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  💼 Business Monday | 21 September 2026 By Maxwell Shumba | BalanceHub Most small businesses in Zambia don't fail because the owner didn't work hard. They fail because of a handful of quiet, everyday mistakes and most owners don't see them until it's too late. Every year, thousands of Zambians start businesses: grocery shops, restaurants, salons, bakeries, farms, clothing stores, welding shops, phone repair stalls. Some grow into businesses that employ people and send children to school. Others stay stuck for years busy every day, but somehow never moving forward. The owner opens early, closes late, works harder than anyone they know… and still can't explain where the money went. Hard work matters. But hard work built on the wrong foundation only wears you out faster. Here are seven mistakes that hold back too many Zambian businesses — and exactly what to do about each one. Mistake One: Mixing Business Money with Personal Money Picture this. It's Monday mornin...

  By Maxwell Shumba | BalanceHub Strasbourg, France The European Parliament has adopted a sweeping resolution calling on Zambian authorities to establish an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the death of former Cabinet Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya, who was fatally shot during a security operation in August 2026. The resolution, passed in Strasbourg by ' 562 votes in favour, one against and 33 abstentions ', reflects an unusually broad consensus among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and places fresh international attention on Zambia's post-election environment. The Vote: A Rare Show of Unity In the often-divided chamber of the European Parliament, near-unanimous votes are uncommon. The 562–1 margin signals that concern over the Kafwaya case and Zambia's broader human rights environment has cut across political groupings and national delegations. The resolution formally urges the Zambian government to ensure that investigations into the circ...

Understanding Zambia's Economy: What Inflation, Growth and Debt Really Mean for You By Maxwell Shumba | BalanceHub Every day, Zambians hear words like inflation, economic growth, debt restructuring and investor confidence in the news. These terms often dominate speeches, newspaper headlines and government announcements, yet many people wonder what they actually mean for their daily lives. Does lower inflation mean food prices will immediately become cheaper? Does economic growth guarantee more jobs? And why has Zambia spent years restructuring its debt? Understanding these issues helps explain where the country's economy stands today and where it could be heading in the years ahead. Reading the Economy One of the most encouraging developments in Zambia's economy has been the decline in inflation. Inflation measures how quickly the general prices of goods and services rise over time. When inflation is high, the purchasing power of money falls more rapidly. When inflation slo...

 By Maxwell Shumba | BalanceHub The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and charged former Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Henry Tukombe and former Head of Procurement and Supply Jacob Masatunya over alleged irregularities in a school supplies procurement contract linked to a US$401.84 million government loan obligation. The arrests mark another significant development in Zambia's ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability and combat corruption in the management of public resources. What the ACC Is Alleging According to ACC Head of Corporate Communications Joseph Mwenya, the two former public officials allegedly allowed a procurement process involving Hong Kong-based Mikalile Trading Company Limited to proceed without following mandatory public procurement procedures. The contract was for the supply of various school items across Zambia and carried a principal value of US$259.25 million. With interest of US$138.7 million and arrangement fees amounting to US$3...

 💼 Business Monday | 7 September 2026 By Maxwell Shumba | BalanceHub Every morning across Zambia, thousands of entrepreneurs unlock their shops before sunrise. Some prepare fresh bread for customers, others arrange vegetables on market stalls, open barber shops, repair mobile phones, tailor school uniforms or prepare buses for another day's work. Behind every small business is someone chasing a dream of financial independence. Many of these businesses grow into respected brands that support families and create jobs. Others, however, struggle to survive or eventually close. Understanding why some businesses succeed while others struggle is one of the most important lessons for anyone hoping to become an entrepreneur. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's) are a vital part of Zambia's economy. They contribute significantly to employment, income generation and economic activity, making them essential to the country's development.  One of the biggest reasons some busi...

By Maxwell Shumba | BalanceHub United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe has called on the United Nations (UN) to respect Zambia's sovereignty and allow the country's judicial system to independently handle ongoing treason and insurgency-related cases. (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe  His remarks come amid growing debate following concerns raised by a United Nations official over the detention of several opposition figures facing treason charges. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Simuuwe argued that individuals accused of serious offences such as treason and insurgency should be subjected to Zambia's legal process rather than being treated as political detainees before the courts have determined their cases. He said Zambia has established institutions capable of fairly handling criminal matters and urged international organisations to respect the country's constitutional and judicial independence. According to Simuuwe, prematu...