2025 in Zambia
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Events in the year 2025 in Zambia.
Incumbents
| Photo | Post | Name |
|---|---|---|
| President of Zambia | Hakainde Hichilema | |
| Vice President of Zambia | W.K. Mutale Nalumango |
Events
February
- 18 February – 2025 Sino-Metals Leach Zambia dam disaster: A tailings dam belonging to a Chinese-operated copper mine collapses in northern Zambia, causing 50 million liters of waste containing concentrated acid, dissolved solids and heavy metals to enter a tributary of the Kafue River and prompting a shutdown of the water supply in Kitwe.[1]
April
- 8 April – President Hichilema signs a law requiring the interception and surveillance of all electronic communications in the country.[2]
May
- 8 May – The United States halts the provision of $50 million in medical aid to Zambia, citing "systematic theft" of donations.[3]
June
- 25 June – A court in South Africa orders a suspension of the burial of former president Edgar Lungu amid a dispute between Lungu's family and the Zambian government over the funeral arrangements.[4]
July
- 3 July – Two foreign tourists are killed in an elephant attack in South Luangwa National Park.[5]
- 5 July – A minivan collides with a locomotive in Mpika, killing nine people.[6]
- 21 July – The government announces an agreement to build a $1.1 billion crude oil refinery and energy complex in Ndola.[7]
August
- 6 August – The US Embassy orders all American government personnel to leave areas affected by the 2025 Sino-Metals Leach Zambia dam disaster in February, citing continuing contamination and the possible presence of airborne hazards.[8]
- 8 August – A court in South Africa orders the family of deceased former president Edgar Lungu to repatriate his remains to Zambia and allow the government to hold a state funeral for him.[9] A final appeal by Lungu's family is rejected on 16 September.[10]
September
- 15 September – Two people, including a Mozambican national, are sentenced to two years' imprisonment for plotting to assassinate President Hichilema through witchcraft rituals.[11]
- 16 September – Around 176 farmers file a lawsuit against multiple Chinese-linked mining firms for $80 billion over agricultural damages caused by the 2025 Sino-Metals Leach Zambia dam disaster in February.[12]
November
- 8 November – President Hichilema is heckled by stone-throwers while giving a speech in Chingola, resulting in 27 arrests.[13]
December
- 1 December – Zambia begins administering the HIV prevention injection drug lenacapavir.[14]
- 16 December – US President Donald Trump issues a proclamation imposing partial travel restrictions on Zambian nationals travelling to the United States.[15]
- 18 December – Multiple constitutional amendments are signed by President Hichilema, including the expansion of the National Assembly from 167 to 280 members.[16]
Holidays
Source:[17]
- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 21 February – National Youth Day
- 8 March – International Women's Day
- 12 March – Youth Day
- 18 April – Good Friday
- 19 April – Easter Saturday
- 20 April – Easter Sunday
- 21 April – Easter Monday
- 28 April – Kenneth Kaunda Birthday
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 25 May – Africa Day
- 7 July – Heroes' Day
- 8 July – Unity Day
- 4 August – Farmers' Day
- 18 October – National Prayer Day
- 24 October – Independence Day
- 25 December – Christmas Day
Deaths
- 7 April – Edith Nawakwi, 65, minister of finance (1998–1999).[18]
- 5 June – Edgar Lungu, 68, president (2015–2021).[19]
- 3 September – Tapson Kaseba, 32, footballer (Konkola Blades, NAPSA Stars, national team).[20]
References
- ^ "A river 'died' overnight in Zambia after an acidic waste spill at a Chinese-owned mine". AP News. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ^ "US issues warning over new Zambian cyber-security law". BBC. 18 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "US cuts aid to Zambia over 'systematic' medicine theft". BBC. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "Court order stops a former Zambian president's burial in South Africa on the day of his funeral". AP News. 2025-06-25. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
- ^ "Elephant kills 2 female tourists from the UK and New Zealand in Zambian national park". AP News. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ "Nine dead in Mpika crash involving Toyota mini van, TAZARA train". Zambia Monitor. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ "Zambia signs $1.1 Billion deal to build major oil refinery in Copperbelt". Africanews. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "6 months after toxic mine spill in northern Zambia, US Embassy orders personnel out of the area". AP News. 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Hand over the body for burial at home, a South African court tells Zambian ex-president's family". AP News. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "South African court denies burial appeal bid by family of former Zambian president Lungu". AP News. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ^ "2 men sentenced to prison in Zambia for plotting to kill the president with witchcraft". AP News. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ^ "Chinese-linked mining firms in Zambia sued by Copperbelt farmers over 'ecological catastrophe'". BBC. 2025-09-16. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
- ^ Gondwe, Kennedy (27 November 2025). "Stone-hurling anger unnerves Zambia's 'fix-it' president". BBC. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
- ^ "🌟The Bright Side: African nations roll out groundbreaking HIV prevention shots". France 24. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ "Trump expands travel ban list to 39 countries". CNN. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ^ Mfula, Chris (18 December 2025). "Zambia president approves law expanding parliament months before election". Reuters. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ^ "Zambia Public Holidays 2025". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "President Hichilema Mourns Edith Nawakwi, Puts Humanity Before Politics". Lusaka Times. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "Former Zambian President Lungu dies aged 68". BBC. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ "Former Zambia international Tapson Kaseba dies". Panafrica Football. 3 September 2025.