Zambia strengthening social security, brags Brenda Mwika Tambatamba 

By Derrick Sinjela 

Labour and Social Security Minister Brenda Mwika Tambatamba says the United Party for National Development (UPND) New Dawn Administration will soon table the National Pension Scheme Bill, Public Service Pension Fund Bill, Local Authorities Superannuation Fund Bill, and the Pension Scheme Regulation Bill meant to strengthen social security in Zambia.

Officiating at the first 2026 Tripartite Consultative Labour Council (TCLC) meeting at Mulungushi International Conference Centre Kenneth Kaunda New Wing (MICC-KKNW) on Thursday, 15th January, 2025,

Serving as UPND Kasempa Member of Parliament (MP) in the NorthWestern Province, Ms. Tambatamba tagged four key pieces of legislation alluded to above, meant to address systemic governance weaknesses and demographic shifts.

Ms. Tambatamba explained that the proposed reforms will stabilize a sector previously marred by delayed disbursements and limited coverage.

“Key targets include increasing the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) income replacement rate from 40% to 45% and establishing a minimum pension threshold at 25% of national average earnings.

To provide immediate relief, the government is also exploring provisions to allow retirees to access a 20% lump sum of their contributions upon retirement. These reforms are central to President Hakainde Hichilema’s results-based governance agenda, designed to ensure measurable progress across the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA), Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF), Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF), and the Pensions and Insurance Authority (PIA),” said Ms. Tambatamba.

Parallel to the legislative updates, the MLSS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zambia Micro and Small Traders Foundation Cooperative Society (ZAMAST) and the Zambia National Marketeers Credit Association (ZANAMACA).

The agreement is meant to operationalize the 2023–2027 National Strategy by mobilizing marketeers and small-scale farmers into formal social security frameworks.

ZANAMACA President Mupila Kameya noted that over four thousands (4,000) markets and five (5) million informal operators, will be reached by the partnership as a critical step toward shielding vulnerable families from economic shocks and old-age poverty.

Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Blake Mulala cautioned against a total shift toward defined contribution arrangements, advocating instead for a defined benefit or hybrid system that guarantees predictable income.

Mr. Mulala dreamt to see increased worker representation on pension boards and the establishment of an independent Pension Appeals Tribunal.

On her part , Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) President Myra Ngoma sought reduced business operational costs translating into lower consumer prices to ease the pressure on wage negotiations and maintain the current industrial harmony.

International partners backed Zambia’s pension environment, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Director Wellington Chibebe commended ratification of ILO Convention 102, which sets global minimum standards for social security. Kwilanzi Newspaper Zambia (KNZ)

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