Press Statement Wednesday 4th February, 2026 Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa on the decisions made by Cabinet at the 1st Cabinet Meeting.

Press Statement Wednesday 4th February, 2026
Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa on the decisions made by Cabinet at the 1st Cabinet Meeting.

The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, called for the I st Cabinet Meeting in the New Year, 2026, on Monday, 2nd February, 2026, at State House, to deliberate on policy and legislative matters aimed at facilitating continued development of the country por the benefit of the people,
Cabinet made the following decisions:
Road Sector Investment Plan Ill (RoadSIP Ill).

Cabinet approved the Road Sector Investment Plan Ill (RoadSIP Ill) for Implementation during, the period 2025–2035.
In order to provide a guiding framework for investments in the road sector and ensure the roacl sector is capable of contributing to the economic and social development of Zambia.
Over the years, Government in collaboration with its Cooperating Partners has implemented Road SIP I and Il and other road development programmes and projects which have resulted in improvements to Zambia’s road network.
Despite this, several key concerns have arisen that Road Sector Investment Plan Ill (RoadSIP Ill) seeks to address and these include increasing road sector debt, lack of Road Sec:tor Investment Plan and lack of a coordinated medium to long term Road Sector Implementation Plan for the past twelve years.
‘The Road SIP Ill will, therefore, ensure the road network is developed and maintained in a sustainable manner and capable of contributing to the economic and social development of the country.
2. Brand Zambia Initiative Proiect.
Cabinet approved the establishment of Brand Zambia Initiative Project etcetera, in order to create a cohesive and cross-sectoral framework that enhances global competitiveness, promotes national pride and leverages Zambia’s cultural, natural and economic assets.
currently, Zambia’s promotional efforts arc dispersed across multiple agencies, thereby leading to inconsistent messaging and limited global visibility. The Brand Zambia Initiative will, therefore, address this gap by providing a coordinated, cross-sectoral branding framework that aligns ministries, agencies, the private sector, civil society and development partners under a single national narrative.
3. Legislation Matters:
(a) The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
Cabinet approved a Bill entitled “The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2026,” for publication and introduction in parliament during the next sitting.
The objective of this Bill, among others, is to amend the Disaster Management Act, so as to integrate risk management in the prevention and mitigation of a disaster, preparedness and response to a disaster, and post management of a
disaster.
Currently, the Disaster Management Act Cap. 132, provides response to disasters, with limited emphasis on risk reduction, prevention, and resilience building, this has resulted in the creation of a reactive and unsustainable approach in the prevention and mitigation of disasters.
Therefore, there is need to amend the Disaster Management Act. Cap. 132, in order to adopt a framework that addresses disaster risk across all sectors of Government.
(b) The Water Supply and Sanitation Services Bill, 2026.
Cabinet approved a Bill entitled “The Water Supply and Sanitation Services Bill, 2026,” for publication and introduction in Parliament during the next sitting.
The objectives of this Bill are to continue the existence of the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council and re-define its functions; constitute the Board of the Council and provide for its functions; provide for the regulation of water supply and sanitation services; provide for the licencing of utilities; and promote access to sustainable water supply and sanitation services.
Currently, the Water Supply and Sanitation Act’ Cap. 180, does not adequately address the challenges in the water supply and sanitation sector, in relation to climate change, rapid urban expansion, and evolving service delivery demands, thereby weakening the legal framework for regulation, compliance, and enforcement.
The Bill, once enacted, will establish a modern and robust legal framework to enhance service delivery, protect public health’ Strengthen regulatory oversight
and ensure sustainable management of water supply and sanitation services in the country.
(c) The Investment, Trade and Business Development (Development of Premises and Operation of Business) Regulations, 2026.
Cabinet approved the Investment, Trade and Business Development (Development of Premises and Operation of Business) Regulations, 2026, to be issued under the Investment, Trade and Business Development Act No. 18 of 2022.
Since the enactment of the Act in 2022, no new regulations have been issued to provide for the procedural framework on Special Economic Zones development and management required for better implementation of the Act. If the current Act is to be fully implemented there is, therefore, need for new regulations to be issued, in order to revoke the old regulations premised on the repealed Zambia Development Agency Act No. 1 1 of 2006.
This will ensure alignment of the regulations with current legal standards, national economic policies and international best practices in zone development and management. Further, the regulations will streamline the establishment and operation of special economic zones, thereby attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment into priority sectors and promote industrialisation, value addition, export promotion and employment creation.
(d) Introduction of a Permit System on Sulphuric Acid.
Cabinet approved the issuance of a Statutory Instrument on the introduction of a permit-based export system on sulphuric acid, in order to ensure sustained availability for domestic industries, safeguard industrial output, and support Zambia’s copper production and economic growth agenda.
Sulphuric Acid is a critical input used in the mining. manufacturing and agriculture industries. Zambia is a significant producer Of sulphuric acid within the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa region.
In August, 2025, the country experienced shortage Of sulphuric acid, which had begun to disrupt production in copper processing, In light of the unresolved shortage of sulphuric acid, Cabinet has decided, going forward, to utilise a permit based export regulation mechanism, so as to address the critical issue of the local’ shortage of sulphuric acid.
(e) The National Heritage conservation Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, The National Museums (Repeal) Bill 2026, and the Heritage Regulations Bill, 2026.
Cabinet approved in principle, to the introduction of these Bills in Parliament, in order to strengthen the governance, and management of natural and cultural heritage and provide for a regulatory framework in the preservation and management of movable and immovable heritage:
The specific objectives of the Bills are to provide for clear guidelines on governance and management of institutions involved in preserving and managing natural and cultural heritage; provide for the effective management and preservation of natural and cultural heritage; and provide for the registration of the Heritage Regulation.
The National Heritage Conservation Commission Act and the National Museums Act are inadequate in dealing with effective management and preservation of natural and cultural heritage. There is, therefore, need to re-align the responsibility over movable and immovable heritage and also provide for the regulation of the heritage sub-sector.
(f) The Tolls (Tom Mtine Toll Plaza) Regulations, 2026.
Cabinet approved the issuance of a Statutory Instrument on Tom Mtine Plaza, so as to operationalise the newly constructed Toll Plaza, the Tom Mtine Toll Plaza on the Ndola, Sakania, Mufulira Road, under the Public Private Partnership.
The commencement of operations at tke Toll Plaza will improve transport efficiency by providing a faster and more reliable corridor, particularly supporting cross-border and port related economic activities.
4. Hosting of the 9th General Assembly of the Organization of Military Sport in Africa.
Cabinet approved the hosting of the 9th General Assembly of the Organization of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA) to be held in Livingstone from 30th March to 3rd April, 2026. The OSMA will be held under the theme, “Friendship through sports,” in order to set standards in Military sports discipline as well as promoting peace mediation through sports.
The OSMA is a continental recognised organisation that champions Military sports within the Member States in Africa. Hosting the 9th General Assembly in Zambia would, therefore, position the country at the forefront of continental modern sports discipline, particularly at a time when sports worldwide, are going through rapid transformation. The General Assembly provides a unique platform for engagement among different sports experts from across Africa• It will also foster collaboration, knowledge exchange and professional development in the field of Military sports. Further, hosting the General Assembly will provide the country with an opportunity to showcase its leadership and progress in various sports disciplines.
5. African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
Cabinet approved the submission and official deposit of the first Country Report on the African Charter on Democracy Elections and Governance to the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in order to benchmark the country’s democratic and human rights achievements, as a basis upon which to improve and grow our democracy.
Zambia, as a Member State of the African Union (AU), signed the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance on 31st January, 2010, and subsequently ratified it on 3 1st May, 2011. The Charter is a key continental legal instrument aimed at promoting democratic governance, constitutionalism, the rule of law, and credible electoral processes among AU Member States.
Submission of the African Charter on Democracy Elections and Governance Report is expected to enhance the country’s ability to comply with the requirement of reporting on the Charter, and also present the country with opportunities to reaffirm its commitments to uphold democracy and the provisions of the Charter.
6. Zambia’s 8th Periodic Report on the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
Cabinet approved the 8th National Report on the Implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), including the 1st Periodic Report on the Maputo Protocol, and the Initial Report on the Kampala Convention (8th ACI-IPR National Report), for submission to the African Union Commission as per State Party requirements.
Member States of the African Union that have ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights are required to periodically prepare and submit State Party Reports to the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights. Zambia ratified the ACI-IPR on 10th January, 1984, and is, therefore, obligated to comply with the Charter’s reporting requirements.
States Parties are further required to adopt appropriate legislative, administrative, and judicial measures to give effect to these rights and to ensure access to effective remedies. Zambia is among the States Parties scheduled to be reviewed by the African Commission at its forthcoming Session.
7. Report of the Second (2nd) Round National Risk Assessment: Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment.
In winding up deliberations for the day, Cabinet reflected on Zambia’s finalisation of the Second (2nd) Round National Risk Assessment on Money Laundering,
Terrorism Financing and Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment, and that the Report is ready for its publication and commencement of implementation of recommendations contained therein.
The publication and circulation ofthe National Risk Assessment results will enable the private sector stakeholders to better understand the Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proliferation Financing risks in their own sectors, as well as other sectors they have dealings with. Further, this will allow the private sector to better assess the adequacy of their internal controls in mitigating the risks identified and to strengthen these controls where necessary.
The general public at large will equally benefit from greater awareness of the Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proliferation Financing risks in Zambia.

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