PPPs Key to Unlocking Zambia’s Development Financing – Simutowe

Chali Mulenga

The Ministry of Finance and National Planning has reaffirmed that Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) remain central to Zambia’s strategy for financing infrastructure and driving economic growth amid fiscal constraints.

Presenting at the Zambia Institute of Strategic Management (ZiSM) Conference on March 25, 2026, Principal Business Development and Promotions Officer in the PPP Office, Solomon Simutowe, said Zambia has strengthened its legal and institutional framework to enhance private sector participation in national development.

Mr Simutowe said the enactment of the Public-Private Partnership Act No. 18 of 2023, which became effective on February 2, 2024, marked a major reform milestone following the repeal of the 2009 law due to weaknesses in coordination, project execution and oversight.

“The new Act is designed to strengthen governance, improve efficiency in project delivery and attract more private sector participation,” he said.

He noted that the law is supported by Statutory Instruments No. 16 of 2024, No. 74 of 2024 and No. 54 of 2025, which operationalise the Act and establish a PPP Fund Administration framework to support early-stage project preparation.

Mr Simutowe said PPPs are guided by key principles such as affordability, value for money, optimal risk transfer and public benefit, emphasising that projects must deliver quality services to citizens at minimal cost.

He explained that under the framework, PPP projects can be initiated through solicited proposals by government institutions or unsolicited proposals from private sector players, with preliminary evaluations for the latter required within 14 days.

“PPPs are not optional but essential in bridging Zambia’s infrastructure financing gap, especially in the face of rising debt and limited public resources,” he said.

Mr Simutowe identified priority sectors for PPP investment as transport, energy, water and sanitation, healthcare, education, urban development, trade infrastructure and digital systems.

He said financing structures for PPPs include a mix of equity and debt, mezzanine financing and project finance through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), alongside innovative mechanisms such as blended finance, guarantees and viability gap funding.

He added that emerging instruments such as green bonds, climate funds and infrastructure funds are increasingly being promoted to support sustainable and climate-resilient projects.

Mr Simutowe said risk management remains a central component of PPPs, with emphasis on transferring financial, technical and operational risks to parties best equipped to manage them in order to improve efficiency and avoid cost overruns.

“Value for money is not about the lowest cost, but about achieving long-term efficiency and sustainability through competitive bidding and proper risk allocation,” he said.

Despite the progress, Mr Simutowe cited several challenges affecting PPP implementation, including weak project preparation capacity, difficulties in securing financing, limited participation by local investors, high costs of feasibility studies and lengthy approval processes.

He warned that low involvement of indigenous Zambian investors risks foreign dominance in PPP projects if not addressed through deliberate policy measures.

To address these challenges, Government is implementing reforms such as strengthening the PPP Office, introducing standardised contracts, accelerating approval systems and promoting innovative financing models.

Mr Simutowe also underscored the importance of capacity building to address technical gaps in PPP structuring and project development.

He said Zambia’s development challenges are largely driven by limited financing rather than lack of ideas, positioning PPPs as a critical bridge between ambition and funding.

“Collaboration between Government, the private sector and development partners is key to unlocking both capital and innovation for sustainable economic development,” he said.

Mr Simutowe added that PPPs contribute to job creation, improved infrastructure access and enhanced service delivery, ultimately supporting long-term economic growth.

ZUFIAW rolls out welfare schemes as Govt reviews labour laws

CHALI MULENGA

Livingstone

The Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers has introduced a raft of welfare initiatives for its members, with Government commending the move as it reviews labour laws to address challenges arising from the digital transformation of workplaces.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Mwika Tambatamba said the union’s introduction of support programmes such as baby hampers, hospital hampers, funeral grants and retirement packages reflects a strong commitment to improving members’ wellbeing.

Ms Tambatamba also launched ZUFI Financial Services, a subsidiary of the union, which will provide soft loans to members at affordable interest rates.

“These initiatives demonstrate focused leadership that prioritises the interests and welfare of workers,” she said.

The minister was speaking yesterday when she officially opened the 14th Quadrennial Conference of ZUFIAW in Livingstone, held under the theme “Digital Dawn: Transforming Work, Empowering Workers and Protecting Our Voices.”

Meanwhile, Ms Tambatamba said Government is reviewing the Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019 and the Industrial and Labour Relations Act to respond to emerging issues in the labour market driven by technological change.

She said Government is also in the process of repealing the Apprenticeship Act and replacing it with a Work-Based Learning Bill aimed at strengthening skills development.

Ms Tambatamba noted that digital technologies, automation and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming workplaces, creating both opportunities and risks.

“Technology should serve people and must not become a pathway to job losses or erosion of workers’ rights,” she said.

She said while digitalisation has the potential to enhance productivity and efficiency, there is need to ensure workers are equipped with relevant skills to adapt.

“Workers must be empowered through training so that they remain competitive in evolving work environments,” Ms Tambatamba said.

She also stressed the need to safeguard fairness and transparency in digital workplaces, warning against the misuse of technology to exploit workers or infringe on their privacy.

The minister said unions have a critical role to play in protecting workers’ voices, adding that digital platforms should strengthen, not weaken, collective bargaining.

She urged unions to embrace digital tools to improve communication, mobilisation and participation among members.

Ms Tambatamba said Government will continue promoting social dialogue through platforms such as the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council in collaboration with labour bodies including the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions.

She added that compliance with labour laws remains a priority, with the ministry conducting inspections and operating a toll-free contact centre to handle labour-related concerns.

Ms Tambatamba said Government, under President Hakainde Hichilema, remains committed to leveraging technology for economic growth through initiatives such as the establishment of the Ministry of Technology and Science.

She urged delegates to use the conference to chart a clear path on how unions will adapt to the changing world of work and ensure that digital transformation benefits workers.

The minister declared the conference officially open.

The Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) has urged Government and employers to safeguard workers’ rights amid rapid digital transformation, warning that technological advancement risks deepening inequalities if left unchecked.

Speaking during the official opening of the 14th Quadrennial Conference in Livingstone on Thursday, ZUFIAW president Marina Mwape Kabonga said the rise of digital platforms, artificial intelligence and automation must not come at the expense of job security and fair labour practices.

The conference, held under the theme “Digital Dawn: Transforming Work, Empowering Workers and Protecting Our Voices,” attracted labour leaders, union representatives and international delegates.

Ms Kabonga said while digital innovation presents opportunities for productivity and efficiency, it also brings challenges such as job displacement, workplace surveillance and widening income gaps.

“Technological progress must go hand in hand with social progress. Digital transformation must not become a tool for exclusion, exploitation or inequality,” she said.

She stressed the need for workers to be equipped with new skills to adapt to changing job demands and called for inclusive policies that allow employees to participate in decisions on the introduction and use of technology in workplaces.

Ms Kabonga further said unions must reposition themselves to remain relevant by embracing digital tools to improve communication, organisation and representation of members.

She said ZUFIAW, which has existed for over six decades, remains committed to promoting decent work, fair wages and social justice, adding that these principles must now extend into the digital space.

“Decent work in the digital era must include job security in the face of automation, protection from unjust technological practices and inclusion in decision-making processes,” she said.

Ms Kabonga also raised concern over emerging workplace practices such as algorithm-based decision-making and opaque performance systems, warning that these could worsen existing inequalities if not regulated.

She noted that workers continue to face unfair disciplinary processes, limited career progression and pay disparities, which risk being amplified by digital systems.

She reaffirmed the union’s commitment to defending labour rights and ensuring that existing agreements between unions and employers are upheld even as the nature of work evolves.

Ms Kabonga called for the adaptation of labour laws to address new forms of employment, including digital and platform-based work, stating that legal frameworks must remain responsive to emerging challenges.

She emphasised the importance of unity among workers, saying fragmentation weakens the labour movement’s ability to respond effectively to rapid workplace changes.

“Workers are not expendable in the face of technological change. They are the drivers of innovation and must be central to all transformation processes,” she said.

And Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, who officiated at the conference, called for stronger collaboration between Government, unions and employers to ensure that digital transformation benefits all stakeholders.

The four-day conference is expected to deliberate on strategies to strengthen worker protection, enhance skills development and position the union to effectively respond to the evolving world of work.

THE Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) has urged Government and stakeholders to safeguard workers’ rights as the country’s financial sector undergoes rapid digital transformation.

Speaking during the official opening of the 14th Quadrennial Conference in Livingstone yesterday, ZUFIAW General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Kasapo Sundrea Kabende said the rise of digital financial services, including mobile money platforms and unsecured digital lending, is fundamentally changing the nature of work.

Mr Kabende said the shift from traditional banking to digital platforms has increased access to financial services but warned that it also presents new risks for workers, including job insecurity and changing skill demands.

“Transformation of work is already here. People are increasingly using digital platforms instead of conventional banking systems, with mobile service providers now offering financial services such as loans,” he said.

He stressed that while the digital transition presents opportunities for growth and innovation, it must not come at the expense of workers’ welfare.

Mr Kabende said ZUFIAW is prioritising skills development to ensure its members remain competitive in the evolving labour market.

“We must empower workers by ensuring they upskill and reskill to remain relevant to the industry,” he said.

He added that failure to adapt could result in widespread displacement of workers who lack digital competencies.

Mr Kabende further called for strengthened labour organisation in the face of technological change, noting that collective action remains critical in protecting workers’ interests.

“We must continue to organise ourselves during this digital dawn to protect our voices. Issues of job security, decent work, social justice and favourable conditions of service must remain central,” he said.

The conference, being held under the theme *“Digital Dawn: Transforming Work, Empowering Workers and Protecting Our Voices,”* has drawn participants from local and international trade unions, Government representatives and labour stakeholders.

He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to advocating for workers’ rights and ensuring that no worker is left behind in the transition to a digital economy.

Livingstone PF Condemns Mundubile Over Alleged Constitutional Breach

 Livingstone PF Condemns Mundubile Over Alleged Constitutional Breach

The Patriotic Front (PF) in Livingstone has condemned Porokoso Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile for allegedly flouting the party constitution by aligning with the opposition Tonse alliance.

PF Livingstone Constituency Chairman, Thomas Kabanda said the party operates strictly under its constitution, which guides the conduct of members and the election of leaders. He said the recent developments in the Tonse alliance, which saw the PF’s patriotic branch reportedly removed, raise serious legal and ethical concerns.

“The patriotic branch, which was an anchor party in the Tonse alliance, has been removed by Danipules, Zimba, and others. Now, one of our members of parliament has been elected to lead that alliance, yet the party that sponsored him does not belong there,” Mr Kabanda said.

He said the PF constitution requires the election of leadership through a convention, scheduled for later this month, and until that process is completed, collaboration with the Mundubile faction cannot be recognised.

“For now, the Brian Mundubile group and the PF are two different entities. We are not going to join the Brian Mundubile group because it is not recognised by the PF constitution,” he said.

Mr Kabanda questioned the credibility of members who disregard party rules. “If someone can easily break the constitution of their own party, how safe is the national constitution in their hands? Leadership is not a one-man show,” he said.

He reaffirmed the PF’s loyalty to the party’s founding principles, tracing leadership from the late President Michael Sata to his successor Dr Edgar Chagwarungu, and the current leadership under the central committee.

“The PF we belong to is the one founded by President Michael Sata, succeeded by Dr Chagwarungu, and currently guided by the central committee. Anything else is not one of us,” Mr Kabanda said.

He further criticised potential alliances led by figures outside the PF, questioning their ability to form credible governments. He singled out Davis Mwila, a supporter of Mundubile, as part of the forces that have weakened the party.

“Our loyalty in Livingstone remains with the PF, its rightful leaders, and the central committee. Any person who disrespects our constitution shows a lack of respect for the rule of law,” he added.

End 

Kabanda questions cost of living, says economy ‘biting’ ordinary Zambians

By CHALI MULENGA in Livingstone

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Livingstone Constituency chairperson Thomas Kabanda has questioned the state of the economy, saying rising living costs have made it difficult for many families to afford basic necessities.

Mr Kabanda said if the economy was performing well, ordinary citizens would be able to afford three meals a day without struggle.

“In a country like ours, why should our people fail to afford three meals a day if the economy is performing well?” he asked.

He expressed concern over the financial pressures facing civil servants, arguing that recent salary increments are insufficient to cushion them from the high cost of living.

Mr Kabanda cited a K700 increment for some workers, saying statutory deductions such as Pay As You Earn (PAYE), National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) contributions and union fees significantly reduce the net amount.

“If you take out deductions like NAPSA, PAYE and union contributions, what remains? It is something that cannot buy much,” he said.

The PF official said many families are struggling to meet daily household needs, including purchasing mealie meal, which remains a staple food for most Zambians.

“Zambians are waking up every day worried about how to put food on the table. If you are a married man and your wife asks you to buy a bag of mealie meal, you have to think twice,” he said.

Mr Kabanda said the rising cost of essential commodities is putting pressure on households and contributing to growing frustration among citizens.

He urged Government to pay attention to the concerns of ordinary people and implement measures that will ease the burden on workers and low-income families.

“The economy is biting,” Mr Kabanda said. “We must ensure that policies translate into real relief for the common citizen.”

He said leaders must prioritise interventions that improve purchasing power and stabilise the cost of basic goods to ensure that citizens can live with dignity.

Kabanda calls for unity, respect for democracy ahead of polls

By CHALI MULENGA in Livingstone

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Livingstone Constituency chairperson Thomas Kabanda has urged Zambians to rise above political differences and uphold democratic principles as the country heads towards the next general elections.

Mr Kabanda said citizens must “fly above” their problems and divisions for the sake of national unity, in line with the One Zambia, One Nation motto.

“Above our problems, we must all strive to fly above our differences together for the sake of our mother Zambia,” he said.

He noted that President Hakainde Hichilema has repeatedly emphasised unity under the theme “One Zambia, One Nation, One People,” adding that such unity must be reflected in decision-making and governance.

Mr Kabanda said democracy is anchored on equality, freedom and respect for divergent views.

“Through our history, the most important aspect of democratic life has been the principle of individual equality and freedom,” he said. “Citizens in a democracy must be entitled to equal protection of their persons, possessions and rights. They must have equal opportunity to pursue their lives and careers and equal rights of political participation.”

He said democratic societies must guarantee freedoms within the framework of the law, including the right to believe, speak and express differing opinions without fear of insult or intimidation.

“If I have a different view from someone, I must not be insulted for expressing that view. That is not democracy. Each person’s view must be respected,” Mr Kabanda said.

The PF official said political parties are a necessary part of democratic governance because rival parties give voters meaningful choices.

“Rival parties make elections meaningful by giving voters candidates who represent different interests and points of view,” he said.

Mr Kabanda also appealed for tolerance and forgiveness, describing Zambia as a Christian nation that should be guided by love and reconciliation.

He referenced the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, saying the country must overcome divisions and heal.

“As a country, we must heal. There is a lot of hate amongst ourselves,” he said, adding that political leaders must preach peace and genuine love as the nation approaches elections.

Mr Kabanda further called for equitable sharing of national resources and urged leaders to pay attention to the concerns of ordinary citizens.

Quoting former United States president Thomas Jefferson, Mr Kabanda said government must prioritise the welfare of the common citizen.

“I favour a government that pays more attention to the common citizen,” he said, urging leaders to listen to the voices of the people instead of making empty pronouncements.

Mr Kabanda emphasised that Zambians should be allowed to freely elect leaders of their choice without interference.

“We have only one country. Let the people democratically elect the leaders they want. If they are given that space of freedom, they will choose,” he said.

He maintained that unity, equality, respect for rights and genuine commitment to democratic values are key to national development and peaceful elections.

Kabanda urges end to election violence

By CHALI MULENGA in Livingstone

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Livingstone Constituency chairperson Thomas Kabanda has called for the depoliticisation of the electoral process and urged stakeholders to work together in ending political violence.

Mr Kabanda said Zambia’s national values and principles, as enshrined in Article 8 of the Constitution of Zambia, should guide the conduct of political players ahead of forthcoming elections.

He said the country cannot speak about democracy and development without safeguarding life and human dignity.

“Nothing can have value without life. When we talk about national values and principles, we must start by protecting life,” Mr Kabanda said.

He cited morality and ethics, patriotism and national unity, democracy and constitutionalism, human dignity, equity and social justice, good governance and integrity, and sustainable development as key pillars that must be upheld.

Mr Kabanda urged political parties to bury differences and focus on fostering unity under the One Zambia, One Nation motto.

He appealed to the Church, civil society organisations and traditional leaders to advise political players on the need to find sustainable solutions to election-related violence.

Mr Kabanda said although there have been statements suggesting that political violence has reduced, there are incidents that require clarity from law enforcement agencies.

He cited the alleged harassment of a lawmaker in Kabwe, an attack on the PF secretariat and other incidents of violence reported in various parts of the country.

In Livingstone, Mr Kabanda referred to disturbances that occurred during voter registration exercises at Mbita Market, where a police officer was reportedly shot and suspected cadres allegedly brandished pangas.

He said the public needs to know the status of investigations and whether suspects have been apprehended.

Mr Kabanda has since appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to ensure that the forthcoming elections are conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner.

He also called on the Church to continue speaking out against injustices, noting that religious leaders have previously addressed issues affecting citizens, including the high cost of living during the tenure of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Mr Kabanda said free and fair elections can only be achieved if political parties restrain their cadres and allow electoral officers and polling agents to carry out their duties without intimidation.

He said once people cast their votes, they should be allowed to return home peacefully and wait for results instead of congregating at polling stations.

Mr Kabanda emphasised that national development will only be realised if political players accept shortcomings and collectively work towards unity and sustainable progress.

PF QUESTIONS PRESIDENT’S CALL FOR UNITY

 

By CHALI MULENGA
Livingstone

THE (PF) in Livingstone has criticised President ’s recent address to the nation, saying it did not adequately address the continued delay in the burial of Zambia’s sixth Republican President, , and the rising cost of living.

PF Livingstone constituency information and publicity secretary Edward Miti said in an interview that while the President emphasised unity, peace and love, he did not mention the status of the late Mr Lungu’s burial.

Mr Miti said many Zambians remain concerned about the matter and feel the country is still in mourning.

“As Zambians, we are still in a state of mourning because the former Head of State has not yet been laid to rest. We expected that the President would address that issue,” he said.

He said it was important for leaders to demonstrate unity through actions, particularly during periods of national grief.

Mr Miti also questioned Government’s assertion that the economy is improving, stating that the reported decline in inflation and stabilisation of the kwacha have not translated into lower prices of essential commodities.

He said many households are struggling to afford basic food items, including mealie meal, and are facing challenges with electricity tariffs.

“People are finding it difficult to afford even one meal a day. When they buy electricity units, they do not last long. These are the realities on the ground,” he said.

Mr Miti further alleged that the distribution of mealie meal in some areas is being politicised ahead of the general elections.

He also accused Government of selectively applying anti-corruption measures, claiming that only certain individuals are being targeted.

On infrastructure, Mr Miti said some developmental works in Livingstone, such as installation of solar street lights and road maintenance, appear to have intensified as the country approaches the election period.

He cited the Livingstone–Sesheke Road, which he said had previously been declared a priority but has not been fully rehabilitated.

Efforts to get a comment from State House by press time proved futile.