The Zambian government has called on the European Union (EU) to help in strengthening democratic initiatives in the country as it prepares for general elections in 2026.

Justice Minister, Mulambo Haimbe, who made the request when EU Ambassador to Zambia and COMESA, Karolina Stasiak, handed over the 2021 elections report to him in Lusaka on Wednesday, said the project which came to an end in 2021 contributed greatly to the smooth electoral processes which saw the election of President Hakainde Hichilema into office.

“We are live to the fact that the strengthening democracy in Zambia played a very crucial role in the run up to the 2021 general elections and we want a similar process in the run up to the 2026 general elections,” Haimbe said during the meeting.

Haimbe, who is also the acting Foriegn Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, stated that the Zambian government had projected mid 2025 to close up areas that had been identified in the electoral and legal reforms.

He noted that government had given itself mid 2025 as the timeframe of significant steps in the electoral reforms with some of the steps achieved already, like the passing of the Access to Information law.

“The others we have discussed include some of the low hanging fruits like the amendment to the electoral Act and amendment to the Constitution which we consider at the Executive as non contentious to foster democracy,” Haimbe stated.

The minister also pledged that government would continue to work with various stakeholders like the EU, to further improving the democratic space in the country.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Stasiak said the report was an independent expert report and not necessarily the views of the EU in Zambia.

“It is an assessment done at expert level comparing to international standards on electoral process and reforms and they have formulated this report also comparing to the recommendations made by the missions in 2021,” she stated.

Stasiak further highlighted that the report noted improvements which had been made in the electoral reforms such as the implementation of the Access to Information law and the removal of the Defamation of the President from the Penal Code.

“Zambia is a very good example, an important example within the region to demonstrate that democracy can go hand in hand with sustainable development,” Stasiak emphasized.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has predicted that the country is destined to become a major economic force in the world under President Bola Tinubu.

Shettima who made the prediction while playing host to a delegation from the Commonwealth Enterprise Investment Council (CWEIC) led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rosie Glazerbrook, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, said he was optimistic that despite the present economic challenges, the President will turn things around with his “bold reforms and policies.”

According the former Borno State governor, the Tinubu-led administration is “committed to creating an unprecedented enabling environment for both local and foreign investors to thrive.”

“This is being done through harnessing resources of the country’s youth population in digital technology, improving electricity supply, boosting production and manufacturing, among other initiatives of the government,” he told the Commonwealth delegation.

The VP further opined that the federal government is “determined to transform the country’s demographic bulge into demographic dividends,” while assuring that the Tinubu administration would harness the resources of its young population to build a more prosperous and progressive country.

“Nigeria is ready for business after being blessed with a pro-business leader who rose from the business ecosystem and has shown commitment to supporting the growth of businesses.

“The administration is ready to create an enabling environment for both indigenous and foreign businesses to grow.

“By 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populous country in the world, and only recently, an investment bank projected that by 2075, Nigeria’s economy will be the third largest in the world.

“It shows that the trajectory of global growth is facing Africa, and Nigeria will make or mar that transition. So, the future belongs to Africa. If Nigeria works, Africa works.

“You have come to Nigeria at the right time, a time when a pro-business government is at the helm of affairs in the country and we are ready for business,” Shettima boasted.