AGP Executive Report

UNGA81 Peace Pitch: President Hakainde Hichilema told the UN General Assembly that Zambia is “not at war,” calling the country peaceful, stable and open for investment after the August 13 elections—while protesters in New York demanded UN action and targeted sanctions over alleged post-election rights abuses. Energy Security: Zambia’s grid received 100MW from the Maamba Solar PV project, a major step to diversify beyond hydropower as El Niño-linked drought pressure threatens water resources. Climate & Water: WaterAid warned that drought in England shows why water security matters, pointing to solar-powered water systems and rainwater harvesting as lessons for drought-hit communities, including in Zambia. Local Environment & Health: A Czech-UNDP SDGs pilot in Kashitu is turning human waste into fertiliser using urine-diverting dry toilets and composting, aiming to boost soil fertility for farmers. Tourism With Conservation: KAZA TFCA launched a regenerative nature-based tourism push to support community-led MSMEs and protect biodiversity across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Policy Planning: Cabinet approved Zambia’s Green Paper for the 2027–2029 Medium Term Budget Plan, with El Niño drought flagged as a risk to food security and fiscal space.

Climate & Disaster Resilience: Zambia’s disaster preparedness push got a boost with the CRRF handover in Mambwe, including boreholes, water kiosks and irrigation support to help communities better withstand droughts, floods and erratic rainfall. Green Economy & Environment: Cabinet approved Zambia’s 2027–2029 Medium Term Budget Green Paper under the Grow Zambia Agenda, while warning El Niño-linked drought could squeeze fiscal space—so government plans stronger buffers and food security measures. Health Security & Global Partnerships: President Hichilema told UNGA81 Zambia is building capacity for local vaccine manufacturing and urged faster WHO Pandemic Agreement talks, as the country seeks stronger preparedness for future epidemics. Tourism & Conservation: Northern Province is being pitched for more private investment to unlock tourism beyond the usual hotspots, with wildlife, culture and adventure tourism highlighted. Sustainable Sanitation: A Kashitu pilot is turning human waste into fertiliser using urine-diverting dry toilets and composting, aiming to cut fertiliser costs and improve soil productivity. Energy Transition & Emissions: First Quantum’s trolley-assist system is framed as a decarbonisation lever, cutting diesel use and emissions during mine operations. El Niño Watch: Experts explain why El Niño can bring very different impacts across regions, with some areas facing unusually dry conditions.

Transboundary Conservation & Tourism: KAZA TFCA has launched a regenerative nature-based tourism initiative across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, backed by the EU and Germany, to support women, youth and community-led MSMEs near protected areas and link tourism to biodiversity, jobs and local livelihoods. Climate & Food Security: Zambia’s Cabinet approved the 2027–2029 Medium Term Budget Plan, flagging El Niño-linked drought risks for the 2026/27 farming season and pushing for stronger fiscal buffers and food security measures. Water & Resilience: Govt and UNDP handed over the CRRF project in Mambwe, investing about K2.5m in boreholes, water kiosks and irrigation support to help communities better withstand droughts, floods and erratic rainfall. Biodiversity & Agriculture: A Czech-UNDP-supported sanitation pilot in Kashitu is turning human waste from urine-diverting dry toilets into fertiliser for farmers, using training and demonstration plots to boost soil productivity. Clean Energy & Emissions: First Quantum highlighted trolley-assist mine trucks that can cut diesel use by up to 90%, supporting decarbonisation plans alongside renewable power procurement. Solar Investment: Nava Limited commissioned a 100MW solar project in Zambia, marking its entry into utility-scale renewables with ZCCM-IH as a local partner. El Niño Health Threat: Studies warn super El Niño heat could drive major additional heat deaths across southern Africa, with Zambia listed among affected countries.

Green Budget Planning: Cabinet has approved Zambia’s Green Paper for the 2027–2029 Medium Term Budget Plan, setting the fiscal direction for the 2027 Budget while warning El Niño-linked drought could squeeze implementation and food security efforts. Climate & Partnerships: Green Economy and Environment Minister Dr Gilbert Siame says Zambia is pushing climate action through new UK and China partnerships, including support for climate initiatives and stronger early warning systems. Renewable Power Push: Nava Limited commissioned a 100MW solar plant in Zambia (via Maamba Solar Energy Limited) and has started power evacuation under a 20-year PPA with ZESCO—another step toward utility-scale clean energy. Sanitation for Soil Health: In Kashitu, a Czech-UNDP-supported project is piloting urine-diverting dry toilets that turn human waste into fertiliser, paired with training and community ownership to help farmers facing declining soil fertility. Wildlife Health Alert: Zambia is investigating an anthrax outbreak in Muchinga after 46 hippo deaths, with intensified surveillance planned to protect livestock and people at the wildlife–livestock–human interface. El Niño Risk: Zambia’s UNGA climate messaging also ties into wider El Niño concerns, as global studies warn of severe heat impacts across southern Africa.

Sanitation for soil fertility: In Kashitu, Zambia, a Czech-UNDP supported pilot is using urine-diverting dry toilets and composting to turn human waste into fertiliser, with training, demonstration plots and a local sanitation club to help farmers cope with declining productivity and rising fertiliser costs. Renewables push: Nava Limited has commissioned a 100MW solar plant in Zambia via Maamba Solar Energy Limited, with power evacuation starting and a 20-year PPA with ZESCO—another step toward utility-scale clean energy. Climate resilience on the ground: UNDP and Government handed over the Community Recovery and Resilience Facility (CRRF) investments in Mambwe, including boreholes, water kiosks and irrigation support to strengthen preparedness for droughts, floods and erratic rainfall. Cleaner mining, lower emissions: First Quantum highlighted trolley-assist technology that can cut diesel use by up to 90% on mine ramps, supporting decarbonisation plans alongside other efficiency upgrades. Wildlife health alert: Zambia is investigating an anthrax outbreak in Muchinga after 46 hippo deaths, with intensified surveillance planned to track further wildlife deaths and possible livestock and human exposure. Education funding: ZANEC welcomed higher 2026 budget allocation to early childhood education, while warning that implementation, quality assurance and inclusive access still need stronger financing and coordination.

Renewables in the spotlight: Nava Limited has commissioned a 100MW utility-scale solar plant in Zambia via its Maamba Solar Energy Limited unit, with power evacuation to ZESCO underway and a 20-year PPA covering all output—another push to diversify Zambia’s energy mix under the Grow Zambia Agenda. Climate risk and health impacts: New research warns that super El Niño heat could drive major additional deaths across Africa, with WHO-style urgency echoed by calls for preparedness and stronger early warning and protection for vulnerable communities. Wildlife disease watch: Zambia is investigating an anthrax outbreak in Muchinga after 46 hippo deaths and possible human/livestock exposure concerns, with intensified surveillance and lab testing underway under a One Health approach. Critical minerals value-add: Zambia has been selected for a UN mechanism to help resource-rich countries build critical energy transition mineral value chains, aiming to boost local processing, industrial capacity and jobs. Energy systems cooperation: A new analysis highlights why Zambia and Zimbabwe must plan together for shared power and shared water at Kariba, since drought and grid disturbances don’t respect borders. Biodiversity protection via farming: Researchers are cloning Southern Africa’s wild fruit trees to protect miombo biodiversity and secure food and income as forests disappear.

Anthrax Watch in Muchinga: Zambia is investigating suspected anthrax linked to 46 hippo deaths and possible spillover to livestock and people, with intensified surveillance and lab testing after one hippo case was confirmed. Solar Power Push: Nava Limited commissioned a 100MW solar plant in Zambia under a 20-year PPA with ZESCO, with power evacuation to the national grid already underway. Critical Minerals Value-Add: Zambia was selected as one of six initial countries for a new UN mechanism to help resource-rich states build sustainable critical energy transition mineral value chains, jobs, and local processing. Climate Risk & Water Security: A report highlights why Zambia and Zimbabwe need a shared power strategy around Lake Kariba, where drought and grid disruptions can ripple across borders. El Niño Food Security Alarm: Coverage warns a “super El Niño” could drive severe hunger impacts across East and Southern Africa, raising pressure on early warning and climate-smart responses. EU-Zambia Cooperation: The EU called Zambia a “beacon of democracy” and backed deeper ties on investment, value addition, and critical minerals.

Critical Minerals Push: Zambia has been selected as one of six initial countries for a new UN Country Support Mechanism on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, aimed at helping resource-rich nations build sustainable mineral value chains, strengthen governance, and grow local processing and jobs. UN Climate Pressure: UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to submit credible, time-bound roadmaps to end the fossil fuel era, warning emissions keep rising even as solutions scale up. Zambia at UNGA81: Zambia’s ministers used the 81st UN General Assembly to push a “just transition” agenda under the Grow Zambia Agenda, linking climate resilience, development financing, and health priorities. Renewables Investment: Nava Limited says it has commissioned a 100MW solar project in Zambia and started power evacuation under a 20-year PPA with ZESCO. Water & Climate Risk: Kenya Re is seeking bids to map flood and earthquake catastrophe risks across East Africa as extreme weather concerns grow. Tech for Impact: Yango Fellowship wrapped up with 24 fellows from six countries, including Zambia, pitching projects such as smart waste collection and recycling and low-cost water-quality testing. Local Climate Action: Airtel Zambia announced tree-planting across provinces as part of its climate action drive.

Critical Minerals for Jobs: UN chief António Guterres launched a Country Support Mechanism on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, with Guinea, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe among the first beneficiaries, aiming to help countries process minerals locally, strengthen governance, and protect communities and the environment. Climate Fossil-Fuel Pushback: At UNGA81, Guterres urged countries to set clear timelines to move away from fossil fuels, warning fossil expansion locks in vulnerability while climate impacts intensify. El Niño Health Warning: WHO classified the expected El Niño impacts in Africa as a Grade Three emergency, flagging flooding-driven disease risks in parts of the region and drought-driven food and water crises in southern Africa, including Zambia. Tree Planting for Resilience: Airtel Zambia planted 500 trees across provinces in a Lusaka event, with the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment backing corporate action to boost climate resilience. Power for Mining and People: USTDA signed a feasibility-study deal to expand hydropower and upgrade electricity distribution along the Lobito Corridor, including Zambia, to improve reliability for mining and over three million residents. SME Trade Support: ITC and Access Bank agreed a three-year programme (starting in Ghana) to expand SME finance, skills and market access across 14 countries including Zambia.

El Niño health emergency: WHO says the strengthening El Niño’s expected impacts are a Grade Three emergency for Africa, with flooding likely to drive cholera and other waterborne diseases in parts of the region, while southern Africa faces severe drought that could worsen food insecurity and malnutrition, including in Zambia. Climate-linked hunger risk: Save the Children warns “super” El Niño could push about 8 million children in East and Southern Africa into acute hunger by early 2027, with Zambia among the affected countries. Trees for resilience: Airtel Zambia is planting 500 trees across all ten provinces, with the Lusaka event at Kaunda Square Secondary School, as part of climate action and community conservation. Critical minerals value-add push: The UN will support six countries—including Zambia—to extract more value from critical energy-transition minerals, aiming to move beyond raw-material exports into local industry. Power for mining and people: USTDA signed a feasibility study agreement with Anzana Electric Group to expand hydropower and upgrade electricity distribution along the Lobito Corridor, targeting more reliable power for mining and over three million residents in Zambia and the DRC. Biodiversity note: A regional conservation outlook ranks Zambia among leaders in protected land coverage in Eastern and Southern Africa, highlighting ongoing habitat protection efforts.

Copper & Environment Policy: Zambia’s Mines Permanent Secretary Dr Hapenga Kabeta says the push to reach 3m tonnes of copper annually will lift the country toward middle-income status, while government sets up an Environmental Protection Fund to stop mining firms shifting remediation costs to the State. Conservation Benchmarking: Kenya is ranked eighth in Eastern and Southern Africa for protected land coverage, with nearly 14% of territory conserved, while Zambia is listed at 41.27%—a useful yardstick for regional biodiversity planning. Water Finance at UNGA81: Zambia’s UNGA81 diplomacy highlights water investment push, with global leaders backing a Global Blended De-Risking Facility aimed at turning water priorities into bankable projects. Rhino Conservation Signal: World Rhino Day coverage spotlights rhino protection pressure and, in Zimbabwe, the first arrival of white rhinos to Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve alongside black rhinos—an example of intensive protection working. Mining Expansion Risks: A global report warns that the copper boom for renewables and AI can drive deeper mining into wildlands, raising biodiversity and water-stress concerns. Zambia at UNGA81: Zambia’s foreign affairs team is building new partnerships around the Grow Zambia agenda, including climate and eco-tourism cooperation. Ranger Support: Prince William backs Tusk’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge, with Zambia among the participating countries. Tech for Waste & Water: Yango Fellowship graduates 24 fellows across six countries, including Zambia, with projects spanning smart waste recycling and low-cost rural water-quality testing.

UNGA81 & Grow Zambia: Zambia’s UNGA81 push is underway in New York, with Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe backing the Grow Zambia agenda through new diplomatic links and climate-focused engagement, including a “Zambia Room” side event on climate, environment and development. Climate risk for Southern Africa: A “supersized” El Niño could drive floods and hunger, with forecasts warning that Zambia and neighbours may face deeper acute food insecurity. Mining power and the environment: First Quantum highlights its electric trolley-assist system at Kansanshi and Sentinel as a way to cut diesel use, while a separate global copper boom story warns that even “green” copper demand can push mining into wildlands, raising biodiversity and water-stress concerns. Zambia copperbelt developments: Koryx Copper plans to lift ownership in two Copperbelt licences to 80% and begins fieldwork, and KCM awarded an EPC contract for a tailings leach plant aimed at recovering copper from existing tailings. Wildlife & rangers: World Rhino Day coverage spotlights ongoing poaching pressure, and Prince William backed Tusk’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge with Zambia among the participating hubs. Energy reliability debate: An opinion piece argues Zambia’s installed power growth must translate into dependable, deliverable electricity for mines and households. Soil for smarter farming: Zambia’s soil sampling and mapping push is framed as a key step toward region-specific fertiliser and better yields.

El Niño and hunger risk: A “supersized” El Niño could push up to eight million children into acute hunger across East and Southern Africa, with forecasts warning of rising crisis hunger levels by March 2027. Wildlife health alert: Zambia is battling an anthrax outbreak in Muchinga Province, where dozens of wild animals have died and authorities warn people not to eat or handle carcasses. Conservation pressure on rhinos: World Rhino Day spotlights poaching-driven declines, even as some species recover under stronger protection and relocations. Ranger support: Prince William backed Tusk’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge, where ranger teams including Zambia took on a 21km course to raise funds for ranger welfare. Mining and environment: KCM is advancing tailings recovery with a $498m EPC deal for a leach plant in Chingola, while First Quantum promotes an electric trolley-assist system to cut diesel use at its Zambian mines. Food and climate readiness: Zambia’s finance minister says the country has enough food reserves to cushion El Niño impacts, citing recent bumper harvests. Biodiversity spotlight: A rare black-cheeked lovebird is highlighted as threatened by habitat loss and drought in southwestern Zambia. Agriculture soils: Zambia’s soil sampling and mapping push aims to tailor fertiliser to local nutrient needs, improving yields and cutting waste.

Anthrax Alert in Muchinga: Zambia’s disaster risk authorities say an anthrax outbreak has killed dozens of wild animals in the Munyamadzi Game Management Area, including hippos and elephants, and 12 people fell ill after eating meat from dead wildlife—residents are urged not to handle or consume carcasses. Mining Tailings, Cleaner Copper: Konkola Copper Mines signed a $498m EPC deal with China NERIN to build a wet-leach tailings recovery plant at Chingola, targeting about 70,000 tonnes of copper per year and testing whether legacy waste can be turned into productive capacity without new water and energy risks. Electric Haulage for Efficiency: First Quantum says its Quantum Electra-Haul electric trolley-assist system is cutting diesel use at Kansanshi and Sentinel mines, with up to 90% diesel savings on heavy up-ramps. Soil Sampling for Smarter Farming: Zambia’s soil sampling and mapping push aims to replace one-size-fits-all fertiliser with region-specific blends, helping farmers cut costs and improve yields. El Niño Preparedness: Government says food reserves are sufficient to cushion expected El Niño impacts, while monitoring vulnerable households for support. Wildlife Ranger Support: Prince William backed Tusk’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge, highlighting ranger welfare across African countries, including Zambia.

Anthrax Alert in Muchinga: Zambia reports an anthrax outbreak in the Munyamadzi Game Management Area, killing dozens of wild animals (including hippos and elephants) and infecting 12 people after they ate meat from dead wildlife; authorities warn residents not to handle or consume carcasses while surveillance and lab checks continue. El Niño Preparedness: Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says Zambia has enough food reserves after bumper harvests and is monitoring El Niño impacts closely, with measures aimed at protecting vulnerable households from poor yields. Ranger Welfare Push: The Wildlife Ranger Challenge at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy highlighted the risks rangers face and called for better equipment, fair pay, insurance and long-term investment, with teams from 21 African countries taking part. Zambia’s Biodiversity Spotlight: A feature on the black-cheeked lovebird notes its restricted range in southwestern Zambia and warns that habitat loss and drought threaten the species, with key habitat linked to mopane woodlands and protected areas. UNGA81 Diplomacy: Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe arrived in New York for UN General Assembly talks, aiming to advance Zambia’s Grow Zambia Agenda and strengthen cooperation, including a bid for the Human Rights Council. Clean Air Tech Recognition: AirQo, a Uganda-founded initiative using low-cost air monitors and open data, was named an Earthshot Prize finalist in the “Clean Our Air” category—relevant to Zambia’s own air-quality data gaps. Tailings Recovery Deal: Konkola Copper Mines signed a $498m EPC contract for a Chingola copper recovery plant targeting about 70,000 tonnes a year from existing tailings, raising the stakes for water, power, permitting and responsible closure planning.

Wildlife Health Alert: Zambia is warning communities after an anthrax outbreak in Muchinga Province killed dozens of wild animals, including 46 hippos and eight elephants, and sickened 12 people who ate meat from dead wildlife. Officials say surveillance and lab checks are ongoing and residents should not consume, sell, or handle carcasses. Mining & Water Risk: Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has signed a $498m EPC contract to build a copper tailings recovery plant at Chingola, targeting about 70,000 tonnes of additional copper per year—an ESG test focused on water, energy, permitting, closure planning and disclosure. Tourism Impact: The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road is deteriorating fast, with chiefs warning tourists are switching to flights as rehabilitation of the 440-km highway faces funding delays. Forestry Investment: The World Bank says it is ready to support Zambia’s $102m Lobito Plantation Forest Economy program to boost private investment, jobs and the timber value chain. Biodiversity & Conservation: A new study highlights African wild dogs setting a record trek across Zambia, underscoring the need to protect wildlife corridors. Diplomacy & Climate Finance Context: Zambia’s foreign minister has arrived in New York for UNGA81, with the Grow Zambia Agenda front and centre, while climate-vulnerable countries face debt burdens that can crowd out climate action.