Zambia hosts National Resettlement Indaba, advances new legal framework for inclusive development

 

By Ennie Kishiki Mutepuka.

Zambia has convened a high-level National Resettlement and Compensation Indaba in Lusaka, with stakeholders endorsing the Revised National Resettlement Policy of 2024 and the Cabinet-approved Resettlement Management Bill of 2026 as critical steps toward inclusive and sustainable development.

Speaking during the forum, Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) Executive Director Maggie Mwape commended the Office of the Vice President, the Ministry of Mines, and other key government institutions—including the Ministries of Local Government and Rural Development, and Green Economy and Environment—for facilitating what she described as a landmark national dialogue. She also acknowledged the role of traditional leaders, parliamentarians, mining companies, civil society organisations, and community representatives in shaping the resettlement agenda.

Mwape underscored the growing significance of Zambia’s mining sector, noting that copper production reached 890,346 metric tonnes in 2025, marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. The sector continues to attract more than US$10 billion in investment, contributing between 17 and 20 percent to GDP and accounting for over 70 percent of export earnings.

She said the Revised National Resettlement Policy of 2024, alongside the proposed Resettlement Management Bill of 2026, signals government’s intent to transform resettlement from a source of conflict into a structured pathway for equitable growth.

“The proposed Resettlement Management Bill offers a comprehensive and standalone legal framework capable of addressing long-standing gaps in compensation, livelihood restoration, and environmental protection,” Mwape said.

She called for further strengthening of the bill to incorporate robust human rights protections, social safeguards, and environmental considerations. According to Mwape, such measures would reduce disputes, limit project delays, protect cultural heritage, and ensure that affected communities are not left behind.

While acknowledging the role of mining companies in driving economic growth, Mwape urged the private sector to deepen collaboration with government and communities, including co-hosting future platforms to sustain dialogue and accountability.

She cautioned, however, that rapid development—compounded by climate change—poses increasing risks. Floods and droughts have already displaced communities in several parts of the country, highlighting the need for climate-resilient resettlement strategies. These, she said, must go beyond financial compensation to include sustainable livelihoods, resilient infrastructure, and diversified income opportunities.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Resettlement in the Office of the Vice President, Marvis Nkomeshya, emphasised that the proposed Resettlement Management Bill of 2026 seeks to establish a clear and enforceable legal framework governing displacement linked to development projects.

Nkomeshya pointed to inconsistencies in current compensation practices as a key driver of disputes, stalled projects, and investor uncertainty.

“The bill enforces constitutional rights to fair compensation prior to displacement, guarantees livelihood restoration to at least pre-displacement levels, and places the full cost of resettlement on project developers,” she said.

Set against a backdrop of 6.4 percent GDP growth and single-digit inflation, she warned that unresolved resettlement challenges pose a growing economic risk, potentially delaying investments and increasing litigation costs.

She further called on civil society to engage constructively in refining the bill, stressing that affected communities should be viewed not as obstacles, but as primary beneficiaries of development.

Earlier, Ministry of Mines Director of Large-Scale Mining and Mineral Investment Promotion, Fred Banda, described the Indaba as a timely platform for aligning economic growth with social responsibility.

Banda noted that while the mining sector remains central to job creation and national development, resettlement issues are fundamentally tied to justice, dignity, and sustainability.

He said the proposed legislation—already approved by Cabinet in principle—introduces greater clarity, coordination, and accountability across resettlement processes in all sectors.

“Effective resettlement frameworks can improve living standards and strengthen trust between investors and citizens, while poorly managed processes risk long-term socio-economic harm,” Banda said.

He urged stakeholders, including civil society, traditional authorities, and private sector actors, to actively contribute practical recommendations to ensure the final framework reflects Zambia’s shared values and long-term development aspirations.