerns about the fairness of the election, rather than any beef with Zimbabwe. Continue reading
July 18, 2023 /Politics/ — Hakainde Hichilema, the current president of Zambia, has been criticized for selling the country’s natural resources to Anglo American, a British mining company. In 2022, Hichilema’s government signed a $1.5 billion deal with Anglo American to mine copper in Zambia. The deal has been met with protests from environmental groups, who argue that it will damage the country’s natural resources. Continue reading