Ahead of South Africa’s 4 November local elections, municipalities face weak audit outcomes, substantial irregular expenditure, mounting unpaid bills and deteriorating services. The piece argues that corruption is only part of the problem: poor planning, vacant technical posts, weak controls and political interference also undermine local government. It challenges all parties to present credible municipal teams and practical, funded plans, and calls for transparent coalition agreements, stronger professional administration, differentiated support for municipalities, and public maintenance and asset plans. Debt relief and government interventions can help, but lasting improvement depends on credible billing, revenue collection, infrastructure upkeep and continuity of competent technical staff.

Angola’s Lobito port and railway give it a strategic role in moving copper and cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia to global markets, but infrastructure ownership alone will not ensure broad economic gains. The corridor could become little more than a transit route unless Angola develops local agriculture, processing, logistics and industrial services alongside mineral transport. The article calls for transparent rail tariffs and fair access for smaller businesses, complementary investment in roads, storage, power and cold chains, and targeted support that makes agricultural shipments viable without undermining railway finances. It also highlights practical opportunities such as equipment maintenance, engineering, packaging, warehousing, insurance and freight services.

A multistorey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi's Eastleigh district, leaving at least 11 people missing and others feared trapped. Two injured people were rescued and taken to hospital, while rescue teams worked through the rubble amid delays in heavy machinery arriving. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said businesses had been operating on the ground floor, and Governor Johnson Sakaja said the building had approval for construction but no certificate of occupation. Authorities continued rescue operations and began investigating the collapse.

The State argues that Celestine Mukandila should have appealed to the relevant minister or permanent secretary before seeking judicial review of the cancellation of his National Registration Card and passport, and has asked the Lusaka High Court to dismiss his application with costs. Mukandila says he is a Zambian citizen by descent through his mother and that his citizenship was previously recognised by Zambian authorities. He argues that the cancellation was unlawful because he received no prior notice, hearing or written reasons, and that the law does not authorize administrative cancellation of an NRC by Gazette notice. He is seeking permission to begin judicial review proceedings and a stay of the cancellation notice.

Former Ministry of Health permanent secretary Kennedy Malama denied terminating Savenda Management Services’ contract to supply 50 ambulances. He challenged prosecution evidence, noting that a procurement authority officer had not reviewed the disputed contract and could not confirm that Malama terminated it. Malama also questioned why he was charged when the prosecuting officer said he had not arrested him. The court adjourned the case to December 10 and 11 after a lawyer requested time because his client was unwell.

Zambia’s exports to China reached US$1.665 billion in May and June 2026, nearly 40 percent higher year-on-year, with China’s zero-tariff measures cited as a contributing factor. The countries have begun shipping heat-processed cocoons and soybeans to China and are working on export protocols for avocados and citrus. Chinese Ambassador Han Jing also said construction of the joint ZAMVAX vaccine plant is expected to begin soon, with annual capacity of 20 million cholera vaccine doses. He described plans to deepen cooperation in copper and cobalt and encourage Chinese investment in agro-processing, food manufacturing, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Zambia has secured a US$3.6 million SOFF grant to upgrade automatic weather and rainfall stations, while the government is financing a lightning detection network and introducing AI-supported forecasting and expanded climate advisories for farmers. Minister Gilbert Siame warned that El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole point to hotter-than-normal conditions and below-normal, delayed or uneven rainfall in much of the country during the 2026/2027 season. Southern and Western provinces face the greatest drought risk, while northern areas are forecast to receive normal-to-above-normal rainfall; localized flooding remains possible. The government plans to reach more than one million farmers with digital advisories this season and four million by 2029, and is advancing legislation to establish a Zambia Meteorological Authority and Weather and Climate Fund.

Zambia's Ministry of Agriculture urged agro-dealers to keep adequate stocks so farmers can redeem e-vouchers for the 2026/2027 Farmer Input Support Programme without delays. As of October 23, 2026, 675,459 farmers—65.93 percent of the target—had redeemed inputs, a faster pace than in the same period last year. The ministry encouraged farmers to redeem inputs promptly, follow weather advisories and seek advice on suitable crops and climate-smart practices amid potential El Niño-related rainfall disruption. It also warned farmers to protect redemption codes and use accredited dealers, while saying it would continue monitoring the programme.

Zambia’s government says it is prioritising trade facilitation, more efficient border procedures and transport infrastructure to reduce business costs and strengthen the country’s role as a regional trade hub. The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched the Trade Obstacles Alert Mechanism, developed by the International Trade Centre, initially focused on transport and logistics. Businesses can use it to report barriers such as high transport costs, border delays and cumbersome transit procedures, generating evidence for policy dialogue and practical responses. Officials and business representatives say lowering logistics costs is important for competitiveness, exports and economic growth, and urged cooperation among government, businesses and transport operators.

The constitutional bail hearing for opposition leaders Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu, former Anglican bishop Trevor Mwamba, and 15 others has been adjourned to October 28, 2026. The State and defence agreed to remove two officials sued in their personal capacities and add Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri as a respondent. Defence lawyer Sakwiba Sikota said the accused accepted the preliminary changes to avoid further delays, while criticizing the State for seeking more time and noting that the 18 detainees had not been brought to court. The judges ordered that the accused be produced at the next hearing. The detainees face charges including treason and terrorism-related offences and say the State violated their rights by not bringing them before a competent court for about two months after their apprehension.