TOPIC

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Zambia

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Zambia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Lusaka

Head of State

President Hakainde Hichilema

Head of Government

President Hakainde Hichilema

Chinese state-owned firms have broken ground on a 233km, US$1.3 billion highway in Kenya. Its leadership says the PPP model will solve Kenya’s infrastructure funding challenges amid its debt overhang. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

Why Chinese firms are taking operational risks on African projects

Public-private partnerships or PPP model for African infrastructure tipped to grow as ‘bankable’ projects can attract global finance.

8 Dec 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | How China can ensure Tazara rail deal in Africa is a win-win

7 Dec 2025 - 5:38PMvideocam

US-China relations

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

6 Dec 2025 - 6:51AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Railway deal and a toxic spill to top agenda as Chinese premier visits Zambia

Strategically important Tazara project will be the focus for Li Qiang in Lusaka, but he could also face fallout over copper mine pollution.

19 Nov 2025 - 3:28PM

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will arrive in Lusaka on Wednesday. He is expected to meet President Hakainde Hichilema to review agreements including the Tazara deal. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China relations

China calls itself a responsible AI force, as most in US think otherwise

Recent capacity-building forum in Shanghai and poll of Americans highlight contrasting takes on a focal point in the China-US tech rivalry.

22 Oct 2025 - 6:59PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

China’s factory robot army; a ‘new global energy system’: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese mining firms sued in Zambia to China’s 300,000-strong industrial robot army, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

6 Oct 2025 - 9:15PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese mining firms sued over toxic acid spill pose dilemma for Zambian government

Farmers’ US$80 billion compensation bid leaves the authorities trying to balance good relations with Beijing and needs of local communities.

6 Oct 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

Local farmers have described the impact of a tailings dam collapse about 300km north of Zambian capital Lusaka as an “ecological catastrophe”. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

US$1.4 billion Tazara rail deal puts China on fast track to Africa’s Copperbelt

State-owned CCECC will refurbish and operate the ageing Tanzania-Zambia railway, securing access to vital shipping links.

1 Oct 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

United Nations

UN heritage body opens virtual museum to spotlight artefact trafficking

Unesco’s online space will showcase hundreds of stolen cultural objects in the hopes of drawing attention to the vast illegal trade network.

30 Sep 2025 - 4:40AM

US-China relations

US invests in Zambia project in bid to loosen China’s grip on critical minerals

USTDA will provide US$1.4 million grant to Metalex Africa to fund feasibility study on expanding the copper and cobalt mine.

19 Sep 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

The US is interested in critical minerals from Zambia and DR Congo, both key producers of copper and cobalt. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

China, US, Japan race to control African rail routes in critical minerals fight

Infrastructure is no longer just about moving ore, it is about shaping global supply lines, one analyst notes.

6 Sep 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

Beijing will invest US$1.4 billion to rehabilitate the Tazara Railway. Photo: Shutterstock

Middle East

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

4 Sep 2025 - 3:17PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Angola rail project not aimed at countering China, CEO says

The US has framed it as key to de-risking from China, but Nicholas Fournier says Lobito Atlantic Railway is ‘a purely commercial entity’.

23 Aug 2025 - 8:39PM

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong bank manager guilty in HK$21 million fraud against Japanese investors

Anti-corruption investigation reveals culprit helped illegal syndicate by issuing false bank documents to deceive investors.

12 Aug 2025 - 12:34AM

The former Standard Chartered Bank manager helped an illegal syndicate deceive Japanese investors into pouring money into projects in Africa. Photo: Nathan Tsui

China-Africa relations

Inside China and Tanzania’s ‘very special’ ties – found nowhere else in Africa

Enduring China-Tanzania military partnership dating back to 1964 represents a ‘unique bond’ as Sino-African relations deepen, study says.

6 Jul 2025 - 7:11PMvideocam

The 45th Chinese naval fleet visits Tanzania in March last year as part of their ‘very special relationship’. Photo: Weibo/PLA Navy

China-Africa relations

Is this the copper century? China moves to shore up supplies from Africa

African copper is crucial for China as the West restricts supplies, notably from Canada, analyst says.

2 Jul 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Opinion | Africa could emerge a winner from China’s war-induced energy shift

China’s transition to renewables could see African nations benefit as long as public-private partnerships help unlock potential gains.

30 Jun 2025 - 7:06AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Will Zambian mine disaster spill over to destroy relations with China?

A 50-million-litre acid spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia is now threatening to kill ties with Beijing, experts say.

23 Mar 2025 - 2:16PM

An acid waste spill from a collapsed tailings dam at the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia copper mine has contaminated a major river, causing a devastating environmental disaster in the African nation. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

China still leads the pack in Africa’s critical minerals race as US falls behind

Beijing has spent years – and billions – investing in Africa’s mining sector, and it is now paying off, experts say.

12 Mar 2025 - 11:16PMvideocam

Animals

US man sues safari tour firm after wife dies in Zambia hippo attack

The lawsuit alleges that local guides walked away without helping as the animal grabbed Lisa Manders with its mouth and crushed her.

14 Feb 2025 - 6:04AM

China-Africa relations

China to bring Tanzania-Zambia railway back to full speed with US$1 billion boost

Beijing to refurbish 50-year-old African line as the US and EU bankroll their own rail project in the race for critical minerals.

3 Oct 2024 - 4:42PMvideocam

A train travels through Tanzania on the Tazara line. The railway will get a massive cash injection after Beijing pledged to spend US$1 billion on refurbishing the 50-year-old infrastructure. Photo: Shutterstock

Interest rates

July’s inflation blip will do little to derail US Fed’s September rate cut

The recent easing of price pressures has bolstered Fed officials’ confidence that they can start to lower borrowing costs while refocusing their attention on the labour market.

11 Aug 2024 - 11:46AM

A supermarket in Montebello, California, on May 15, 2024. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

Chinese firm to acquire Zambian copper mine amid African minerals buying spree

With more African mines being bought by Chinese firms, Beijing is positioning itself to lead the green energy revolution.

1 Jul 2024 - 4:06PMvideocam

Interpol

Brazilian to become first head of Interpol from developing world

Brazilian police official Valdecy Urquiza will succeed Juergen Stock of Germany to lead Interpol from 2025 to 2030.

26 Jun 2024 - 11:24AM

Russia

Kremlin says Putin’s aircraft ‘very reliable’ after crashes killed leaders in Iran, Malawi

A Kremlin spokesman commented on aviation accidents that claimed the lives of Iran’s president in May and Malawi’s vice-president on Monday.

12 Jun 2024 - 12:21PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin flying over Syria in 2020. File photo: Sputnik via AP

Africa

22 Chinese nationals jailed in Zambia over multinational cybercrimes

They were part of a group of 77, mostly Zambians, arrested in April over what police called a ‘sophisticated internet fraud syndicate’.

8 Jun 2024 - 1:21AMvideocam

A group of Chinese nationals is seen outside court in Lusaka, Zambia, on Friday. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

China envoys deliver Xi’s invite to African leaders for September FOCAC summit

In a break with tradition, several countries have announced the date for the China-Africa cooperation forum in Beijing.

7 Jun 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

Cartier

Cartier’s Nature Sauvage offers a sparkling take on a menagerie of creatures

From a zebra to the iconic panther, here are the centrepieces of Cartier’s 87-piece collection, just unveiled in Vienna in an event attended by Sofia Coppola and Elle Fanning

30 May 2024 - 3:43PM

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Zambia

Why Chinese firms are taking operational risks on African projects

Public-private partnerships or PPP model for African infrastructure tipped to grow as ‘bankable’ projects can attract global finance.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | How China can ensure Tazara rail deal in Africa is a win-win

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

Railway deal and a toxic spill to top agenda as Chinese premier visits Zambia

Strategically important Tazara project will be the focus for Li Qiang in Lusaka, but he could also face fallout over copper mine pollution.

China calls itself a responsible AI force, as most in US think otherwise

Recent capacity-building forum in Shanghai and poll of Americans highlight contrasting takes on a focal point in the China-US tech rivalry.

China’s factory robot army; a ‘new global energy system’: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese mining firms sued in Zambia to China’s 300,000-strong industrial robot army, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Chinese mining firms sued over toxic acid spill pose dilemma for Zambian government

Farmers’ US$80 billion compensation bid leaves the authorities trying to balance good relations with Beijing and needs of local communities.

US$1.4 billion Tazara rail deal puts China on fast track to Africa’s Copperbelt

State-owned CCECC will refurbish and operate the ageing Tanzania-Zambia railway, securing access to vital shipping links.

UN heritage body opens virtual museum to spotlight artefact trafficking

Unesco’s online space will showcase hundreds of stolen cultural objects in the hopes of drawing attention to the vast illegal trade network.

US invests in Zambia project in bid to loosen China’s grip on critical minerals

USTDA will provide US$1.4 million grant to Metalex Africa to fund feasibility study on expanding the copper and cobalt mine.

China, US, Japan race to control African rail routes in critical minerals fight

Infrastructure is no longer just about moving ore, it is about shaping global supply lines, one analyst notes.

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

Angola rail project not aimed at countering China, CEO says

The US has framed it as key to de-risking from China, but Nicholas Fournier says Lobito Atlantic Railway is ‘a purely commercial entity’.

Hong Kong bank manager guilty in HK$21 million fraud against Japanese investors

Anti-corruption investigation reveals culprit helped illegal syndicate by issuing false bank documents to deceive investors.

Inside China and Tanzania’s ‘very special’ ties – found nowhere else in Africa

Enduring China-Tanzania military partnership dating back to 1964 represents a ‘unique bond’ as Sino-African relations deepen, study says.

Is this the copper century? China moves to shore up supplies from Africa

African copper is crucial for China as the West restricts supplies, notably from Canada, analyst says.

Opinion | Africa could emerge a winner from China’s war-induced energy shift

China’s transition to renewables could see African nations benefit as long as public-private partnerships help unlock potential gains.

Will Zambian mine disaster spill over to destroy relations with China?

A 50-million-litre acid spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia is now threatening to kill ties with Beijing, experts say.

China still leads the pack in Africa’s critical minerals race as US falls behind

Beijing has spent years – and billions – investing in Africa’s mining sector, and it is now paying off, experts say.

US man sues safari tour firm after wife dies in Zambia hippo attack

The lawsuit alleges that local guides walked away without helping as the animal grabbed Lisa Manders with its mouth and crushed her.

China to bring Tanzania-Zambia railway back to full speed with US$1 billion boost

Beijing to refurbish 50-year-old African line as the US and EU bankroll their own rail project in the race for critical minerals.

July’s inflation blip will do little to derail US Fed’s September rate cut

The recent easing of price pressures has bolstered Fed officials’ confidence that they can start to lower borrowing costs while refocusing their attention on the labour market.

Chinese firm to acquire Zambian copper mine amid African minerals buying spree

With more African mines being bought by Chinese firms, Beijing is positioning itself to lead the green energy revolution.

Brazilian to become first head of Interpol from developing world

Brazilian police official Valdecy Urquiza will succeed Juergen Stock of Germany to lead Interpol from 2025 to 2030.

Kremlin says Putin’s aircraft ‘very reliable’ after crashes killed leaders in Iran, Malawi

A Kremlin spokesman commented on aviation accidents that claimed the lives of Iran’s president in May and Malawi’s vice-president on Monday.

22 Chinese nationals jailed in Zambia over multinational cybercrimes

They were part of a group of 77, mostly Zambians, arrested in April over what police called a ‘sophisticated internet fraud syndicate’.

China envoys deliver Xi’s invite to African leaders for September FOCAC summit

In a break with tradition, several countries have announced the date for the China-Africa cooperation forum in Beijing.

Cartier’s Nature Sauvage offers a sparkling take on a menagerie of creatures

From a zebra to the iconic panther, here are the centrepieces of Cartier’s 87-piece collection, just unveiled in Vienna in an event attended by Sofia Coppola and Elle Fanning

Opinion | How China can ensure Tazara rail deal in Africa is a win-win