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The document outlines the challenges of urban food insecurity in Zambia, drawing on household surveys from 14 cities. It advocates for a diverse urban food system that integrates formal and informal sources, such as street vending and urban agriculture. The toolkit details how the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) can be used for food-system investments and maps specific local and national policies—including those related to land, energy, and climate change—that can be leveraged to improve food access and affordability.

The report finds that women represent only about 10% of the Zambian mining workforce, primarily in support roles. Despite national policies like the Gender Equity and Equality Act of 2015, the sector suffers from a 'gender-blind attitude', persistent sexual harassment, and significant data gaps. The authors recommend standardizing gender-disaggregated data collection, promoting STEM education for girls, and implementing specific retention strategies to address the gender pay gap and structural barriers.

The paper examines Chinese investment in Zambia's mining sector, noting that while Chinese firms often have poor labour and environmental records, they have rejuvenated inactive mines and maintained investment during global crises. It highlights that these issues are often systemic to the Zambian mining sector rather than exclusive to Chinese firms, and that anti-Chinese sentiment is frequently politicised by opposition leaders.

The Zambian legal system is a dual structure comprising English common law and customary law. While the judiciary is formally independent, it faces severe resource constraints, infrastructure deficits, and a significant case backlog. The report highlights critical failures in juvenile justice, where children are often treated as adults and detained in violation of the Juvenile Act. Efforts to improve the system include donor-funded infrastructure and legal aid initiatives, though these are hampered by poor conditions of service and a lack of professional training for lower-court magistrates.

The document examines the transition of Zambia's copper industry from state control under Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Limited (ZCCM) to private ownership. It argues that while privatisation increased production and corporate profits, it led to a decline in social services, poor labour conditions, and environmental degradation. The author highlights a 'resource curse' where the state's failure to negotiate fair development agreements and its tendency to protect foreign investors have left local communities with minimal benefits and increased insecurity.

This policy brief examines the adaptation and integration of Chinese immigrants in Zambia, challenging the narrative of 'Chinese self-isolation' through survey data and comparative analysis. It argues that perceived isolation is often a result of workplace requirements rather than ethnocentricity and recommends that African governments and Chinese entities improve localization efforts.