AGP Executive Report

Wildlife Crime: Thai authorities seized about 400 elephant tusks shipped from Zambia and declared as timber; DNA tests are planned to establish their origin. A separate Zambian police operation uncovered ivory, leopard skin and a pangolin, with suspects detained. Water Security: Zambia and the DRC validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru, supporting water security, fisheries, farming and climate resilience. Meanwhile, ZRA reduced Kariba water allocations amid forecasts of poor rainfall. Climate-Smart Farming: An ActionAid study covering Zambia and nine other African countries says agroecology can improve yields, cut reliance on costly inputs and protect soils and biodiversity. Climate Finance: Zambia has joined the V20 group of climate-vulnerable economies, whose ministers are calling for longer-term concessional funding for resilience and essential services.

Critical Minerals: Zambia is among eight countries launching World Bank compacts to develop local industries and retain more mineral value; plans include stronger environmental oversight and skills development. Wildlife Crime: Thai authorities seized more than 400 elephant tusks believed to have been smuggled from Zambia and are conducting DNA tests. In a separate operation, police reported seizing ivory, a pangolin and leopard skin. Water Security: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru, aiming to protect shared resources and strengthen climate resilience. Climate and Farming: ZRA has reduced Kariba water allocations amid expectations of poor rainfall, while an ActionAid study says agroecology can boost climate resilience and protect soils and biodiversity, with findings from Zambia among 10 African countries. E-waste: The ILO and Airtel Zambia have partnered to promote responsible e-waste management and green jobs.

Shared Waters: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru, aiming to protect water resources, strengthen climate resilience and support fishing and farming livelihoods. Climate Finance: Zambia has joined the V20 group of climate-vulnerable economies, whose ministers are urging longer-term concessional funding for resilience and essential services. Food and Farming: A new ActionAid study covering Zambia and nine other African countries says agroecology can improve yields and incomes while reducing reliance on costly imported farm inputs and protecting soils. Kariba: ZRA has reduced water allocation from Lake Kariba amid forecasts of poor rainfall. E-waste: Airtel Zambia and the ILO are promoting responsible e-waste management and green jobs. Food Waste: Lusaka agro-processor CherryPick is turning local produce into shelf-stable snacks, extending its life and creating markets for small-scale farmers.

Climate Finance: Zambia has joined the V20 group of climate-vulnerable economies, whose ministers are urging longer-term concessional finance to invest in resilience, clean water and essential services. Shared Waters: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru, aiming to protect shared water resources, support fishing and farming, and strengthen climate resilience. Farming Resilience: A new ActionAid study covering Zambia and nine other African countries says agroecology can raise yields, cut reliance on costly imported farm inputs and help protect soils and biodiversity. Water & Power: Zambia has reduced its allocation of water from Lake Kariba amid forecasts of poor rainfall, putting pressure on already climate-sensitive water and power planning. Wildlife Crime: Thai authorities seized about 400 ivory pieces hidden in a timber shipment declared as coming from Zambia; DNA testing is planned to help trace the elephants and trafficking networks. Clean Energy & Waste: Solarise Africa has secured a grant to expand solar leasing into Zambia and Uganda, targeting 3MW of renewable capacity across both countries; Airtel Zambia and the ILO are also partnering on responsible e-waste management and green jobs.

Mineral Accountability: As demand for critical minerals grows, experts warn rushed deals can sideline environmental and social assessments. Zambia is negotiating a separate minerals agreement, making transparency and community safeguards a key concern. Safer Streets: African transport leaders, including Zambian delegates, are urging cities to prioritise walking and pedestrian safety to cut pollution and road injuries. Clean Power: A Kenyan solar-leasing firm has secured funding to expand into Zambia, aiming to install renewable power and storage for businesses and social institutions. Kariba Water: The Zambezi River Authority has cut the lake’s 2027 power-generation water allocation from 36 billion to 23 billion cubic metres, citing El Niño forecasts and expected below-normal rainfall. Wildlife Trade: Thai authorities seized about 400 pieces of ivory concealed in a timber shipment from Zambia and will use DNA tests to investigate where it came from. Zambezi Biodiversity: Australian redclaw crayfish are spreading through the Barotse floodplains, where researchers report falling native fish and invertebrate populations and damage to river plants and banks.

Clean Energy: Solarise Africa has secured a €1 million grant to expand into Zambia and Uganda, with plans to install 3MW of solar, battery storage and other renewable capacity for businesses and social institutions. Wildlife Trafficking: Thai authorities seized about 400 pieces of ivory hidden in a timber shipment from Zambia and are using DNA tests to trace the elephants’ origins and investigate the trafficking network. Water and Climate: The Zambezi River Authority has cut Kariba’s 2027 power-generation water allocation from 36 billion to 23 billion cubic metres, citing forecasts of El Niño-linked, below-normal rainfall. Wetland Threat: Redclaw crayfish are disrupting Zambia’s Barotse floodplains, where native fish and invertebrates are falling, plants are being eaten and riverbanks are being hollowed out. Bird Conservation: A survey of the Barotse Floodplain found three major waterbird breeding colonies, including an estimated 68,000 African Openbill nests, prompting longer-term monitoring.

Kariba Water: The Zambezi River Authority has cut the 2027 allocation for hydropower at Lake Kariba from 36 billion to 23 billion cubic metres, citing forecasts of below-normal rain linked to El Niño. Zambia and Zimbabwe will each receive 11.5 billion cubic metres. Lake Tanganyika: Fish stocks in Tanzania’s waters fell by about 58% from 2022 to 2025. Officials cite illegal fishing and climate change, and say recovery will need coordinated action and investment in sustainable fisheries. Zambezi Wildlife: Redclaw crayfish, an invasive species from Australia, are spreading across Zambia’s Barotse floodplains, where native fish and invertebrates have declined, river plants are being eaten and banks are being hollowed out. Waste and Conservation: Airtel Zambia marked International E-Waste Day with a donation to the ILO, while an African Bird Club-supported survey in the Barotse Floodplain found major waterbird breeding colonies, including an estimated 68,000 African Openbill nests.

Invasive Species: Redclaw crayfish, native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, are spreading through Zambia’s Barotse floodplains. Researchers report falling native fish and invertebrate numbers, damaged river plants and hollowed banks. Waste Management: Airtel Zambia marked International E-Waste Day with a donation to the ILO, highlighting responsible disposal and potential youth employment in recycling. Pollution Prevention: A call for stronger environmental governance urges Zambia to move beyond clean-ups, with tougher penalties for repeat polluters and real-time monitoring to help prevent damage to the Kafue River system. Bird Conservation: African Bird Club-supported aerial surveys of the Barotse Floodplain found three major waterbird breeding colonies, including one with an estimated 68,000 African Openbill nests; the work has grown into longer-term monitoring.

Climate Preparedness: Zambia’s health and green economy ministers warn that a strengthening El Niño could bring floods and droughts, urging early-warning systems and climate-informed health planning for 2027. Pollution Prevention: A call for tougher environmental rules says recurring pollution in the Kafue River system demands more than cleanup: stronger penalties and real-time monitoring could push companies to prevent damage. Mining Accountability: Reports that pollution from Vedanta’s mine continues, while Kabwe residents still await justice, keep environmental harm and community accountability in focus. Kafue Conservation: A new off-grid camp in Kafue National Park says its design protects wildlife corridors; it is partnering with African Parks on conservation as the park’s restoration continues. Wildlife Research: A study of young chimpanzees at Zambia’s Chimfunshi sanctuary and Tanzania’s Gombe found their calls develop in ways shaped by their surroundings.

Environmental Reporting: Times of Zambia journalists won awards for environmental justice, climate action, and water and sanitation reporting at the 2026 MISA Zambia Media Awards. Pollution Prevention: A new call for tougher penalties and real-time monitoring urges Zambia to prevent pollution in the Kafue River system, rather than rely on clean-ups after damage is done. Climate Readiness: Health Minister Roma Chilengi says 2027 planning must account for El Niño-related floods and droughts. Zambia is linking climate data with malaria and diarrhoea trends to improve early warning and preparedness. Conservation: An off-grid tented camp has opened on the Kafue River in Kafue National Park, with its raised design intended to protect wildlife corridors and conservation work carried out with African Parks. Responsible Mining: Zambia has urged Great Lakes countries to cooperate against illegal mineral exploitation and ensure resource development supports local jobs, value addition and sustainable livelihoods.

Kafue Conservation: Anantara has opened a 13-suite, off-grid camp on the Kafue River, designed to protect wildlife corridors and operating with solar power and on-site water purification. Its safari experiences are being developed with African Parks. El Niño Readiness: Zambia’s environment minister says El Niño is established and could intensify into next year. Health Minister Roma Chilengi urged planning for droughts and floods, with climate data already being linked to malaria and diarrhoea trends. Wildlife Protection: Cheetahs have returned to Greater Luangwa after nearly 30 years, while the Department of National Parks and Wildlife arrested 41 people in a wildlife-crime crackdown. Zambia is also probing a major ivory seizure in Thailand. Pollution and Restoration: Reports say pollution from Vedanta’s mine continues to affect communities, while calls grow for more reforestation. Lusaka’s clean-up has brought visible improvements to the CBD, but sustained waste management remains key. Clean Energy: Zambia has reached its 1,000-megawatt solar target, and President Hichilema has directed government institutions to switch to electric vehicles.

Climate and Health: Zambia is preparing for an El Niño expected to intensify into next year, with officials warning of possible floods and droughts. A new climate-health effort links rainfall to malaria medicine use and childhood diarrhoea, helping authorities plan early. Mining and Sustainability: The US plans to expand direct investment in African critical-mineral projects as competition with China heats up. For Zambia and other mineral producers, the push sharpens questions about environmental safeguards and how mining benefits are shared. Lusaka Clean-Up: Residents report clearer streets in the CBD, but say lasting improvements will depend on tackling dust, rubbish and blocked walkways. Kafue Conservation: A new camp in Kafue National Park runs on solar power, purifies its water and uses raised platforms intended to protect wildlife corridors.

Kafue Conservation: Anantara has opened a 13-suite camp on the Kafue River, its first African property. The camp runs on solar power and uses water purification, while raised platforms are designed to protect wildlife corridors. Lusaka Clean-up: A recent clean-up has made parts of the CBD visibly cleaner, with residents highlighting benefits for air quality, safer walking and food-selling conditions. El Niño Preparedness: Green Economy Minister Gilbert Siame has asked the World Bank to support drought preparations, including early-warning systems and measures to protect vulnerable communities. Cleaner Transport: President Hakainde Hichilema says government institutions must buy electric vehicles, with charging infrastructure planned alongside the shift away from imported fuel. Wildlife: Three endangered African wild dogs made a record 2,500-mile journey through Zambia, a movement researchers say could help inform efforts to protect the species.

Urban Environment: Lusaka’s CBD clean-up is bringing clearer streets and pavements, with residents saying cleaner public spaces can improve air quality, safety and wellbeing. Cleaner Transport: President Hakainde Hichilema says government institutions must buy electric vehicles, with charging infrastructure planned alongside the shift away from imported fuel. Drought Preparedness: Green Economy Minister Gilbert Siame has asked the World Bank to support early warnings and help protect vulnerable communities, as forecasts point to drought in roughly half the country during El Niño. Wildlife: Three endangered African wild dogs travelled a record 2,500 miles through Zambia, while cheetahs have returned to Greater Luangwa after nearly 30 years.

Cleaner Transport: President Hakainde Hichilema has ordered government institutions to buy only electric vehicles, with charging infrastructure planned nationwide to cut fuel dependence. Drought Preparedness: Green Economy Minister Gilbert Siame has asked the World Bank to support early warnings and other measures against anticipated El Niño drought; officials warn about half the country could be affected. Wildlife: Three African wild dogs made a record 2,500-mile journey across Zambia, while cheetahs have returned to Greater Luangwa after nearly 30 years. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife also arrested 41 people in a wildlife-crime crackdown. Pollution and Forests: Reports say pollution from a Zambian mine continues despite a legacy court case, while calls grow for more reforestation, including beyond the TAZARA corridor.

Clean Transport: President Hakainde Hichilema says government institutions must buy electric vehicles, with charging infrastructure planned to support the shift and reduce reliance on imported fuel. Drought Readiness: Green Economy Minister Gilbert Siame is seeking World Bank support for early warnings and action ahead of an El Niño drought; forecasters warn about half the country could face drought. The Food Reserve Agency is also building maize reserves. Energy: Zambia has reached a 1,000-megawatt solar milestone, while installed power capacity is rising. Wildlife: Zambia is investigating an ivory seizure in Thailand, and wildlife officers have arrested 41 people in a crime crackdown. Cheetahs have also returned to Greater Luangwa after nearly 30 years. Pollution and Restoration: Pollution linked to Vedanta’s mine in Kabwe continues despite a long-running court case. Calls are growing for reforestation and investment in rainwater and groundwater harvesting.