Amini Centre for Policy Research

When President Hakainde Hichilema and senior government officials intensified calls during the first half of 2026 for Zambia to transition towards a 24/7 economy, the proposal was presented as an answer to slow economic growth, unemployment and low productivity. Cabinet ministers subsequently encouraged both public and private institutions to embrace round-the-clock operations, arguing that more working hours would naturally translate into greater economic output. The ambition is...

Most people do not spend their time thinking about government bonds. And that is fair. Terms like “yield curves” and “liquidity” can feel distant from everyday life. But what if these ideas quietly shape how affordable loans are, how businesses grow and even how stable the economy feels? Zambia’s 2026 Benchmark Bond Policy which was launched in March by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, may sound technical, but at its heart, it is trying to solve a very practical problem, making...

Author: Dickson Jere Publishers: Nsemia Inc. There are few Zambians who have written about their experiences of working with Presidents, among them Vernon Mwaanga, Valentine Musakanya and Martin Kalungu Banda. Their books, though, covered other subjects. So Jere’s book stands out for being solely dedicated to the Presidency. He deserves praise for sharing his side of the story and we can only hope there will be more by others in such similar positions. The book is primarily about the author’s...