Zambia

Forecasts for the 2024/2025 rainy season predict normal or above-normal rainfall, with episodic heavy rainfall and flooding in rainfed areas, after the last rainy season was characterised by severe drought

ZESCO, Zambia’s power utility, announced that the critically low water levels of Lake Karina, now at just 8% of usable storage, will force a scale back of electricity generation; the shutdown of Kariba North Bank Power Station is scheduled on 14 September

In a press note, the Zambian government announced a crackdown on the misuse of social media, invoking Sec 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No 2/2021 adding it 'will not tolerate any form of online misconduct that threatens peace and security'

Concerns are growing for elevated aflatoxin levels detected in maize grain, animal feed and mealie meal; aflatoxins, caused by fungi, can contaminate many crops in stressful conditions and at high levels pose significant health risks to humans and animals

Brian Mundubile, opposition leader in parliament, condemned the imprisonment of, among others, Pambashe MPs Ronald Chitotela and Kawambwa MP Nickson Chilangwa, joining the many voices calling for their release and demanding justice

The country celebrates the bronze medal won by Muzala Samukonga, a 21-year-old sprinter, in the men's 400-metre race at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a time of 43,74 seconds, setting a new national record

ZESCO Limited is conducting a feasibility study to explore the potential of using available water resources to increase power generation capacity

With two million more children able to attend state schools from 2021 without paying after school is made free for all, experts say overcrowding is jeopardising the quality of education, especially for low-income students

The International Monetary Fund granted an additional $385 million for the Extended Credit Facility to provide financial aid to the country after a six-month drought

WWF Zambia called for the creation of a special fund dedicated to the development of forestry sector, suggesting to use the resources collected from the carbon tax to recapitalise the industry and ensure the viability of green economy plans

China is closely monitoring the progress of the negotiations on the country's debt restructuring and will take measures to support it in dealing with the relevant issues

The distribution of relief food to drought-affected areas of the country began with the approval of the drought response plan for food security for the period from April 2024 to May 2025