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Agribusiness

The Lusaka Avocado Multipurpose Cooperative Society (LAMCS) has officially launched its 2026 avocado harvest season with a successful delivery of locally grown avocados to Freshmark Zambia Ltd, destined for Shoprite chain stores.

 The first shipment, made on 23rd April 2026, marks the second consecutive year of collaboration between LAMCS, Freshmark Zambia, and Shoprite Zambia.

 According to LAMCS, the latest delivery was both productive and educational, as supplying members received direct induction into Freshmark’s avocado product specifications and requirements. This hands-on guidance aims to ensure that cooperative members maintain the high quality standards demanded by formal retail markets.

 In an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times, John Chowa, chairperson of LAMCS’s technical committee, clarified that for now, only LAMCS farmers are supplying avocados, with no external producers involved.

 LAMCS expressed gratitude to both Freshmark Zambia Ltd and Shoprite Zambia for their ongoing partnership, pledging to consistently deliver premium, locally produced avocados to meet formal market demand. The agreement provides LAMCS members with a structured market through one of Zambia’s largest retail chains, aligning with government efforts to connect smallholder farmers to high-value markets and reduce reliance on imports.

 With the avocado season underway, LAMCS is set to enhance both local supply and farmer participation, further strengthening Zambia’s horticultural sector.

By Francine Chibuye

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The Lusaka Avocado Multipurpose Cooperative Society (LAMCS)

Tech

As Zambia approaches the 2026 general elections, media experts are calling for robust legal protections for freedom of expression and responsible journalism to safeguard the country’s democratic process.

 In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), media expert Andrew Sakala emphasized the importance of reinforcing legal frameworks that protect both citizens and journalists.

While acknowledging concerns about restrictive laws, Sakala advised that individuals should not fear speaking out, provided their statements are truthful, accurate, and grounded in verifiable facts.

 “Facts remain the strongest protection for anyone expressing opinions publicly,” he noted. Sakala highlighted that certain existing laws, such as cyber legislation, Penal Code provisions, sedition laws, and the Printed Publications Act, can negatively impact freedom of expression and media practice.

“Stakeholders must continue pushing for the review, amendment, or repeal of additional restrictive laws affecting freedom of expression and media freedoms,” Sakala said, stressing that freedom is a continuous democratic process requiring vigilance and ongoing reform.

 He also urged journalists, particularly during the high-stakes election period, to uphold professionalism, objectivity, and accuracy in their reporting. “Journalists must remain truthful and responsible in their coverage as election activities intensify,” Sakala advised.

 Sakala further called on political players and relevant institutions to ensure that the media is able to operate freely and safely, urging accountability for those who violate press freedoms and protections for journalists against attacks. As the 2026 elections draw nearer, the message from experts is clear: safeguarding freedom of expression and promoting responsible journalism are essential to the health of Zambia’s democracy.

By Karen Ngulube

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As Zambia approaches the 2026 general elections,

Real Estate, Uncategorized

Waste management is one of the most contentious subjects, particularly in many Lusaka compounds, where indiscriminate disposal has now become a culture, and experts have countlessly times expressed grave concerns. Despite countermeasures like the creation of the Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Companies Limited, which works alongside LCC and private companies, waste remains the biggest challenge in the city.

 Commenting on the matter, Civic Forum for Housing and Habitat Executive Director Grace Mtonga observed that the council has failed to meet the adverse disposal demands of the population.

 She therefore urged for a technical study of the situation, determining the amount of waste produced by the households and creating interventions that speak to the situation.

 “In the previous decades, the council was well structured, and we had bins located at most households, and after privatization, we had most of these properties being sold and services that the council was offering moving to the private sector, and then the charges and tariffs, and then we have people that can pay and those that cannot manage. Obviously, you can’t expect someone who is selling tomatoes with a profit of K20 to afford other expenses,” she added.

 Interestingly, the issue of waste management also speaks to the culture of the local society, and Mtonga cited cases of homeowners throwing waste in the nighttime to avoid being reprimanded, hence creating dumpsites in the streets.

 However, there are far-reaching consequences attached to the problem, such as health, and in recent years Lusaka has recorded cases of cholera that stem from the indiscriminate disposal of garbage.

“What’s important is to carry out a study on how people understand waste management and how best the community members can start to police the cause.” She further urged the Lusaka City Council and allies to do a forensic study of the problem before coming up with an intervention.

By Samuel Mutale

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Waste management is one of the most

Sport, Uncategorized

Foreign strikers have largely dominated the Zambian Super League (ZPL), for instance, the likes of Jesse Were and Idris Mbombo, both of Congo, and currently, Kenyan Moses Shumah, who is likely to record the highest in recent seasons, more than 22 goals.

 Local strikers have come under scrutiny for failing to live up to expectations, with only Titus Chansa last season coming faceto-face with a joint golden boot with Idris Mbombo. Commenting on the matter in an interview with the Zambian Business Time (ZBT), football analyst Richman Mpembamoto alleged that most of the strikers indulge in lifestyles that jeopardize their potential, such as excessive beer drinking.

He observed that most of them fail to play with consistency and end up becoming one-season wonders, unlike their foreign colleagues who are well-disciplined and compete without ado. “The problem stems from a lack of player management.

Most of them have a poor lifestyle, beer drinking, and other vices. Most of our local players would show commitment in one season, and the next they would falter.” He said unlike the foreign strikers who are committed and often times set scoring targets for themselves, technically they seem to be better at the conversion rate, “that’s why they are banging goals for fun.” “It all goes down to our players to work really hard, they must show that commitment in terms of conversion rate and finding the back of the net.

 Most of the foreign-based strikers have shown huge commitment while most of our players would show commitment and falter after sometime, foreign strikers always have targets.

 When they come here, they know what they want. If you look at Shumah, he had a target to beat Idris Mbombo’s record, and he has done it.” Mpembamoto acknowledged that most of the foreign strikers are hailing from places that have better grassroots structures compared to Zambia, which is heavily struggling

By Samuel Mutale

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Foreign strikers have largely dominated the Zambian

Markets, Tech, Uncategorized

Technology expert Glen Mwansa has cautioned that Zambia’s vision of becoming a 24-hour economy is at risk of failure unless the government moves beyond policy declarations and invests in dedicated, government-funded internet hubs to support late-night transactions.

 In an interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Mwansa stressed that the responsibility of ensuring internet connectivity should not fall on individual traders.

 “If the government can provide internet in these hubs where 24/7 operations will occur, the plan can succeed. But if small traders are forced to shoulder the burden, we are likely headed for failure,” he warned.

 Mwansa welcomed the push towards overnight trading, common in advanced economies, but emphasized that the transition must be phased, ensuring robust digital infrastructure to address heightened risks such as robbery and cash leakages.

 Contrasting expert concerns with official optimism, ZBT found a disconnect between Mwansa’s warnings and statements from the Ministry of Technology and Science. Minister Felix Mutati recently asserted that Zambia’s digital transformation is already underway and that integrated digital platforms are essential for achieving a $60 billion economy.

However, traders continue to face high data costs and unreliable network speeds on the ground. To make night trading viable, Mwansa advocated for government-funded free Wi-Fi in trading zones, ensuring seamless and secure e-payments. “Reliable internet access is essential in any 24-hour trading environment,” he stated. He further called for mandatory e-transfers for night-time businesses, arguing that shop owners should not be required to hold large amounts of cash overnight, especially amid inconsistent law enforcement and security concerns.

By Phillip Sinkala

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Technology expert Glen Mwansa has cautioned that

Uncategorized

Absa Bank Zambia Plc has appointed senior marketing executive Maxwell Ng’ambi as Assistant Vice President for Brand and Retail Support, reinforcing its focus on strengthening customer experience, brand positioning, and retail execution.

Ng’ambi confirmed the move through an update to his LinkedIn profile, seen by Zambian Business Times-ZBT, marking his transition from the telecommunications sector into banking.

Ng’ambi brings extensive experience from the telecoms industry, where he has been central to digital transformation initiatives. He previously served as Head of Brand and Communications at both Airtel Zambia and MTN Zambia.

In these roles, he led brand strategy, communications, and consumer engagement programmes in a highly competitive and fast-evolving market. He was instrumental in the rollout and positioning of key digital and connectivity products, including the MyAirtel App, 5G services, eSIM, VoLTE, and Tonse data bundles.

Ng’ambi is also the recipient of the 2023 Augustine Seyuba Marketing Personality of the Year Award, recognising his contribution to Zambia’s marketing and communications landscape.

Earlier in his career, he held regional roles outside Zambia within the Standard Bank Group and SABMiller, gaining exposure across financial services and FMCG operations in broader African markets.

This cross-industry and regional experience is expected to bring additional depth to his new mandate at Absa Zambia

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Absa Bank Zambia Plc has appointed senior

Mining

By Tyndae Muchiya

 First Quantum Minerals Ltd (FQM) has reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, reporting a net loss attributable to shareholders of $196 million ($0.24 loss per share) for the first quarter of 2026, as the company faced lower copper production, higher costs, and global market headwinds.

 For the period ended March 31, 2026, FQM posted an adjusted loss of $147 million ($0.18 adjusted loss per share), while total copper production stood at 96,469 tonnes, a 4% decline from the previous quarter. The decrease was primarily due to lower output at Sentinel and Kansanshi mines, reflecting mine plan grades.

Copper C1 cash costs rose by $0.30 quarter-over-quarter to $2.51 per pound, driven by reduced output and a stronger Zambian Kwacha impacting employee costs. Copper sales volumes were 90,049 tonnes, trailing production by approximately 6,420 tonnes due to sales timing and inventory replenishment at Kansanshi following strong sales in Q4 2025.

 Meanwhie, FQM recorded gross profit of $278 million and EBITDA of $326 million for the quarter. However, the EBITDA figure included $144 million in losses under the company’s sales hedge program. Excluding this impact, EBITDA would have been $470 million.

 The company noted that no derivative contracts are outstanding beyond June 2026. First Quantum CEO Tristan Pascall described the start of 2026 as challenging, citing heightened global uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict and its effect on supply chains.

He highlighted FQM’s ongoing investments in innovation, electrification, and structural efficiency improvements, noting that increases in fuel prices are expected to impact costs in the second quarter. Pascall also emphasized the strategic value of the company’s smelter, which reduces reliance on external sulphuric acid supplies amid tight global markets. “2026 has begun against a backdrop of heightened global uncertainty, driven by the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on key supply chains.

 In response, we have been actively diversifying our fuel sourcing and procuring additional fuel supplies. Our long‑standing investments in innovation and electrification, including trolley-assist, continue to structurally reduce fuel intensity and our sites are advancing additional initiatives to further improve efficiency. We expect the increases in fuel prices to impact our cost base in the second quarter.” “The current environment also underscores the strategic value of our smelter, which means we are not reliant on external sulphuric acid supply at a time when global sulphur availability is tight.

The situation in the Middle East further reinforces the accelerating global shift towards electrification, a structural trend that is expected to support copper demand and pricing over time. Operationally, we remain on track in Zambia, with production in line with mine plans and stronger performance expected in the second half of the year as we access higher grades,” said Tristan Pascall, Chief Executive Officer of First Quantum.” “In Panama, we received formal approval to proceed with the removal and processing of stockpiled ore, an important step in the responsible environmental management of Cobre Panamá. We are progressing steadily towards restarting processing activities, including the hiring of approximately 1,000 new positions, which attracted more than 60,000 applicants. We expect copper to be produced late in the second quarter. We remain committed to constructive engagement with the Government of Panama for a mutually beneficial resolution for the mine.”

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By Tyndae Muchiya  First Quantum Minerals Ltd (FQM)

Real Estate

By Francine Chibuye

As Zambia grapples with a burgeoning housing deficit and rising material costs, the Chief Executive Officer of Daka and Associates Construction Harrison Daka is calling for a radical shift in the nation’s building philosophy.

 Speaking in a recent interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Daka argued that Zambia must move beyond traditional “Red Ocean” competition and embrace prefabricated technology to meet the government’s ambitious Vision 2030 infrastructure goals. The entry of specialized Chinese entities offering prefabricated (prefab) solutions represents a “Blue Ocean” strategy—a move into an uncontested market space.

 With over 14,000 contractors in Zambia already competing in the saturated “Red Ocean” of conventional brick-and-mortar construction, the Daka noted that innovation is the only way to achieve scale.

 “To secure government buy-in, new technology must offer benefits so obvious they warrant a total departure from the status quo,” he explained. “We are looking at a partnership between private innovation and public necessity to deliver housing faster, at scale, and at a significantly lower cost.”

Despite the clear advantages of prefab—chiefly accelerated timelines and reduced labor costs the industry faces a significant hurdle: ingrained traditionalism. Daka observed that the Zambian construction ecosystem, from trade skills to professional consultants, is built entirely around cement and blocks.

 “The challenge lies in sensitization. Homeowners listen to their consultants—the engineers, architects, and bricklayers. As long as these influencers remain skeptical of new technology, adoption will stall.” For the prefab rollout to succeed, Daka emphasized that it cannot remain an insulated foreign venture.

 A robust technology transfer program is essential. This involves a collaborative pipeline where local designers, engineers, and artisans are trained to install and maintain these modern components. “It is critical that we don’t just import the materials, but the expertise as well,” he noted.

 “There must be a synergy between the Chinese entities leading the rollout and the local workforce.” With high mortgage rates and the Ministry of Infrastructure under pressure to close the housing gap by 2030, Daka argued that Zambia no longer has the luxury of slow, traditional builds. “Everyone is working against tight deadlines. We need a stakeholder engagement plan that involves government and media to build the necessary political will,” he concluded. “We must be ready to accommodate forward-moving technology, especially when it provides a direct solution to our most pressing social problems.”

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By Francine Chibuye As Zambia grapples with a

Mining

By Tyndale Muchiya

 The Zambian government has announced plans to increase its shareholding in the recently launched Mingomba mine, one of the country’s most significant mining developments, by an additional 5%.

KoBold Metals, the exploration company backed by billionaires including Bill Gates and Sam Altman, officially broke ground on the $2 billion Mingomba mine on the copperbelt expected to be Zambia’s biggest copper mine.

 The Mingomba mine in Zambia is owned by a joint venture, with majority ownership held by KoBold Metals (80%), a U.S.-based AI-driven exploration company, and the remaining 20% owned by Zambia’s state-owned investment firm, ZCCM Investments Holdings.

 This move would see the state’s investment arm, ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH), raise its stake from 20% to 25%. The Mingomba mine, located on the Copperbelt, is being developed through a joint venture led by KoBold Metals, a U.S.-based exploration company utilizing artificial intelligence, which currently holds an 80% stake.

KoBold Metals, backed by high-profile investors such as Bill Gates and Sam Altman, broke ground in April 2026 on the $2 billion project, which is anticipated to become Zambia’s largest copper mine upon completion.

 Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, ZCCM-IH Board Chairperson Phesto Musonda, confirmed that the current shareholding for Mingomba mine is 20% for ZCCM-IH and 80% for Kobald Metals.

 “We stand as a 20 percent equity partner in Mingomba, We intend to deepen this commitment by increasing our shareholding by an additional 5 percent, bringing ZCCM-IH’s stake to 25 percent,” Musonda stated.

The proposed increase in government shareholding would adjust KoBold Metals’ stake to 75%, with the remaining 25% held by ZCCM-IH.

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By Tyndale Muchiya  The Zambian government has announced

Companies

By Phillip Sinkala

Sunbird Group has revealed that Zambia’s failure to implement a mandatory fuel blending policy is currently bleeding the national treasury of over US$120 million in potential annual savings from the massive petroleum import bill of up to US$700 million to 1 billion per year.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Sunbird Group Chief Executive Officer, Richard Bennett indicated that this huge expenditure on imported fuel remains a primary driver of domestic inflation, yet the solution has been paralyzed for over 10 years.

A check by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT revealed that the Sunbird cassava-to-bioethanol project in Kawambwa, Luapula Province which was first announced in 2015 and set for commissioning in 2022 has failed to take off due to a total lack of supporting government procedures.

“While Zambia possesses the underutilized land assets to be a continental leader in agri-energy, it continues to import inflation by purchasing 100% of its fuel from volatile international markets,” said Bennett.

 He explained that unlike the USA or even neighboring Zimbabwe, Zambia lacks a Statutory Instrument (SI) to compel the blending of locally produced biofuels into the national supply system, a failure he noted has persisted across successive administrations.

 “The PF government promised this when we first started, and the New Dawn government (UPND) made it a priority when they first came in, but as of today, the fuel blending mandatory mandate does not yet exist in Zambia,” said Bennett.

 Meanwhile, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) previously told ZBT in May 2020 that the full implementation of biofuels would slash the national import bill by approximately US$100 million per annum.

 Bennett added that despite Sunbird investing over US$7 million into the Kawambwa project and registering 5,000 out-growers with 1,750 hectares of cassava already established, the factory construction remains at a standstill because there is no legal framework to ensure the product can even be sold.

 He added that the Kawambwa project has now been revised into phases, with the first phase targeting 60 million litres of bio-ethanol, which would immediately substitute US$60 million worth of petrol imports and provide 500 direct factory jobs for Zambians.

“It is so simple because you just say stop buying US$60 million worth of petrol from the Middle East and start buying it from the pool of farmers but it is that missing mandate that has really caused the problem for us,” Bennett emphasized.

He told ZBT that a new hope emerged at the second Luapula Expo, where President Hakainde Hichilema reportedly reviewed the project and issued immediate instructions to the Permanent Secretary for Commerce to finalize the fuel blending mandate within the next 30 days.  Bennett further revealed that if the President’s team successfully implements these instructions, the Kawambwa site will move forward rapidly, paving the way for a second, US$70 million integrated bio-refinery in Muchinga Province which is currently in the

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By Phillip Sinkala Sunbird Group has revealed that

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