The Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, says the improved power supply is “here to stay,” with prospects for even more generation capacity coming on board.
While he acknowledges that the energy sector remains one of the country’s major challenges, with load shedding being the most painful issue faced by citizens during the year, Mweetwa says efforts are underway to reverse the situation.
Speaking as he featured on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview, Mweetwa attributed recent improvements in power supply, including up to 10 hours of electricity to power imports through Mozambique and the utilisation of regional transmission infrastructure, following high-level engagements by President Hichilema with neighbouring leaders.
He urther disclosed that government is accelerating investment in alternative energy sources, including solar and thermal power, citing progress at Maamba Collieries’ Phase Two thermal power plant, which is about 60 percent complete.
Key takeaways:
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
✅️ Indicated that Zambia’s macroeconomic indicators have significantly improved, with inflation declining from about 17 percent at the beginning of the year to approximately 10.9 percent in November, and projections pointing to single-digit inflation by the end of the year.
✅️ Described as “historic” the accumulation of over US$5.2 billion in foreign exchange reserves, giving Zambia more than five months of import cover for the first time in the country’s history.
✅️ Reiterated that Zambia is ending 2025 on a strong footing despite challenges arising from the devastating 2023–2024 drought, noting that the country remains firmly on the path to recovery, economic stability and inclusive governance.
✅️ Indicated that Zambia has made notable progress in key sectors, particularly agriculture, where the country recorded an unprecedented super bumper harvest in 2025.
✅️ Added that fuel prices, mealie meal prices and exchange rates have all shown positive trends.
✅️ Attributed these gains to what he described as focused, disciplined and methodical leadership by President Hakainde Hichilema, adding that Zambia has repositioned itself globally as a key player in copper and critical minerals production for the global clean energy transition.
ENERGY SECTOR
✅️ Acknowledged that the energy sector remains one of the country’s major challenges, with load shedding being the most painful issue faced by citizens during the year.
✅️ Confirmed that recent improvements in power supply, including up to 10 hours of electricity, are largely due to power imports through Mozambique and the utilisation of regional transmission infrastructure, following high-level engagements by President Hichilema with neighbouring leaders.
✅️ Assured Zambians that the improved power supply is “here to stay,” with prospects for even more generation capacity coming on board.
✅️ Further disclosed that government is accelerating investment in alternative energy sources, including solar and thermal power, citing progress at Maamba Collieries’ Phase Two thermal power plant, which is about 60 percent complete.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL NO. 7
✅️ Noted that the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s democratic development.
✅️ Disclosed that President Hichilema has directed all Members of Parliament, regardless of political affiliation, to return to their constituencies and explain the constitutional amendments clause by clause to citizens.
✅️ Said key provisions include constituency delimitation to improve representation and service delivery in large constituencies, as well as measures aimed at increasing the participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities in governance and decision-making.
✅️ Welcomed the positive reception of the amendments by women’s organisations, youth groups, labour movements and disability rights organisations, noting that their long-standing calls for reform had finally been addressed.
✅️ Expressed gratitude to citizens who publicly supported the constitutional amendments through various media platforms, saying their solidarity emboldened Members of Parliament to rise above partisan interests and act in the national interest.
✅️ Meanwhile, Mr.Mweetwa dismissed the purported expulsion of Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament who supported Bill No. 7, describing the move as illegal and politically motivated.
✅️ Categorically stated that there will be no by-elections arising from the alleged expulsions.
✅️ Explained that under Article 76 of the Constitution and the Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities Act, Members of Parliament are protected from external interference in how they debate and vote in the National Assembly.
✅️ Clarified that, as Chief Government Spokesperson, it is his constitutional duty to defend Parliament as one of the arms of government whenever it is subjected to unlawful attack, stressing that his remarks did not amount to interference in party affairs but constituted a defence of constitutional order.
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