What Decides Where the Kwacha Closes Each Day?
The kwacha’s closing rate is set by banks trading dollars with one another, not by the Bank of Zambia. Lubinda Sinyani explains who brings dollars in, who takes them out,…
Tag: kwacha
Zambia@62: A Self-Funded Independence Week for an Economy Told to Do More With Less
Cabinet Office has set the programme for Zambia's 62nd Independence Anniversary on 24 October 2026. Independence Week will run on existing budgets and community support, as the economy marks 62…
The Kwacha’s October Slide: Why Copper Dollars Are Not Enough
The kwacha has weakened from K17.87 per dollar in June to about K19.9 despite copper near US$14,000 a tonne. Kelvin Chisanga on the fuel bill, the policy rate and the…
Fuel Price Shock Hits Zambia’s Pump Stations, Carrying Multi-Layer Effects
Petrol is up K6.17 and diesel K6.41 a litre. Kelvin Chisanga explains why diesel matters most, how the end of tax relief feeds in, and why the real test is…
Zambia Raises Petrol to K31.46 and Diesel to K33.27 as Excise Duty Returns
The ERB has raised petrol to K31.46 and diesel to K33.27 per litre for October 2026, as higher oil prices, a weaker kwacha and the return of excise duty end…
Zambia Economy This Week: New Parliament, Copper Power Push, Rising Living Costs (7-11 September 2026)
224 new MPs took their seats as Hichilema pressed Vedanta on copper power investment and JCTR data showed Lusaka living costs still climbing despite 6.2% inflation.
Zambia After the Oath: The Economic and Diplomatic Tests of Hichilema’s Second Term
Zambia's second Hichilema term opens with cooler inflation, a pending IMF deal and a copper target that needs nearly a tripling of output, even as foreign observers question the election…
Events of the Week, 29 August 2026: Inflation at 6.2%, a Sealed Court and a Tuesday Inauguration
Inflation cooled to 6.2%, the petition window closed with the courts sealed, and copper held near $14,300. The week ahead belongs to the 1 September inauguration and the calendars it…
From K70 to K15: How Debt Restructuring Changed What Zambia’s Taxes Pay For
External debt service now takes about K15 of every K100 Zambia collects, down from nearly K70 before restructuring. Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa says the freed cash is funding…
Ten Days That Tested Zambia: Hichilema’s Re-election, Sealed Courts and a Cooling Inflation Rate
Zambia between 18 and 28 August 2026: Hichilema declared re-elected with about 60% of the vote, courts sealed on the petition deadline, Mundubile summoned over treason allegations, and inflation easing…