2025 in Zambia

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Decades:	2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	Other events of 2025 Timeline of Zambian history

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

Further information: Public holidays in Zambia

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

1. "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.
2. "US issues warning over new Zambian cyber-security law". BBC. 18 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
3. "US cuts aid to Zambia over 'systematic' medicine theft". BBC. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
4. "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.
5. "Elephant kills 2 female tourists from the UK and New Zealand in Zambian national park". AP News. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
6. "Nine dead in Mpika crash involving Toyota mini van, TAZARA train". Zambia Monitor . 5 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
7. "Zambia signs $1.1 Billion deal to build major oil refinery in Copperbelt". Africanews . 21 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
8. "6 months after toxic mine spill in northern Zambia, US Embassy orders personnel out of the area". AP News. 6 August 2025.
9. "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.
10. "South African court denies burial appeal bid by family of former Zambian president Lungu". AP News. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
11. "2 men sentenced to prison in Zambia for plotting to kill the president with witchcraft". AP News. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
12. "Chinese-linked mining firms in Zambia sued by Copperbelt farmers over 'ecological catastrophe'". BBC. 2025-09-16. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
13. Gondwe, Kennedy (27 November 2025). "Stone-hurling anger unnerves Zambia's 'fix-it' president". BBC . Retrieved 27 November 2025.
14. "🌟The Bright Side: African nations roll out groundbreaking HIV prevention shots". France 24. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
15. "Trump expands travel ban list to 39 countries". CNN. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
16. Mfula, Chris (18 December 2025). "Zambia president approves law expanding parliament months before election". Reuters. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
17. "Zambia Public Holidays 2025". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
18. "President Hichilema Mourns Edith Nawakwi, Puts Humanity Before Politics". Lusaka Times. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
19. "Former Zambian President Lungu dies aged 68". BBC. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
20. "Former Zambia international Tapson Kaseba dies". Panafrica Football. 3 September 2025.

External links

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• Africa portal
• Zambia portal