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The Zambian government has approved plans to introduce a 24-hour economy and a series of key legislative reforms aimed at improving education, governance and economic growth.
Speaking following the third Cabinet meeting of 2026 held at State House, President Hakainde Hichilema and his Cabinet endorsed extended operating hours for businesses, markets and bus stations as part of efforts to stimulate productivity and job creation.
In an update on the cabinet resolutions, Information and Media Minister, Cornelius Mweetwa, said the move was expected to unlock new economic opportunities by allowing businesses to operate around the clock, thereby enhancing service delivery and competitiveness across various sectors.
“The shift towards a 24-hour economy will require more supermarkets, markets and transport hubs to remain open throughout the day and night,” Mweetwa said.
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In the education sector, Cabinet approved the introduction of the Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to enshrine free education into law from early childhood to secondary school level.
Mweetwa noted that the policy had already yielded positive results, with about 2.6 million learners returning to school, particularly benefiting vulnerable communities.
Cabinet also approved, in principle, the repeal of the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act of 1994, citing outdated provisions that no longer aligned with the current constitutional framework.
The proposed changes are expected to strengthen transparency, accountability and public trust in governance.
Similarly, the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act is set to be repealed and replaced with updated legislation aimed at reinforcing parliamentary independence, protecting freedom of speech and improving procedural fairness.
Meanwhile, Cabinet has backed the introduction of the Resettlement Management Bill, 2026, which will provide a legal framework for managing resettlement schemes and compensating affected individuals.
The decisions taken at the meeting signal government’s continued push to reform key sectors while driving inclusive economic growth and strengthening democratic institutions.
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