Brian Mundubile, Patriotic Front 2026 presidential aspirant, asked President Hakainde Hichilema to pause Zambia’s constitutional amendment process and stop the 25-member technical committee until after the 2026 elections. He said the country lacks time for a credible and inclusive review. Mundubile questioned the committee’s composition, claiming most members support the ruling UPND. He warned that rushing the process could leave stakeholder concerns, including those on Bill No. 7, unaddressed.

Members of the Patriotic Front in Parliament met with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to address challenges in the ongoing voter registration exercise. MPs raised concerns about delays in the deployment plan, lack of national registration card officers, malfunctioning equipment, short registration timelines, and inadequate voter education. ECZ officials acknowledged the issues, pledged corrective action, and clarified that electronic voting will not be used in the 2026 elections but is planned for the 2031 elections.

First Quantum Minerals (FQM) is expanding investments to help Zambia reach its goal of producing 3 million tons of copper annually by 2032. The company plans to boost output through advanced technology, local participation, and sustainable mining practices while partnering with ZESCO and others to strengthen the national power grid. FQM’s initiatives align with Zambia’s record production surge and $10 billion in new mining investments amid rising global copper demand.

Zambia reaffirmed its support for African Development Bank President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah’s plan to create a new African financial framework aimed at strengthening the continent’s economic sovereignty. During talks in Lusaka, President Hakainde Hichilema pledged $5 million to the African Development Fund and explored collaboration on energy, transport, and trade. They also reviewed Zambia’s Mission 300 plan to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 and boost regional integration and sustainable growth.

AgDevCo invested $10 million in Zambia’s Hybrid Poultry to build a modern abattoir and expand processing capacity. The project will create about 270 direct jobs and support local skills development while enabling exports to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hybrid, part of the African Poultry Development Group, works with over 2,000 smallholder farmers. The new facility will use sustainable technologies to meet growing domestic and regional poultry demand.

The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange says it delayed implementing its MoU with commodity exchanges in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania due to a lack of harmonized trading standards. The March 2025 agreement aims to boost cross-border commodity trade and capital mobilization. CEO Collen Tapfumaneyi said partners must align grading systems, quality standards, and regulatory clearances before trading starts under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.