Zambia Revenue Authority aims at 20 percent to contribution to GDP

CHALI MULENGA

Livingstone

THE Zambia Revenue Authority says it aims to contribute about 20 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but unforeseen events such as global economic shocks, pandemics and climate-related challenges continue to affect revenue collection.

ZRA acting Director for Executive Support Laban Simbeye said while the authority has made progress in domestic revenue mobilisation, external factors can disrupt even well-planned targets.

“Unforeseen circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, recurring droughts and global economic instability sometimes impact our projections. Yet we remain committed to optimising revenue collection and widening the tax net,” Mr Simbeye said.

He noted that Zambia’s tax-to-GDP ratio currently stands at about 20 percent, above the 15 percent benchmark recommended for sustainable development, but still below levels achieved by higher-performing economies.

Mr Simbeye said the authority has extended its Corporate Strategic Plan (CSP) to run from 2022 to 2026 to align with Government priorities. The plan focuses on four key areas: enhancing tax and customs compliance, improving taxpayer experience, strengthening business process efficiency and developing a competent workforce.

“Our core mandate is to increase revenue while ensuring all eligible taxpayers are included in the system. Tax and customs compliance is ZRA’s number one function,” he said.

He said ZRA has invested heavily in technology and internal capacity over the past five years, developing digital platforms such as Tax Online and Smart Invoicing. The authority has also customised the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) to meet Zambia’s specific needs, improving trade facilitation, data integrity and monitoring of exports, including mineral products.

The One Stop Border Post at Kazungula, Mr Simbeye said, demonstrates efforts to streamline cross-border trade and reduce operational delays, which is critical for a country heavily dependent on mining exports.

Mining remains a key driver of Zambia’s economy and a major source of ZRA revenue. Taxes from mining, including mining income tax, mineral royalties and export duties, contribute significantly to national coffers.

“Zambia’s economic development has historically been anchored on mining. The rail lines, roads and infrastructure that shaped our country were built around this sector more than 100 years ago, and it continues to drive growth today,” he said.

Mr Simbeye added that ZRA closely monitors mining-related tax contributions to ensure compliance and minimise revenue leakages.

He said ZRA’s contribution to Government expenditure has risen from about 55 percent in 2020 to over 71 percent last year, reducing reliance on domestic and foreign borrowing. The authority aims to finance up to 90 percent of Government spending in the medium term.

ZRA’s success has also attracted attention from other countries. Delegations from nations such as Liberia have visited Zambia to learn from the authority’s systems, particularly in tax compliance, digital innovation and trade facilitation.

“ZRA’s achievements are measured not only in revenue figures but also in building institutional capacity, improving taxpayer experience and contributing to national development,” Mr Simbeye said.

Zulu a Unifier of the People — Nyambe

By Chali Mulenga

Patriotic Front (PF) Southern Province Chairperson Golden Sifunga Nyambe has described newly elected party president Makebi Zulu as a unifier capable of bringing together members across the country following his election at the just-ended elective general convention.

Mr Nyambe said Mr Zulu’s victory was a clear indication of the confidence and trust that party structures at all levels have placed in his leadership, noting that the outcome reflected broad-based support from across the PF’s extensive grassroots network.

“For him to be elected by the structures, it shows that he is a unifying factor and has the support of the party across the country,” Mr Nyambe said in an interview.

He said the party’s presence in over 100 districts and more than 150 constituencies makes such an endorsement significant, adding that it demonstrates Mr Zulu’s acceptability among members from different regions.

Mr Nyambe stated that, on behalf of the PF structures in Southern Province and in his personal capacity, he wished to congratulate Mr Zulu on scooping the presidency at the convention held on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

“On behalf of the party structures in Southern Province and on my own behalf, I wish to congratulate President Makebi Zulu on scooping the presidency at the just-ended elective general convention,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the newly elected party leader would be guided by God’s wisdom and grace as he assumes office, especially at a time when the party is working to rebuild and reposition itself.

Mr Nyambe said the Southern Province leadership expects Mr Zulu to prioritise unity, strengthen internal cohesion and provide direction that will restore confidence among party members and supporters.

He added that the province is ready to support the new leadership in advancing the party’s agenda and ensuring that structures remain active and coordinated.

Mr Nyambe also emphasised the importance of collective leadership and inclusiveness, saying the party’s strength lies in its ability to bring together members from diverse backgrounds under a common vision.

“The expectation from the members is that the new president will unite the party and ensure that all structures are working together towards a common goal,” he said.

The PF held its elective general convention over the weekend as part of efforts to reorganise its leadership and chart a new course ahead of future political contests.

ZISM Tree-Planting Drive Targets Lasting Environmental Impact in Livingstone

The Zambia Institute for Strategic Management (ZiSM) has positioned its tree-planting exercise held alongside the 2026 Strategy Conference as a long-term environmental intervention aimed at strengthening climate resilience, Vice President Crallybell Nambeye Musonda has said.

Ms Musonda said the initiative, conducted during the conference, was deliberately designed to move beyond symbolic gestures and deliver measurable environmental benefits, including improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity and urban greening.

“We wanted this to be more than a ceremonial activity. The objective was to create a tangible environmental legacy linked to the conference while contributing to climate resilience,” she said.

She explained that sustainability measures had been put in place to ensure the survival of the planted trees, with local authorities and school environmental clubs tasked with custodianship. 

Pupils are expected to play a central role in watering, monitoring and maintaining the seedlings, including replacing those that fail to survive.

The exercise was anchored on the conference theme, “Shaping Zambia’s Future: Strategic Choices for Shared Prosperity,” which, Ms Musonda said, underscores the need to integrate environmental protection into national development.

“Tree planting is a strategic investment in natural capital. It demonstrates that economic growth, tourism and public health depend on how well we safeguard the environment,” she said.

She added that the initiative also targeted behavioural change among young people by positioning them as custodians of the country’s future.

“Through this programme, we are sending a clear message to pupils that they are not just beneficiaries of Zambia’s future, but active participants in protecting it,” she said.

Ms Musonda disclosed that pupils from local schools actively participated in the planting exercise and related learning sessions, with ZiSM planning to roll out sustained school outreach programmes, environmental education and annual green initiatives to maintain youth involvement.

To ensure accountability, she said the institute had set defined targets for tree planting during the conference and would expand the programme to other provinces while tracking survival rates.

“We are moving away from one-off interventions to measurable and scalable environmental programmes,” she said.

Ms Musonda further emphasised that ZiSM’s approach combines policy advocacy with practical action, including promoting green leadership and encouraging institutions to integrate sustainability into corporate strategies.

The exercise attracted participation from corporate partners, including the Bank of Zambia, National Pension Scheme Authority, Zambia Revenue Authority, Zambia National Commercial Bank, ZAMTEL Infratel and the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board, reflecting what Ms Musonda described as shared environmental responsibility.

She said the involvement of corporate institutions signalled a growing commitment to corporate social responsibility and long-term environmental investment, while also strengthening partnerships between government agencies, industry and communities.

“Tree planting with corporate partners demonstrates that protecting the environment is a shared national responsibility and a key component of sustainable development,” she said.

Meanwhile, ZiSM also launched the Organisational Strategy Diagnostic Assessment Tool (OSDAT) during the conference to help institutions bridge the gap between strategy formulation and implementation, which Ms Musonda said is critical to sustaining economic growth and achieving shared prosperity.

She noted that the combined outcomes of the conference would leave Livingstone with greener public spaces, increased youth awareness on environmental stewardship and strengthened collaboration between local institutions and national leaders.

“In this way, the conference leaves behind not just policy discussions, but a visible and living symbol of our commitment to sustainable development,” Ms Musonda said.

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.