News Digest - Friday, October 10th, 2025

Zambia focuses on critical areas of national development today, with initiatives enhancing transport safety and boosting agricultural productivity, alongside significant cultural moments and legal proceedings demanding accountability.

Main Stories

1. Yango Zambia Enhances Ride-Hailing Safety with Driver Training
   Partnering with Copper Rose Zambia and RTSA, Yango trained 50 drivers in Lusaka on defensive driving, mental health, GBV sensitivity, customer service, and emergency first aid, directly improving professionalism and safety for passengers and drivers across our growing ride-hailing sector.
2. ZAMACE Launches Input Loan Facility for Smallholder Farmers
   The Zambia Commodities Exchange (ZAMACE) and NewGrowCo Zambia introduced a 100% loan repayment scheme for smallholder farmers in Lusaka, Chongwe, Mpongwe, and Mkushi, using the Warehouse Receipt System to transform harvested crops into collateral, directly supporting increased agricultural capacity and food security.

Other Notable Stories

• Governance & Justice:
  • Businessman Harry Findlay seeks default judgement in the Lusaka High Court against Frank Zimba, administrator of the 'Fimba Upoke' Facebook page, for alleged libel and slander after publications linked him to drug dealing and the death of former President Edgar Lungu, demanding an apology, retraction, removal of posts, and damages.
• Arts & Culture:
  • Beloved actress Wanga Zulu (Mai Guru from 'Mpali') has passed away, prompting widespread national mourning; her death during Cancer Awareness Month brings poignant focus to the disease, recalling her public cancer battle in 2014.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• Monitor the rollout and impact of Yango's driver safety training on passenger experiences and road safety standards within Zambia's transport sector.
• Track the implementation and farmer uptake of the new ZAMACE/NewGrowCo input loan scheme in the pilot districts of Lusaka, Chongwe, Mpongwe, and Mkushi.