Zambia Enabling Environment Snapshot

Period covered by the report: July 2025-March 2026.

Zambia commences the year 2026 with a strong historic democratic legacy rooted in peaceful transfer of power in 2021. These transitions entrenched public expectations for competitive politics, economic reforms, judicial independence, and respect for fundamental freedoms. However, Zambia’s pre-election periods have historically been associated with heightened political intolerance, selective law enforcement, and securitisation of dissent. This is so even with the government being elected on the firm promise of addressing issues related to restrictive laws like the colonial Public Order Act, with only promises in the form of a Public Gathering Bill being drafted. These promises that are yet to materialise four years down the line after being elected. 

Following the optimism that accompanied the 2021 political transition, early governance reforms over the subsequent years improved the operating environment for civil society and opposition actors. This year, however, political polarisation has intensified. The ruling party frequently engages communities through official state visits that blend governance messaging with political mobilisation, benefiting from unrestricted access to public space and state resources. 

In contrast, opposition political parties and allied civic actors report increasing reluctance to convene public meetings or rallies due to fear of arrest, harassment, or disruption. Notification requirements under the archaic Public Order Act of 1955 are applied inconsistently, with delays and restrictive conditions discouraging political participation. This imbalance has contributed to a shrinking competitive environment and undermines the principle of political equality.