Zambia Environmental Management Agency

07/10/2026

ZEMA TRAINS HONORARY INSPECTORS

ZEMA has convened an orientation training of prospective Honorary Inspectors. The training has brought together Public Health Inspectors, Environmental Health Officers, planners, Agriculture Officers and other environmental practitioners from Public Institutions and the Private Sector from 18 districts across the country. The training aims at strengthening environmental compliance beyond areas where ZEMA has no physical presence.

The Agency is implementing the training under the ‘Special Programme Project on Strengthening Institutional Capacity for the Sound Management of Chemicals and Wastes in Zambia.
The project specifically recognizes the devolution of ZEMA functions so as to promote the inclusion of other government agencies/departments in the appointment of honorary inspectors located in provinces and districts where ZEMA may not be present. This will also strengthen broader institutional approaches intended to improve coordination, build national capacity and support environmental compliance across the country.

ZEMA Acting Director General- Mr. Christopher Kanema, flagged off the training on Tuesday, 6th October 2026 in Ndola. Mr. Kanema reminded the prospective Honorary Inspectors that once appointed, their responsibility must be performed with professionalism, confidentiality, integrity, sound judgement, impartiality, and in accordance with the national environmental management legal and institutional framework.

The prospective Honorary Inspectors are undergoing a 4 days training which will introduce them to knowledge and practical skills required to perform the selected routine and non-routine functions of ZEMA in a professional, reliable and consistent manner.

06/10/2026

ZEMA VALIDATES ZAMBIA’S NATIONAL PLASTIC WASTE INVENTORY

Today, ZEMA, through the Environmentally Sound Plastic Management Project (ESPMP), brought together stakeholders to validate Zambia’s National Plastic Waste Inventory.

The inventory will help promote better understanding of how much plastic waste is generated in Zambia, where it comes from, how it moves through the waste management system, and where it may be leaking into the environment. Stakeholders are reviewing the findings, sharing their experiences and helping to close remaining data gaps.

The findings will help point towards where action is most needed, from reducing and reusing plastics to improving waste collection, management and preventing plastic from reaching the environment.

This is more than just numbers and data. It is about building the evidence we need to make better decisions and take practical steps towards a cleaner, more sustainable Zambia.

05/10/2026

Happy World Teachers' Day!

Behind every school environmental club, every clean-up campaign, and every tree planted on a school ground, there is a dedicated teacher.

Today, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) celebrates the teachers who go beyond the syllabus to lead environmental clubs and activities in schools across Zambia. Often working after hours and with limited resources, these teachers:

🌳 Lead tree planting and school greening projects
🧹 Organise clean-ups in schools and surrounding communities
♻️ Teach learners to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste
💧 Promote saving water and protecting our rivers and wetlands
🌍 Help learners understand climate change and how to respond to it

Through these clubs, learners don't just learn about the environment, they take action to protect it. Many carry these lessons home and become environmental champions in their families and communities.

To every teacher who patrons an environmental club or leads green activities in your school: thank you. You are ZEMA's partners in building a cleaner, greener Zambia. 💚

Teachers and schools, show us your environmental club in action! Share your photos in the comments or tag us. We'd love to celebrate your work. 👇

05/10/2026

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF A 500MW FLOATING PV SOLAR POWER PLANT ON KARIBA NORTH IN SIAVONGA DISTRICT BY LTI REENERGY CLEANTECH PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & INVESTMENTS ZAMBIA LIMITED.

LTI ReEnergy Cleantech Project Development & Investments Zambia Limited is proposing to develop a 500MW Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) Solar Power Plant covering approximately 500 hectares of Kariba North in Siavonga District, Southern Province. The proposed project will generate electricity by converting solar radiation into direct current (DC) electricity through photovoltaic (PV) panels and subsequently converting the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) through inverters and transformers for transmission to the National Grid.

The project will comprise the following main components:
A. Floating PV Solar Power Plant: Installation and operation of floating photovoltaic panels over approximately 500 hectares of Kariba North to generate up to 500MW of electrical power.
B. Power Evacuation Infrastructure: Installation of three (3) Smart Transformer Stations for medium-voltage energy evacuation, a substation occupying approximately 10 hectares and a 330kV transmission line for connection to and supply of electricity to the National Grid.
C. Temporary Assembly Area: Establishment of a temporary offshore assembly area covering approximately 20 hectares to facilitate the assembly and installation of project infrastructure.

This notice therefore, serves to inform members of the general public, interested and affected parties that there will be a Public Hearing Meeting for the above-mentioned project. The details of the meeting are as follows:

Venue: LeGinger Sunset Lodge, Conference room, Siavonga
Time: 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours
Date: Friday, October 9, 2026

Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned during office hours from 09:00 hours to 16:00 hours should there be any issue requiring our attention.

The Director General
Zambia Environmental Management Agency
Corner of Church and Suez Roads
P.O. Box 35131, LUSAKA
Tel No.: +260 211 254023/59
Fax No.: +260 211 254164
E-mail: [email protected]

01/10/2026

GOVERNMENT PROACTIVELY RESPONDS TO THE POLLUTION OF MUSHISHIMA STREAM AND KAFUE RIVER
Lusaka- 1st October, 2026

The Government wishes to inform the nation of a pollution incident affecting the Kafue River and its tributaries in Chingola District, Copperbelt Province, which occurred on 28 September 2026.

On 28th September 2026, at around midday, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment through the Zambia Environmental Management Agency ("ZEMA") received a notification from Konkola Copper Mines PLC ("KCM"), Nchanga Mine, reporting discoloration of the Kafue River. KCM attributed the discharge to an Infrastructure failure, namely a pipe leak at the Tailings Leach Plant, together with an overflow from the Pollution Control Dam ("PCD").

Upon receipt of the notification, a team of ZEMA Inspectors, working together with Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company and KCM personnel, conducted a site inspection and confirmed that pollutants had been discharged into the Chingola Stream, the Mush1shima Stream and the Kafue River. By the time of the inspection, KCM had repaired the leaking pipe and contained the overflow from the Pollution Control Dam.

During the inspection, the Ministry through ZEMA collected water samples from the affected locations and analysed for Physicochemical parameters at the ZEMA laboratory in Ndola. Preliminary results showed elevated turbidity and conductivity levels at the confluence of the Mushlsh1ma Stream and the Kafue River. However, the pH results in the water bodies are within the acceptable limits. Additional water samples were submitted to Alfred H Knight for analysis of the remaining parameters, including heavy metals and acidity whose results are being awaited and the nation will be Informed In due course.

In line with the Environmental Management Act, CAP 204 of the Laws of Zambia, the Government, through the Ministry, has taken the following measures:
1. Issued an Environmental Restoration Order (ERO) directing KCM to among others:
a) Immediately cease the discharge of effluent from the Tailings Leach plant into the open environment.
b) Immediately remove all visible tailings material from the affected environment to prevent secondary pollution.
c) Conduct a comprehensive integrity assessment of all PCDs, tailings pipelines, decant systems and associated infrastructure.
d) Conduct a comprehensive environment Impact assessment of the pollution incident and undertake clean-up and remediation of the affected environment and water bodies.
2. Issued a Cost Order to KCM for payment of laboratory analysis and related costs, in line with the Polluter Pays Principle.

The above Cost Order is for samples that were collected on the day of the pollution incident, and KCM will continue to pay for additional cost orders as we continue monitoring the quality of water on a weekly basis.

Furthermore, the Ministry is consulting with relevant stakeholders on the appropriate penal sanctions to be enforced against the polluter in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Management Act, CAP 204 of the Laws of Zambia. I wish to reiterate that while Government is fully committed to the Grow Zambia Agenda, investors are required to practice responsible mining in order to protect the environment and prevent pollution.

The Government remains committed to protecting water bodies and other natural resources, which are a vital national resource. In the meantime, the communities affected by the pollution have been supplied with water through Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company. The Government through ZEMA, the Minerals Regulation Commission, the Water Resources Management Authority and other relevant agencies will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates to the nation.

Issued by:
[Original Copy Signed]
HON. DR. GILBERT SIAME, MP
MINISTER OF GREEN ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment - Zambia

01/10/2026

ZEMA APPROVES 350MW WIND ENERGY FACILITY IN KATETE DISTRICT

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has approved the proposed 350 MW Unika I and II Wind Energy Facility by Mphepo Power Limited in Chief M'bangombe's Chiefdom, Katete District, Eastern Province. The approval was made by the Environmental Assessment Committee of the 6th ZEMA Board at its ordinary sitting held on 24th September 2026.

The Unika wind facility will consist of 42 wind turbines, an on-site substation, and associated 330 kV overhead transmission lines and infrastructure required to evacuate power to the national grid. Once operational, the facility will generate clean, renewable energy and help diversify the country's energy mix away from hydropower. Notably, the Chewa people, under the leadership of Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi, own 10% of Mphepo Power Limited through the Chewa Development Trust. The project exemplifies how environmental stewardship and traditional leadership can work together to advance Zambia's green economy.

The Committee examined 113 projects in six sectors and approved 100 of them. The 100 approved projects comprised 25 in energy, 43 in Mining and Mineral Processing, 14 in Manufacturing and Processing, 11 in Infrastructure Development, 4 in Agriculture and Forestry, and 3 in Tourism. Five projects were deferred and eight were rejected.

ZEMA remains resolute in ensuring that all approved projects adhere to the requirements outlined in the decision letters issued to developers, and will closely monitor compliance in accordance with the Environmental Management Act.

Issued by
[Original copy signed]
Ruth Kanyanga Kamwi
Manager Corporate Affairs
ZAMBIA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AGENCY

30/09/2026

Day 2/2 : “Waste as a Resource” Educational Engagement

Today, ZEMA concluded its educational engagement with Form I students from International Maarif Schools of Lusaka.

The engagement focused on helping students understand that waste does not simply disappear once discarded, and the importance of adopting responsible waste management practices through the 5 Rs - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle.

We appreciate the school management and teachers for their support, and commend the students for their enthusiasm and participation throughout the engagement.

29/09/2026

Day 1/2 of "Waste as a Resource" Educational Engagement

Today, ZEMA conducted an educational school tour for Form 2 students from International Maarif Schools of Lusaka at Recyclemania Trading Limited in Makeni, Lusaka.

The visit provided the students with an opportunity to gain practical insights into waste management and recycling, while witnessing first hand how waste can be collected, sorted and transformed into valuable resources.

29/09/2026

ZEMA features in today's Zambia Daily Mail!

In "Green growth mandate: ZEMA walking the talk," we share how the Agency is turning environmental regulation into a driver of economic growth, in line with the Grow Zambia Agenda.

✅ 1,025 of 1,098 applications approved between January and August 2026
⚡ 4,623.5 MW of solar projects approved, translating into almost half of the 10,000 MW national target set for 2031
⏱️ Review periods cut from 90 to 30 days for a full ESIA
💰 Review fees reduced under Statutory Instrument No. 3 of 2026
🌍 Zambia's first National Carbon Registry launched with the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment .

Grab your copy of today's Zambia Daily Mail (page 9) and read the full article.

25/09/2026