AGP Executive Report

Zambia Tourism Spotlight: Kasanka National Park’s “night migration” is back in the spotlight as BBC-style coverage notes the world’s largest mammal migration is actually 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) flying to Kasanka from late October to December—only about 800 people witness it each year. Roads & Travel Access: The Lusaka–Ndola Dual Carriageway has reached 78% completion, with authorities projecting substantial completion this year and travel-time gains already being felt on the corridor. Road Safety for Families: The Safer Journeys to School Initiative (replication phase 2026) expands in Lusaka, targeting school-area crash risk and reaching 15 schools and over 24,000 learners. Local Development in Livingstone: Light of Hope Secondary School near completion in Kalaluka, Livingstone—built under the World Bank-funded ZEEP at K24 million to reduce long travel distances for learners. Travel & Tourism Business: Avani Hotels & Resorts pushes destination discovery via its Avani Book Club, adding another “stay-and-explore” angle for travellers. Regional Travel Context: A week of xenophobia coverage in South Africa continues to dominate regional headlines, including calls for solidarity and backlash against “travel more” advice. Politics & Logistics: ECZ says presidential ballot printing in Dubai starts June 30 and parties must fund their own observer travel and accommodation. Copperbelt Update: Koryx Copper reports follow-up soil anomaly work on its Mpongwe licence and confirms a late-season 2026 drill plan for Luanshya West.

Road Safety for Learners: Zambia Road Safety Trust and Yango Zambia launched the Safer Journeys to School Initiative (Replication Phase 2026) at Chelstone Secondary School, expanding from a 2025 pilot to 15 schools in Lusaka and reaching 24,000+ learners, as officials cite high crash risks near schools. Lusaka–Ndola Upgrade: The Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway is at 78% completion, with authorities projecting substantial completion this year and faster travel on the busy Lusaka–Kabwe corridor. Election Logistics in Dubai: ECZ says political parties must fund their own travel and accommodation to observe ballot printing in Dubai ahead of the August 13, 2026 general election. Tourism & Accessibility: Emirates ran its first “Travel Rehearsal” in the Maldives for children with autism, offering guided airport and flight simulations—an accessibility move that signals growing inclusive travel trends. Creative Tourism Calendar: Zambia will host a Creative Industry Business Summit (June 29–July 2), followed by the Kwimbo National Arts Festival (July 3–4), positioning Lusaka as a creative hub for visitors and business. Sports & Tourism Spotlight: Proflight Zambia’s role was highlighted in discussions on why some African routes still lack direct flights, showing how air connectivity remains key to tourism growth.

Road & Connectivity: The Lusaka–Ndola Dual Carriageway has hit 78% completion, with authorities saying substantial completion is expected this year—cutting travel times on one of Zambia’s busiest corridors. Road Safety for Families: The Safer Journeys to School Initiative (Replication Phase 2026) has expanded to 15 Lusaka schools, aiming to reduce crashes near schools after alarming child road-death figures. Tourism & Conservation: Green Safaris marks 10 years with government recognition for wildlife protection and community benefits, citing hundreds of jobs and conservation funding. Hospitality & Travel Inclusion: Emirates ran its first “Travel Rehearsal” for children with autism at Velana International Airport in the Maldives, simulating check-in through departure to ease travel anxiety. Sports Tourism Spotlight: Samuel Simpson won the KCM Golf Challenge 2026 at Nchanga Golf Club, with the event also featuring junior clinics and awards for local talent. Rail Ambitions: Government says it is pushing ahead with greenfield railway projects with regional status, including major links aimed at boosting movement of goods and passengers. Creative Tourism Pipeline: Zambia will host a three-event creative run—CIBS (June 29–July 2), then the Kwimbo National Arts Festival (July 3–4)—positioning Lusaka as a hub for creative business and culture.

Aviation Connectivity: Airbus says the Harare–London corridor remains the biggest unserved city pair in Sub-Saharan Africa, with demand driven by a large Zimbabwean diaspora and tourism—highlighting why airlines keep routing via hubs instead of flying direct. Tourism & Conservation: Green Safaris marks 10 years with government recognition for wildlife protection, community benefits and jobs, citing conservation funding and local development impacts. Travel Infrastructure & Access: Lusaka’s Provincial Cultural Festival pushes inclusion and tourism value, with a newly handed-over Kabwata Cultural Village information centre and wall fence aimed at protecting cultural infrastructure. Tourism Business & Community: Proflight Zambia’s role in route development is spotlighted as experts at AviaDev Africa 2026 discuss why “unserved” routes persist—airlines carry most risk, while airports and tourism boards must align to build confidence. Public Service & Tourism Link: Zambia’s Public Service Day celebrations in Lusaka stress improved coordination in service delivery, while tourism officials tie progress to water availability and safe sanitation for stronger visitor experiences.

Conservation & Community: Green Safaris marks 10 years in Mumbwa, with Tourism officials praising wildlife protection, local jobs (about 500) and conservation funding of over US$410,000 in 2025. Tourism & Culture: Lusaka’s Provincial Cultural Festival pushes inclusion and heritage, with tourism flagged as a key revenue source and new cultural infrastructure handed over at Kabwata Cultural Village. Creative Economy: Zambia will host a “Creative Convergence” of three events—CIBS (June 29–July 2), then the Kwimbo National Arts Festival (July 3–4)—linking grassroots talent to business and continental markets. Travel Disruption: UNZA postpones mid-year exams and warns students not to travel due to ongoing rehabilitation works and sanitation-related issues, leaving many stranded. Border & Mobility: Zambia’s tourism audience may also care about regional movement—Border Management Authority reports a record mass repatriation at Beitbridge (Malawians and Zimbabweans processed in one day). Public Health Alert: WHO warns Ebola in DRC is spreading, with lab kit shortages and weaker contact tracing complicating containment.

Tourism & Conservation: Green Safaris marks 10 years in Mumbwa with government praise for wildlife protection, community benefits and jobs, while highlighting conservation funding and local development. Safari Travel: African Bush Camps launches TALA gin to elevate the sundowner ritual, tying the drink to African storytelling and the places it operates in. Air Connectivity: Airbus flags major “unserved” routes in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Johannesburg–Mumbai and Brussels–Cape Town, and notes how route development depends on airports, tourism boards and airlines working together—relevant for Zambia’s travel growth. Events & Hospitality: Avani Hotels rolls out Avani Book Club, adding destination-linked reading experiences across select properties, including in Africa. Education & Travel Disruption: UNZA postpones mid-year exams due to water and sewer rehabilitation, leaving students stranded after they already travelled. Border & Mobility: Zambia’s Border Management Authority reports a record mass repatriation at Beitbridge, processing hundreds of Malawians and Zimbabweans in one day. Regional Links: Eswatini’s king urges stronger Eswatini–Zambia cooperation on trade, culture and security.

Refugee Day & regional travel realities: On 20 June, Refugee Day spotlights the scale of displacement across Africa and how cross-border movement is tied to jobs, services and stability—an issue that directly shapes how people travel and live across the region. World Cup travel buzz: The 48-team tournament hits the group-stage halfway mark, with key matches today including Netherlands vs Sweden and Germany vs Ivory Coast—another reminder of how major events drive flight demand and tourism planning. Lusaka cultural tourism push: Lusaka Province says its cultural festival is built for inclusion and heritage protection, alongside the handover of facilities at Kabwata Cultural Village—linking culture to tourism revenue. Zambia’s creative economy calendar: Zambia will host the Creative Industry Business Summit (June 29–July 2) followed by the Kwimbo National Arts Festival (July 3–4), aiming to connect grassroots talent to business and continental markets. Tourism with conservation at the centre: Green Safaris marks 10 years with government recognition for wildlife protection, community benefits and conservation funding—positioning safari travel as “far more than visitor arrivals.” UNZA exam disruption: UNZA postpones mid-year exams due to ongoing water and sewer rehabilitation, leaving students stranded after travel—an immediate hit to student travel and local transport demand. Air connectivity gap: A new Airbus study flags major unserved routes in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Harare–London, underscoring how direct flights could unlock tourism and diaspora travel. Avani Book Club: Avani Hotels launches a destination-linked reading programme to make stays more immersive—another sign of “slow travel” trends reaching Zambia’s travel audience.

World Cup build-up: The 48-team tournament is at the halfway mark, with the Netherlands taking on Sweden and Germany facing Côte d’Ivoire as Group-stage pressure rises. Workers’ welfare: Vice President Mutale Nalumango attended the WCFCB rebranding launch in Chongwe, saying the updated identity strengthens trust in compensation for injured workers and their families. Politics and elections: A press statement claims UPND could lose about 14 seats to independents in Southern Province, while the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance says it will defy an ECZ advisory on presidential campaign timing. Tourism with community at the centre: Green Safaris marks its 10th anniversary with government praise for wildlife protection, jobs and conservation funding. Travel and education impacts: UNZA postponed mid-year exams after water and sewer rehabilitation, leaving students stranded and raising questions about refunds and communication. Reading as a travel add-on: Avani Hotels & Resorts launched the Avani Book Club, linking destination experiences with curated books and in-hotel reading events. Safari inspiration: Jo Pope is profiled as a Zambia tourism pioneer, and another piece highlights how safari travel supports conservation and local communities.

Conservation & Community: Green Safaris marked its 10th anniversary in Mumbwa with government praise for wildlife protection, community benefits and long-lasting tourism, citing about 500 jobs and over US$410,000 raised in 2025 for conservation, schooling and local development. Tourism Growth: The Ministry of Tourism says rising global demand for responsible travel is lifting Zambia’s profile, with tourism still a key jobs and foreign-exchange driver. Aviation & Connectivity Gap: Airbus highlights major Africa route opportunities with “no direct flights,” including Harare–London and other high-demand city pairs, pointing to how airlines keep routing via hubs. Travel-Linked Disruption: UNZA postponed mid-year exams due to water and sewer rehabilitation, leaving students stranded after last-minute communication gaps—an issue that hits travel plans and budgets. New Travel Lifestyle Trend: Avani Hotels & Resorts launched the Avani Book Club, adding destination-themed reading experiences across selected properties, tapping into BookTok/Bookstagram travel culture. Wildlife Tourism Spotlight: A feature spotlights Kasanka’s straw-coloured fruit bat migration in northern Zambia, describing the massive nightly spectacle as a must for nature lovers.

UNZA Exams Disruption: The University of Zambia has postponed the mid-year exams and told students not to travel after sanitation and water/rehabilitation works left campus conditions unconducive, with students reporting they were stranded after being recalled. Tourism & Travel Ideas: Avani Hotels & Resorts launched the Avani Book Club, adding destination-themed reading corners, book swaps and author-led events at selected properties, including Avani+ Fares Maldives. Safari & Conservation Spotlight: Zambia’s tourism is highlighted as a “force for good,” with safari travel supporting wildlife protection and community benefits, while conservation-focused operators keep pushing responsible experiences. Regional Air Connectivity: A travel routes discussion points to major Africa corridors still lacking direct flights, including Johannesburg–Mumbai and Brussels–Cape Town, showing how route development depends on airlines, airports and tourism bodies working together. Sports Travel Link: Access Bank Zambia pledged K450,000 toward the NAPSA Pensioners Marathon on July 25, 2026—an event that blends health, community and retirement preparedness.

Conservation & Tourism: Natural Selection has opened Nkasa Linyanti, an under-canvas luxury camp in Namibia’s Zambezi region, inside Nkasa Rupara National Park and part of the KAZA transfrontier corridor—an unfenced setup meant to help wildlife recover, including an elephant corridor linking Angola, Namibia and Botswana. Zambia Tourism Spotlight: Zambia’s safari industry is being framed as “a force for good,” with travel experiences tied to wildlife protection, anti-poaching support and community benefits. Travel Safety Alert: The CDC warns safari travellers about East African sleeping sickness risk from tsetse flies, noting recent cases among travellers returning from Zambia and Zimbabwe. Business Travel Trend: South African corporate travellers are shifting toward “bleisure” as higher airfares and longer rerouted flights reshape trip planning to places like Zambia. Education Disruption: UNZA has delayed mid-year exams due to water and sewer rehabilitation, leaving some students stranded and unable to travel. Energy & Infrastructure for Travel: Government launched a 15-year Grid Resilience Programme to strengthen electricity distribution—key for tourism, SMEs and smoother operations.

Wildlife & Safari Travel: Tanzania says it leads Africa for lions and buffaloes in the 2024/2025 census, while also reporting a sharp elephant decline—useful context for Zambia travellers planning wildlife-focused trips. Tourism Policy at Borders: Zimbabwe’s tourism ministry says it’s working across government to remove barriers to tourist movement, including smoother visas and fewer delays at police checkpoints—good news for regional travellers. Zambia Energy & Travel Comfort: Government launched a 15-year Grid Resilience Programme after a debt-for-energy conversion deal, aiming to strengthen electricity distribution—key for hotels, lodges and smoother visitor experiences. Zambia Tourism Growth: Zambia’s tourism sector gets a boost from rising global demand for authentic, sustainable experiences, with officials highlighting responsible travel as a growth driver. Travel Health Alert: A CDC-linked warning flags rare but serious tsetse-borne sleeping sickness risk for safari travellers returning from Zambia and Zimbabwe. Hotel Sustainability: Park Hotel Tokyo highlights “skin- and planet-friendly” stays with plant-based amenities and reduced plastic—an inspiration for greener lodging standards. Rugby & Ebola Impact: Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens in Mauritius was postponed due to public health concerns tied to Ebola—another reminder that travel plans can change fast.

Energy & Tourism: Zambia has launched a 15-year Grid Resilience Programme after a debt repurchase deal, aiming to channel about US$275 million into a stronger electricity distribution network—good news for reliable power that underpins mining, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. Nature Tourism: Kasanka National Park in northern Zambia is set for its famous straw-coloured fruit bat spectacle, with millions of bats flying in from across the sky—an off-the-usual-track experience for photographers and wildlife lovers. Travel Health Alert: The CDC warns safari travellers returning from Zambia and Zimbabwe about rare but serious East African sleeping sickness linked to tsetse flies, urging extra caution in affected areas. Business & Travel: Emirates is expanding its Travel Rehearsal programme to Zambia, signalling more focus on smoother travel experiences and connectivity. Local Governance & Services: A call to split Central Province highlights how big regions can struggle to deliver services fast—an issue that can affect travel, access and visitor planning. Sports & Visitor Demand: World Cup excitement is already driving global attention, with Zambia-linked travel interest likely to rise as fans plan trips around matches.

Tourism & Policy: Zambia is pushing a long-term plan for prosperity through value addition and diversification, with Government arguing that raw-resource exports alone won’t beat the “resource curse” unless industry, infrastructure, agriculture, energy and skills are scaled up. Tourism & Travel Safety: Health authorities are flagging a rare but serious tsetse fly-borne sleeping sickness risk for safari travellers returning from Zambia and Zimbabwe, urging visitors to consider CDC travel guidance and malaria-style precautions. Tourism & Regional Conservation: Zambia’s tourism ministry is represented as KAZA TFCA partners commend Zimbabwe’s First Lady for bringing 10,000 women to Victoria Falls, highlighting the region’s cross-border conservation and visitor growth. Business & Air Travel: Emirates expands its Travel Rehearsal programme to Zambia, signalling more travel readiness and smoother passenger experiences. Infrastructure & Transport: NAPSA defends its US$300m role in the Lusaka–Ndola dual carriageway, saying due diligence—not Government direction—drove the investment. Sports & Travel Buzz: The World Cup co-hosts (US, Mexico, Canada) are already drawing major fan travel stories, including a Livramento injury update and Tunisia’s coaching shake-up with Hervé Renard arriving after a rough start. Community & Education: Mary’s Meals marks the Day of the African Child, linking water, sanitation and hygiene to school attendance across Africa.

Tourism & Travel Access: Emirates has expanded its Travel Rehearsal programme to Zambia, letting travellers with autism and other accessibility needs “try” check-in, security and boarding in advance to reduce stress and uncertainty. Health & Safety for Safari-Goers: The U.S. CDC flags rare but potentially fatal East African sleeping sickness linked to tsetse flies in Zambia and Zimbabwe, urging travellers to take precautions beyond the usual malaria and yellow fever checks. School Feeding & Water: Mary’s Meals marks the Day of the African Child by highlighting how water insecurity keeps children out of class, including a Zambia pupil who must fetch water on unsafe routes before school. Road & Transport Finance: NAPSA says its US$300m role in the Lusaka–Ndola dual carriageway was based on commercial due diligence, responding to questions about whether government directed the funding. Zambia’s Tourism Push: KAZA TFCA ministers commend Zimbabwe’s First Lady for tourism-linked visits, with Zambia’s tourism ministry represented—another reminder of the region’s shared conservation-and-travel drive. Business & Jobs Agenda: President Hichilema launches the UPND 2026 manifesto with targets that include 5 million tourist arrivals, aiming to translate growth into lower living costs and more jobs.

Water & School Attendance: Mary’s Meals marks the Day of the African Child (June 16) by linking water insecurity to missed classes, saying it feeds 2.65 million children daily across 10 African countries, with Zambia’s pupils facing unsafe water-fetching routes before school. Health Alert for Safari Travellers: The CDC flags a rare but serious tsetse fly-borne sleeping sickness risk in Zambia and Zimbabwe, warning of fatal East African human trypanosomiasis in travellers returning from safari areas. Inclusive Air Travel: Emirates expands its Travel Rehearsal programme to Zambia, letting families with autism or accessibility needs practice check-in, security and boarding to reduce travel stress. Tourism Growth in KAZA: KAZA TFCA ministers in Victoria Falls commend Zimbabwe’s First Lady for enabling 10,000 women to visit the falls, highlighting the region’s conservation and tourism pull across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. UPND Manifesto Targets: President Hichilema launches the 2026–2031 manifesto with a tourism goal of five million arrivals annually alongside jobs, power and production targets—key signals for Zambia’s travel economy. Drug Enforcement at Borders: Zambia’s DEC reports major arrests and seizures across provinces, including cannabis and codeine-related items, underscoring ongoing border and transport security.