Sun Oct. 18, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Maiko Zulu has used conscious reggae music, public demonstrations, institutional leadership, and independent political campaigns to challenge political authority and demand structural justice in Zambia. Continue reading
Navigating Proclamation 10998: What the 2026 U.S. Travel Restrictions Mean for Zambian Passport Holders
Sat Oct. 16, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Effective January 1, 2026, Presidential Proclamation 10998 placed Zambia into a partial suspension tier that restricts entry and visa issuance for its passport holders. Under this executive directive, Zambian nationals who were outside the United States without a valid visa on the effective date are barred from obtaining immigrant visas as well as B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F academic student visas, M vocational student visas, and J exchange visitor visas. The United States government justified Zambia’s inclusion by citing Department of Homeland Security metrics showing a 10.73 percent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visitor visas and a 21.02 percent overstay rate for student and exchange visitor categories. For nonimmigrant visa classifications that remain open, such as employment-based H-1B, L-1, and O-1 visas, consular officers are instructed to shorten validity periods, typically limiting approved visas to three months with single-entry authorization. The proclamation explicitly preserves existing valid visas issued prior to January 1, 2026, and provides categorical exemptions for U.S. lawful permanent residents, dual nationals traveling on an unrestricted passport, qualifying diplomatic personnel, and athletes participating in major international sporting events. Continue reading
Coordinated Policing Battles a Surge in Sophisticated, AI-Powered Scams Across Africa
Thur , Aug 06 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Artificial intelligence has become the primary engine transforming cybercrime across Africa, driving 55 percent of all reported digital offenses and shifting the threat landscape from isolated incidents into an industrialized, borderless criminal ecosystem. This automation spans every stage of a cyberattack, from initial target reconnaissance and highly personalized phishing generation to execution, extortion, and operational evasion. Fueled by the continent’s rapid digital transformation, which reached over 1.1 billion registered mobile subscribers in 2025, cybercriminals have successfully scaled their operations to target massive audiences simultaneously. This has resulted in a devastating financial toll, with annual regional losses skyrocketing from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million in 2025, while the number of identified individual victims surged from 35,000 to 87,000. Continue reading
April 17, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Andy Kershaw’s career as a pioneering radio broadcaster was defined by his relentless curiosity and rejection of Anglo-American rock hegemony in favor of global “roots” music. Beginning his BBC Radio 1 tenure in 1985 with the rare privilege of complete editorial freedom over his playlist, Kershaw mixed country, blues, reggae, folk, and a vast array of African, Caribbean, and Latin American dance music. His broadcasting philosophy was anchored in a Reithian motto he shared with his mentor, producer John Walters: “We’re not here to give the public what it wants. We’re here to give the public what it didn’t know it wanted”. 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
10 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media — The 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba is currently underway in Cape Town, South Africa, operating under the theme “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships”. The event has attracted record attendance, including 58 government ministers and two heads of state, amidst an intensifying geopolitical race for critical minerals. 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. 22, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a premier football tournament hosted by Morocco will span from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, the competition features 24 national teams divided into six distinct groups. The document lists specific match dates, kick-off times, and various stadium locations across the country, starting with the opening group stages and concluding with the final in Rabat.
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Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his significant contributions to peace and stability across Africa. The nomination, submitted by respected Angolan academic and international policy analyst Afonso Botáz, highlights President Lourenço’s effective diplomacy in mediating regional conflicts and his commitment to national reconciliation and justice. Continue reading
Jan. 16, 2024 /Human Interest/ — Zambia and Gambia, despite their similar-sounding names, are quite different countries in Southern and West Africa, respectively. Here’s a breakdown of their key differences: Continue reading