Centre for African Network

15/04/2026

Centre for African Network (CEFANET)

Official Statement

Meeting with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD)

Lusaka, Zambia – 13th April 2026

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) invited the Centre for African Network (CEFANET) to a formal meeting at the Ministry Headquarters in Lusaka on Monday, 13th April 2026.

During the meeting, CEFANET was given the opportunity to present in detail its Proposed Independent CDF Monitoring and Evaluation Framework as a Strategic Complementary Partnership with the Ministry.

The presentation outlined a comprehensive, hybrid approach aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, prudent utilisation of resources, community inclusiveness, and sustainable impact of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Key elements discussed included:
- The Three-Pillar Hybrid M&E Framework (Digital Notice Board, Managing for Development Results – MfDR, and Active Citizen Engagement)
- Full alignment with the CDF Act No. 1 of 2024, CDF Guidelines, and the MLGRD CDF Communication Strategy 2024-2026
- Seamless integration into existing government structures (CDF Committees, Ward Development Committees, and Joint Spot Monitoring) without duplication of roles
- Specific focus on School Feeding Programmes, Bursaries & Grants, and Community Infrastructure Projects
- Proposed Implementation Roadmap, including MoU signing, pilot phase, and national scale-up
- Benefits to MLGRD, improved project sustainability, and strengthened public confidence in decentralisation

CEFANET reiterated its commitment to operate strictly as a complementary and supportive partner, working within the legal frameworks to provide third-party assurance and real-time citizen voice while supporting the Government’s decentralisation agenda.

We express our sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for the invitation and the constructive engagement.

This meeting marks a positive step towards formalising a strategic partnership that will contribute to more effective, transparent, and impactful utilisation of CDF resources for the benefit of Zambian communities.

We look forward to continued collaboration and the next steps, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and commencement of the pilot phase.

Together, advancing prudent, inclusive, and sustainable community development through the CDF.

Centre for African Network (CEFANET)
Lusaka, Zambia
13th April 2026

27/03/2026

**MEAL Specialist – Global Office**
**Immediate Recruitment** | Full-Time | Based at Global Office (with possible international travel)

We are seeking a seasoned **MEAL Specialist** with **global-level experience in an International Civil Society Organisation** to join our Global Office with **immediate effect**. This strategic role will strengthen our organization's **Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)** systems across all programs and projects worldwide, ensuring evidence-based programming, high-quality data for decision-making, and strong accountability to beneficiaries, partners, and donors.

If you are a results-oriented professional passionate about driving organizational learning, adaptive management, and impact measurement at a global scale, we encourage you to apply.

**Key Responsibilities:**
- Provide technical leadership in the design, implementation, and oversight of robust, organization-wide MEAL frameworks and systems.
- Support global and country program teams in developing logical frameworks, theories of change, indicators, and comprehensive MEAL plans.
- Oversee high-quality data collection, analysis, verification, and reporting to inform accountability and adaptive learning.
- Build capacity of staff, country teams, and partners in MEAL best practices and tools.
- Facilitate learning events, evaluations, after-action reviews, and the systematic use of evidence for program improvement and strategic decision-making.

**Essential Requirements:**
- Advanced degree (Master’s preferred) in Statistics, Social Sciences, International Development, Monitoring & Evaluation, or a related field.
- **Minimum 3 years or More of progressive experience in MEAL**, with **at least 3 years at global/headquarters level in an International Civil Society Organisation (ICSO)/INGO**.
- Proven track record designing and rolling out MEAL systems for multi-country or global programs.
- Strong expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R, Power BI) and digital data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK).
- Excellent report writing, communication, training/facilitation, and interpersonal skills in multicultural settings.
- Fluency in English (working knowledge of additional languages such as French, Spanish, or Arabic is a strong advantage).

**What We Offer:**
- Competitive allowancesand benefits package (subject to donor funding confirmation).
- Opportunity to shape MEAL strategy and contribute to high-impact global programs.
- Collaborative, mission-driven international work environment.
- Professional development and learning opportunities.

**How to Apply:**
Send your CV and a tailored cover letter highlighting your **global-level MEAL experience in an ICSO** to *[email protected]* with the subject line **“Application – Chief MEAL and Leaning Officer, Global Office”**. Applications will be reviewed on a **rolling basis** due to the immediate need. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those from the Global South.

Detailed Job Description

**Job Title:**Chief MEAL and Leaning Officer.
**Location:** Global Office
**Reports to:** Chief Operating Officer (as applicable)
**Contract Type:** Full-time (Permanent or Fixed-term, depending on funding) to start Immediate.

Purpose of the Role
The **Chief MEAL and Leaning Officer ** will provide strategic technical leadership and support for the development and implementation of effective **Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)** systems across the organization’s global portfolio. The role ensures programs achieve measurable impact, maintain rigorous accountability to affected populations and donors, and promote a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management at the global level.

This position is critical for aligning MEAL practices with international standards, donor requirements, and organizational strategic priorities.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

**1. MEAL System Design & Implementation**
- Lead the development, roll-out, and periodic review of organization-wide MEAL frameworks, strategies, policies, and tools, ensuring alignment with Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere, and major donor guidelines.
- Provide technical input during project design and proposal development, including logical frameworks (logframes), theories of change, SMART indicators, and detailed MEAL plans.
- Establish and maintain centralized data management systems, dashboards, and repositories for tracking outputs, outcomes, and impact across countries.

**2. Monitoring & Evaluation**
- Oversee the planning and implementation of routine monitoring, baseline studies, mid-term reviews, final evaluations, and real-time/post-distribution monitoring.
- Ensure data quality through robust verification, validation, and quality assurance processes.
- Conduct advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis and produce actionable insights, visualizations, and evidence for program adaptation.

**3. Accountability**
- Strengthen beneficiary accountability mechanisms, including feedback and complaint response systems (e.g., CRM tools), ensuring safe, accessible, and responsive channels for affected populations.
- Ensure full compliance with donor reporting requirements, organizational policies on transparency, data protection (GDPR where applicable), and ethical standards.

**4. Learning & Knowledge Management**
- Design and facilitate regular learning events, reflection workshops, after-action reviews, and pause-and-reflect sessions.
- Promote the uptake of evidence and lessons learned to inform strategic planning, adaptive programming, and organizational decision-making.
- Document and disseminate success stories, case studies, evaluation findings, and best practices internally and externally (e.g., through reports, webinars, or publications).

**5. Capacity Building & Technical Support**
- Deliver training, mentoring, and ongoing technical guidance to Global Office staff, country teams, and local partners on MEAL concepts, methodologies, and tools.
- Support the recruitment, onboarding, and performance management of MEAL personnel at global and country levels.
- Conduct periodic assessments of MEAL systems and recommend improvements to enhance quality and efficiency.

**6. Reporting & Representation**
- Contribute high-quality MEAL data, analysis, and insights to donor proposals, reports, annual reviews, and organizational strategy documents.
- Represent the organization in external MEAL networks, technical working groups, donor meetings, and coordination forums as required.

Qualifications and Experience

**Essential:**
- Master’s degree (or Bachelor’s with significant relevant experience) in Statistics, Social Sciences, International Development, Public Health, Monitoring & Evaluation, or a related discipline, with specific training/certification in MEAL.
- **At least 3years and above of progressive experience in MEAL roles within the humanitarian/development sector**, including **minimum 3 years working at global/headquarters level in an International Civil Society Organisation (ICSO) or similar INGO**.
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing MEAL systems for multi-country or global programs.
- Strong proficiency in data analysis software (SPSS, STATA, R, Excel Advanced, Power BI/Tableau) and qualitative analysis tools.
- Proven experience with digital data collection platforms (KoboToolbox, ODK, CommCare) and data visualization.
- Excellent English writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality technical reports and facilitate workshops in multicultural settings.

**Desirable:**
- Experience with major donors (USAID/BHA, EU, ECHO, UN agencies, FCDO, etc.) and familiarity with their MEAL and reporting requirements.
- Previous work at global level supporting country offices in diverse contexts (SADC , EAC Middle East, etc.).
- Additional languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese) are a strong advantage.
- Knowledge of emerging MEAL approaches (e.g., real-time monitoring, remote data collection, outcome harvesting, or participatory MEAL).

**Skills and Competencies:**
- Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills with strong attention to detail and commitment to data integrity/ethics.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a multicultural, matrix-managed global team.
- Excellent interpersonal, training, and capacity-building skills.
- High level of cultural sensitivity and adaptability in complex international environments.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

25/03/2026

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Centre for African Network Strongly Condemns the Brutal Mob Killing of a Woman in Kisasa, Kalumbila District

The Centre for African Network has noted with deep sorrow and outrage the barbaric mob killing of Ms. Eneless Hellen Kamutumbe, a 46 year old businesswoman from Chingola, which occurred on 20th March 2026 in Kisasa area of Kalumbila District, North-Western Province.

As a Civil Society Organisation dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights, we unequivocally condemn this heinous and barbaric act. No human being deserves to die in such a cruel and dehumanising manner. This incident raises serious questions about the erosion of our shared values of humanity, tolerance, and respect for life as Zambians.

We are deeply concerned that such acts of mob justice continue to occur, reflecting a worrying decline in the humility, compassion, and moral principles that have long defined our nation. It is high time we, as a people, stood up to safeguard our country’s peace and unity before we lose the very essence of what makes us One Zambia, One Nation.

We commend the Government of the Republic of Zambia, particularly the security wings, for their swift response in restoring law and order and for the arrest of suspects linked to this crime. We urge the relevant authorities to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to book and face the full force of the law, as mob violence has no place in a democratic and Christian nation.

It has come to our attention that low literacy levels and ignorance continue to fuel such vices, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities. This unfortunate reality often leads to uninformed actions and the breakdown of social order. There is an urgent need for collective responsibility to address these root causes through massive civic education and sensitisation programmes on human rights protection, the rule of law, and peaceful conflict resolution.

As the Centre for African Network, we are ready to take up this responsibility. We intend to roll out comprehensive civic education and community sensitisation campaigns, beginning in the North-Western Province where such incidents appear to be escalating.

We therefore call upon well-wishers, development partners, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, and all stakeholders of goodwill to join hands with us in making this important initiative a success. Together, we can build informed, responsible, and peaceful communities.

We reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of One Zambia, One Nation under God, as a Christian country that values the sanctity of human life.

Issued by:
Advocate Kelly Macha MS
President/CEO
Centre for African Network

Date: 25th March 2026

20/03/2026

The Centre for African Network (CEFANET), an international civil society organization registered and headquartered in Lusaka, Zambia, is pleased to announce the successful completion of its Voter Education Facilitators Training program.

This specialized training was conducted in partnership with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). It has equipped our certified facilitators with the necessary knowledge, skills, and certification to actively serve in the electoral process as Voter Educators, Monitors, and Observers in preparation for the 2026 General Elections, scheduled for Thursday, 13 August 2026.

Through this important capacity-building effort, CEFANET reaffirms its steadfast commitment to advancing democratic governance, peace, and civic participation in Zambia and across the African continent. In the lead-up to the elections, we will continue to:

Provide accurate, impartial, and inclusive voter education to empower citizens with the information required to make informed decisions.

Monitor key stages of the electoral process to promote transparency, accountability, and compliance with electoral laws and international standards.
Advocate for peaceful, credible, violence-free elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Zambian people.

CEFANET remains fully dedicated to working collaboratively with the ECZ, other electoral stakeholders, civil society organizations, community leaders, and the public to create an enabling environment for broad, meaningful, and informed participation in the democratic process.

For the latest updates on our voter education campaigns, election observation plans, community outreach activities, and broader efforts to promote peace, unity, good governance, and sustainable development across Africa, please follow our official channels.

Together, we can protect and strengthen Zambia's democracy for a brighter, more united future.

Centre for African Network (CEFANET)
Promoting Peace, Unity, Civic Engagement, and Good Governance in Africa
Lusaka, Zambia

11/03/2026

Official Training Invitation – Save the Date

We are pleased to invite you to participate in our upcoming training program. Once you are fully equipped, you will be engaged as a Voter Facilitator and placed on allowances during the electoral exercise.

Provincial trainings will commence across the country and continue through to Election Day. This is a vital opportunity to strengthen transparency and civic participation.

📅 Save the Date: 19th March 2025
📍 Registration: Please send your details via WhatsApp us on 0966371399 or 0955495974

Provide the following information when registering:
- Full Name
- Province/District
- NRC Number
- Gender
- Contact Details

We encourage everyone to take part in this important initiative. Come, be trained, and contribute to safeguarding the integrity of our electoral process.

08/03/2026

"Today, as we observe International Women's Day, as the Centre for African Network we stand in solidarity with countless individuals across Zambia and the globe, celebrating the profound strength, unwavering resilience, and invaluable contributions of women and girls everywhere.

Women are undeniably the bedrock of our families, the vital force driving our communities forward, and the visionary architects shaping a brighter future. From the bustling markets and fertile farms to the esteemed boardrooms and public offices, Zambian women consistently exemplify leadership, inspire change, and achieve greatness.

As a nation, our steadfast commitment must be to cultivate opportunities that enable every woman and girl to fully realize their boundless potential. This necessitates dedicated investment in education, robust support for women-led enterprises, vigilant protection of women's rights, and an unwavering assurance that every woman's voice is not only heard but deeply respected.

May this day serve as a poignant reminder that when women are empowered, our communities flourish and our nations become immeasurably stronger. Together, let us persist in dismantling barriers, confronting inequalities, and forging a Zambia where every woman and girl can dream without limits and achieve extraordinary feats.

To every woman throughout our magnificent nation, know that your courage, your voice, and your unique story are profoundly significant.

Happy International Women’s Day.

Advocate Kelly Macha MS
CEO/President
Centre for African Network-CEFANET"

01/03/2026

The Centre for African Network (CEFANET), a prominent advocacy group focused on African sovereignty and development, has joined a growing chorus of supporters backing the United Party for National Development (UPND) government's bold decision to reject a proposed $1 billion health aid package from the United States.

This move, announced in late February 2026, underscores Zambia's commitment to protecting its national interests amid concerns over conditional foreign aid.
Under President Hakainde Hichilema's leadership, the UPND administration has been negotiating this five-year deal, which was intended to fund critical health initiatives including HIV/AIDS treatment, malaria prevention, maternal and child health services, and epidemic preparedness.

Zambia was expected to contribute approximately $340 million in co-financing. However, the government halted the agreement after revised drafts included clauses perceived as compromising national sovereignty, such as requirements for U.S. access to sensitive citizen health data and linkages to bilateral mining partnerships for critical minerals like copper and cobalt. Critics, including health advocates, have highlighted how these conditions prioritize U.S. economic and strategic interests—particularly under the Trump administration's "America First" approach—over pure humanitarian support.

CEFANET's endorsement aligns with broader African sentiments emphasizing self-reliance and resistance to "strings-attached" aid. The organization has praised the decision as a step toward true independence, arguing that accepting such terms could undermine Zambia's control over its natural resources and personal data privacy.

This stance echoes similar rejections by neighboring Zimbabwe, which turned down a $367 million U.S. health package for analogous reasons, as well as pushback from Kenya against donor conditions in related agreements. Other supporters include various civil society groups, regional think tanks, and political commentators who view this as an opportunity for Zambia to invest in domestic health solutions and diversify international partnerships, potentially with entities like the African Union or BRICS nations that offer aid with fewer geopolitical demands.

The implications of this rejection are multifaceted. On one hand, it may temporarily strain Zambia's health budget, potentially affecting programs that serve millions living with HIV or at risk of malaria. On the other, it signals a shift in African diplomacy, where nations are increasingly willing to forgo large aid sums to safeguard autonomy.

As negotiations continue, with Zambia open to revisions that align strictly with health objectives, this episode highlights the evolving dynamics of global aid in an era of resource competition and data-driven economies. CEFANET and its allies urge continued vigilance to ensure future aid enhances, rather than erodes, African agency.

Advocate Kelly Macha MS
President/CEO
Centre for African Network
01.03.2025

18/02/2026

The Centre for African Network is delighted to Explain the deep meaning embolded on their Newly Designed LOGO:Deep Explanation and and Symbolic of - CENTRE FOR AFRICAN NETWORK - CEFANET

The tagline “Africa is all we have, we must save it” is not decorative — it is the heartbeat of the entire design. The logo does not simply identify the organisation;

it laments (bemoans) the current fragmented state of the continent while simultaneously declaring the solution: collective African intelligence and interconnected action.
Layer-by-Layer Symbolic Breakdown
The Perfect Circle with Glowing Turquoise Border

A circle has no beginning or end — it symbolises eternal unity, wholeness, and completeness. In African philosophy, the circle often represents community (“I am because we are”). The luminous turquoise (a blend of peaceful blue and life-giving green) radiates hope, enlightenment, digital connectivity, and environmental consciousness. It frames the entire logo like a protective shield, saying: “Africa must be held together as one sacred whole.”

The Arched Text

“CENTRE FOR AFRICAN NETWORK”
The word “CENTRE” places CEFANET at the heart of continental transformation.

“NETWORK” is not accidental — it is the organisation’s core identity: building bridges between communities, nations, civil society, youth, women, and leaders across Africa and the diaspora.

The Heart of the Logo: Africa Re-imagined as a Glowing, Rainbow Brain
This is the most profound and powerful element.

Africa shaped as a human brain — The continent is not portrayed as a landmass in crisis, but as a living, thinking mind. It declares that Africa has its own genius, wisdom, and solutions. The brain symbolises collective intelligence, critical thinking, innovation, and enlightenment — exactly what CEFANET promotes through its Education-for-All programmes and calls for informed decision-making during elections.

Vibrant rainbow gradient (red → orange → yellow → green → blue → purple) flowing seamlessly across the continent represents:
Unity in diversity — Africa’s 54 countries, over 2,000 languages, countless ethnic groups and cultures are not weaknesses but strengths when they flow together.

Hope after the storm — Rainbow is the universal symbol of promise and renewal.
Inclusivity — Every shade of African identity is welcomed and valued.

Glowing neural pathways and network nodes (the bright connecting lines and dots) — These are the “synapses” of Africa’s collective mind. They show ideas, knowledge, advocacy, and solidarity spreading rapidly across borders.

Some nodes extend outside the continent, signifying that CEFANET’s network reaches the African diaspora and global partners. This directly reflects their work against tribalism, political violence, and injustice by connecting people who refuse to be divided.

The Bold “CEFANET NGO” and the Urgent Tagline
The tagline is placed like a sacred oath at the base — a solemn reminder and a battle cry.

“Africa is all we have” acknowledges the reality that no external saviour is coming; “we must save it” is a call to collective responsibility — exactly the mandate of peace-building, anti-corruption campaigns, peaceful election advocacy, and community empowerment that CEFANET lives by.

Overall Deep Meaning in One Sentence
The logo is a visual prophecy: Africa will be saved when its people awaken their collective brainpower, dissolve artificial divisions through unbreakable networks of solidarity, and act together with urgency and hope.

It does not romanticise the continent — it bemoans the current pain of corruption, tribal hatred, gender violence, and political conflict (the “dark background” surrounding the glowing Africa), yet it radiates unshakeable faith that the solution lies within Africa’s own connected minds and hearts.

In short, when you look at this logo, you are not just seeing a pretty image.

You are seeing CEFANET’s entire vision and mandate in one powerful symbol:
A united, thinking, connected Africa that refuses to be broken and is determined to save itself.

This is why the organisation chose this design — it is not decoration.
It is the mandate made visible.

If you are part of CEFANET or simply love what they stand for, this logo is your daily reminder and your call to action. Africa is indeed all we have — and through education, unity, and fearless advocacy, we will save it.
Let the logo speak every time you see it. 🌍🧠✨

15/02/2026

The Centre for African Network was hosted alongside Multi-Service Youth Zambia-NGO by City Tv Zambia to explain the importance of Civil Society Organisation in an Electoral Process and Governance. .

15/02/2026

15/02/2026

Kindly visit the link below to verify the details of your voters card if they are collect. Your vote Counts!!!

Verify your voter registration details