Chitambala Mwewa puts waste innovation, digital marketing and cleaner public spaces at the centre of Lusaka’s city tourism ambitions.
BUSAN, 26 October 2026. Lusaka Mayor Chitambala Mwewa has called for global partnerships in smart city solutions, turning waste into valuable products and digital destination marketing to support sustainable tourism in Zambia’s capital.
Delivering his Mayoral Statement at the Mayors’ Roundtable during the second Global City Tourism Summit in Busan, South Korea, Mwewa said Lusaka wants to build its appeal around culture, heritage, local cuisine and community experiences.
He described the capital as a city of an estimated 3.1 million people and pointed to Kabwata Cultural Village, city food tours and township arts as examples of the experiences that could help distinguish Lusaka as a destination.
Cleaner streets are part of the tourism offer
Mwewa said tourism growth depends on reliable infrastructure, effective waste management, environmental protection and public spaces that are properly maintained.
He highlighted the Make Lusaka Clean, Green and Healthy Campaign as part of the city’s efforts to improve its environment, stressing that sustainable tourism begins with cleanliness.
The message connects Lusaka’s tourism ambitions with the everyday services residents use. Clean public spaces and dependable waste collection matter to the visitor experience, while cultural attractions can create opportunities for local guides, artists, food vendors and hospitality businesses.
A shared tourism vision for 2040
The summit is being held under the theme “Local Tourism: Connecting Urban Economies and Tourism Innovation”, bringing together mayors and delegates to exchange approaches to inclusive growth through tourism.
Mwewa urged cities to work towards a Common Vision for Sustainable City Tourism in 2040 that supports vibrant urban economies, innovation and liveable cities.
Mayors and delegates also signed a declaration setting out a shared understanding of that vision.
For Lusaka, the next step will be translating the call for partnerships into practical projects. The announcement did not set out funding commitments, named delivery partners or implementation dates for the proposed smart city and waste innovation initiatives.
