Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia

19/04/2026

19/04/2026

15/04/2026

NATIONAL LAND COALITION MEMBERS - CIVIC FORUM ON HOUSING AND HABITAT - ZAMBIA, AND ZAMBIA LAND ALLIANCE SUBMIT KEY RECOMMENDATIONS ON LAND REFORM BILLS

Lusaka, Zambia — 15 April 2026

The Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia (CFHHZ), in collaboration with the Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA), have submitted recommendations to the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources on the Agricultural Lands (Amendment) Bill, N.A.B. No. 16 of 2026, and the Land Survey (Amendment) Bill, N.A.B. No. 12 of 2026.
The submission, made as part of broader civil society efforts under the National Land Coalition, aims to strengthen land governance in Zambia.

The Submission was delivered by ZLA Executive Director Patrick Musole, accompanied by the Executive Director of CFHHZ, Grace Chikumo Mtonga.

Mr. Musole welcomed the opportunity to present submissions to the Committee and reaffirmed ZLA’s commitment to promoting transparent, accountable, and efficient land governance systems that support sustainable development and public confidence in land administration.

Zambia Land Alliance expressed general satisfaction with the proposed amendments to the Agricultural Lands Act, particularly the revision of the composition of the Agricultural Lands Board, noting that aligning the Board’s structure is a positive step toward strengthening governance and improving decision-making efficiency.

In support of the submission, Mrs. Mtonga stressed that appointments to the Survey Control Board should be based on clear and objective criteria, including professional qualifications, relevant experience, and the absence of conflicts of interest. She further noted that technical decisions related to survey standards, boundary determinations, and professional registration require specialized expertise and should be protected from undue non-technical influence. She also raised concerns about the concentration of appointment powers in the Office of the Minister under the Land Survey (Amendment) Bill, warning that insufficient safeguards could risk politicization and weaken regulatory independence.

Among the key recommendations submitted, the organizations proposed that technical decisions concerning licensing, survey standards, and disciplinary matters should require approval by a majority of qualified land surveyors, while reaffirming their commitment to working collaboratively with Parliament and stakeholders to promote equitable, transparent, and sustainable land management in Zambia.

Issued by:
Dyson J. Bubala
Communications Officer
Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia

13/04/2026

AFRICAN URBAN FORUM 2026: NAIROBI DECLARATION CALLS FOR INCLUSIVE, CLIMATE -RESILIENT HOUSING ACROSS THE CONTINENT

On April 11, 2026, the Second Africa Urban Forum concluded with the adoption of a pivotal agreement known as the Nairobi Declaration. This landmark declaration underscores a collective commitment among African nations to prioritize housing, urban resilience, and climate action as fundamental elements of sustainable development.
Key Statements and Commitments:
1. Urgent Housing Need: The Declaration highlights a critical housing deficit in Africa exceeding 50 million units, emphasizing the need for climate-resilient housing solutions in response to rapid urbanization and the ongoing shortage of affordable homes.
2. Prioritization of Housing and Urban Resilience: African nations are called upon, alongside city networks, development partners, and civil society, to place urban resilience, housing, human settlements, and job creation at the forefront of Africa's agenda, especially in preparation for the upcoming COP32.
3. Innovative Housing Solutions: The Declaration acknowledges the significant role of informal housing, rental markets, and local financing mechanisms in addressing growing urban housing needs, underscoring the necessity for innovative approaches.
4. Inclusive Governance: It mandates that at least 40% of decision-making positions in housing governance should be filled by women and youth to ensure a more inclusive planning process.
5. Implementation and Accountability: The African Union Commission is instructed to develop an AUF Implementation Scorecard to monitor Member States' commitments, with a mid-term review scheduled for 2028 to assess progress and recalibrate strategies as needed.
6. Integration into National Policies: Member States are urged to adopt or update their National Urban Policies and Territorial Plans to include housing targets, land-use planning, climate resilience, and infrastructure investment.
7. Leveraging Trade and Partnerships: The Declaration emphasizes the African Continental Free Trade Area as a catalyst for industrialization in housing and urban development, encouraging increased cross-border trade and investment in building materials.
8. Empowering Local Governments: By strengthening land-use planning systems and enhancing the capacity to deliver affordable housing, local governments must play a critical role in addressing urban challenges. Community engagement, particularly with informal sector actors, is also deemed essential for effective housing delivery.
The Nairobi Declaration represents a renewed and collaborative effort to ensure that all Africans have access to inclusive, safe, and climate-resilient housing. Stakeholders are committed to actively engaging in the upcoming ten-year review of the New Urban Agenda and contributing to the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) as a platform for advancing Africa's urban agenda.

Issued by:
Dyson J. Bubala
Communications Officer
Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia
[email protected]

09/04/2026

CFHHZ CHAMPIONS INCLUSIVE HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES AT THE AFRICAN URBAN FORUM IN KENYA

Nairobi, Kenya — 9th April 2026

The Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia (CFHHZ) joined African leaders, city authorities, development partners, and civil society organizations in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Second Africa Urban Forum (AUF2)—a major continental platform focused on advancing sustainable urban development and ensuring adequate housing for all.

Convened by the African Union, the Forum is being held from 8th to 10th April 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), bringing together thousands of participants from across Africa to exchange ideas, showcase innovative housing solutions, strengthen urban planning systems, and accelerate progress toward resilient and inclusive cities.

CFHHZ Executive Director, Grace Chikumo Mtonga, is among the delegates contributing to high-level discussions on improving access to safe, affordable housing and promoting community-driven urban transformation initiatives across the continent.

Speaking during the Forum at the side event hosted by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) under the theme " Towards Just Housing Policies in Africa: Adequate Housing for All", Mrs. Mtonga emphasized that adequate housing remains central to dignity, economic empowerment, and sustainable development, especially as African cities continue to grow rapidly.

She noted that the key challenge facing many countries is not the absence of policies, but rather the lack of alignment between policies, systems, and implementation practices.

She further stressed that inclusive planning is essential, stating that decisions about housing and urban development should not be made exclusively in boardrooms without the meaningful participation of affected communities.

She called for stronger accountability and implementation systems to ensure that policies translate into real improvements of people’s lives.

Mrs. Mtonga also highlighted the urgent need for robust monitoring mechanisms, regular policy reviews, and systems that allow for realignment between policy intentions and implementation outcomes.

She underscored the importance of establishing a sustainable financing framework for housing that supports low-income households and vulnerable communities.

In her remarks, she cautioned that while public-private partnerships play an important role in housing delivery, they often primarily serve middle- and higher-income earners.

She noted that limited government participation in financing housing development has contributed to the rapid growth of informal settlements across many African cities.

“The absence of active government participation in housing finance has significantly contributed to the mushrooming of informal settlements. Informality often emerges due to gaps in governance and system failures, which continue to perpetuate inequality.

To address this challenge, we must strengthen coordination, invest in inclusive housing systems, and ensure that communities are actively involved in shaping the solutions that affect their lives,” she said.The Forum is being held under the theme:
“Adequate Housing for All, Advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation towards the Realization of Agenda 2063.”

The theme underscores the critical role of housing in driving economic growth, job creation, climate resilience, and improved living standards across African cities.

The Africa Urban Forum Exhibition has also provided a platform for governments, private sector actors, and civil society organizations to showcase practical solutions—from informal settlement upgrading to climate-smart infrastructure—aimed at addressing the continent’s rapidly expanding urban population.

Participation in the Forum reflects Zambia’s and CFHHZ’s continued commitment to strengthening partnerships, sharing knowledge, and promoting sustainable urban development practices that improve the quality of life for communities across the country.

As the Forum concludes on 10th April 2026, delegates are expected to adopt the AUF2 Nairobi Declaration, signaling a shift from dialogue to concrete action and reinforcing Africa’s leadership in shaping the future of sustainable and inclusive urban growth.

Issued by:
Dyson J. Bubala
Communications Officer
Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia (CFHHZ)
Email: [email protected]

21/03/2026

The flooded house of Mr Makonde in Kanyama compound

21/03/2026

Inform2Build Initiative Explores Sustainable Housing Solutions in Zambia Through Global Partnership

20th March 2026 – Lusaka, Zambia

The Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia recently hosted international researchers from the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, based at Erasmus University Rotterdam, in a collaborative effort to address pressing urban development challenges in Zambia.

The visiting delegation included Antony Boanada-Fuchs, Head of Projects and Partnerships, and Satya Maia Patchineelam, Network Coordinator and Researcher at IHS. Their visit forms part of the SPARK (Sub-Saharan Practices and Resilient Knowledge) initiative, under which they are implementing the Inform2Build project.

Inform2Build focuses on understanding informal building practices across Sub-Saharan Africa by collecting primary data on construction techniques, material preferences, and the challenges faced by residents in informal settlements.

The project aims to bridge the gap between academic housing research and real-world practices on the ground.
Since its launch in May, the research team has conducted fieldwork across West and East Africa, building valuable regional partnerships and documenting indigenous construction methods. A key objective is to assess whether these traditional techniques—often overlooked in formal urban development—can contribute to more affordable, sustainable, and resilient housing solutions.

The project places particular emphasis on peri-urban areas experiencing rapid densification, where local building practices are still in use. It also seeks to explore how frugal innovations in one region may inspire housing solutions in others across the Global South.
Supported by initial funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation, Inform2Build aims to generate cross-country insights and foster knowledge exchange. Planned outputs include an online platform to share findings and a storytelling podcast highlighting lived experiences within informal settlements, with a special focus on women.

During their engagement in Zambia, CFHHZ facilitated discussions on inclusive urban development, highlighting the urgent need for practical, community-driven solutions to improve living conditions. Key areas of focus included strengthening technical capacity, promoting affordable housing models, and enhancing infrastructure in under-served communities.

As part of the programme, the delegation conducted a field visit to Kabanana compound and met with Kabanana Housing Cooperative which is women led interacted with some of the members who are mainly widows who shared the various challenges with self-led housing provision which included limited artisanal skills in construction. They also shared challenges on accessing housing finance which led to compromising the construction of their housing units. They said they could not meet the requirements of most banks and micro-finance institutions to access housing mortagages. They relied on their group savings and their desire was to have their own housing than renting which drained their financial resourses. They made their own blocks and the proportion of mixing cement and sand was flawed. They used more sand and little cement as their aim was to make more building blocks. Some of them used unskilled builders who failed to follow the required building standards. They all complained about the numerous defects of their housing structures which included cracked walls and floors. The other visit was to Kanyama Compound, where they met with Mr. David Makonde, a member of the Kanyama Disabled Persons Association. Mr. Makonde shared his lived experience of inadequate housing and sanitation, including the challenge of accessing a shared pit latrine used by eight households and how difficult it was for him to navigate through the flooded waters when it rains and he entire compound including thier house if flooded with water following a heavy downpour of rain.

Living with a physical disability and hearing impairment, Mr. Makonde currently relies on crawling to access sanitation facilities—an issue that underscores the urgent need for accessible infrastructure in informal settlements especially for persons living with disabilities. With support from CFHHZ, Mr. Makonde has acquired land and is in the process of constructing a two-bedroom house with accessible sanitation facilities.

This development is expected to significantly improve his quality of life and overall well-being.
CFHHZ remains committed to advocating for inclusive, accessible, and affordable housing solutions for all, with particular focus on persons with disabilities.

The organisation continues to promote awareness, strengthen community capacity, and influence policies that uphold the right to adequate housing and secure tenure.

Issued by:
Dyson J. Bubala
Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia
Email: [email protected]

17/03/2026

Misereor visit to project site. Promoting access to clean energy solutions through use of food waste to generate clean cooking gas

14/03/2026

GREENING SOWETO:€100,000 PROJECT TO TURN FOOD WASTE INTO ENERGY

14 March 2026 – Lusaka
The Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia (CFHHZ) has launched an environmental sustainability project at Soweto Market, aimed at reducing waste and promoting clean energy solutions.

The initiative, supported by the German development organisation Misereor and in partnership with the Lusaka City Council, will convert market waste into biogas and organic fertilizer using a bio-digester system.

The project forms part of a broader €100,000 (approximately K2.4 million) investment to address the persistent garbage problem at the market while creating economic opportunities for traders.

According to CFHHZ Executive Director Grace Chikumo Mtonga, the initiative will help improve the working conditions for marketeers.

“The project will enable marketers to operate in a clean and safe environment while turning waste into a valuable resource,” she said.

The bio-digester will convert food waste into organic gas that can be used as cooking energy, while the by-products will be processed into organic fertilizer that can benefit local farmers.

Petra Stammen, Desk Officer at Misereor, emphasized the importance of community awareness on waste management.
“Communities should be sensitized on proper waste management, especially in food markets,” she said.

The project will initially target women operating restaurants within the market, empowering them with knowledge and skills on how to benefit economically from improved waste management systems.

Area Councillor Masautso Ngoma welcomed the initiative, noting that it will bring meaningful benefits to traders in his ward.

Marketeers at Soweto Market have also expressed support for the project, citing its potential to improve the environment while creating new livelihood opportunities.

The initiative is expected to begin implementation in the next quarter, with monitoring systems in place to ensure that communities—particularly women traders—benefit from the waste-to-energy programme.

Issued by:
Dyson J. Bubala
Communications Officer
Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat Zambia (CFHHZ)
Email:[email protected]

12/03/2026

ZAMBIAN YOUTHS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN PROVIDING SOLUTIONS TOWARD ACHIEVING THE CIVIC FORUM ON HOUSING AND HABITAT AGENDA OF ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR ALL.

As we stand on the threshold of International Youth Day (March 12th), themed "Arise and Soar", it's evident to recognize young people's Potential as a driving force that can transform societies.
To unlock their full potential, there is need to equip young people with the right tools, opportunities and spaces to thrive and be innovative.

This year's theme aligns perfectly with the Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat's mission on inclusivity and equitable access to resources especially for the marginalised and the youths.

Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat -Zambia (CFHHZ) urges those in leadership positions to empower young people to overcome limitations, foster imagination and take on leadership roles, driving local and national development. Inclusive housing and habitat towards building resilient communities.

Let us amplify young voices calling for affordable housing for all, safe and accessible public spaces, equitable access to education and employment opportunities, and a sustainable environment for future generations.

To all young changemakers, advocates and innovators, Happy International Youth Day. Let's build a Zambia that's just, equitable and inclusive.

Dyson J Bubala
Communications Officer, Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat-Zambia (CFHHZ)
[email protected]

08/03/2026

We celebrate our Women

The commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026 takes place during a time when global justice systems are being weakened by wars, repression, and geopolitical conflicts. In many regions affected by violence, women and girls are forced to flee their homes in search of safety, losing their land, security, and access to basic services such as education. As a result, many girls struggle to continue their schooling while displaced families face instability and hardship.

Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat -Zambia reflects on the 2026 theme “Give to Gain,” which complements the broader call for “Rights. Justice. Action. For _*ALL*_ Women and Girls.” The theme aligns with the work of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), emphasizing stronger legal systems, the elimination of discriminatory laws, and improved access to justice for women and girls. Although progress has been made globally, women still enjoy only about 64% of the legal rights held by men, leaving a significant gap caused by structural barriers, harmful social norms, and unequal legal protections.

The statement calls on global leaders and societies to take deliberate action to protect women’s rights and promote peace. This includes strengthening legal systems, providing accessible legal aid, supporting survivors of rights violations, and ending impunity for perpetrators of violence. Ultimately, the message of “Give to Gain” encourages governments and communities to give up war, weaponization of aid, and territorial aggression in order to gain peace, justice, and freedom for women and girls worldwide.

08/03/2026

We celebrate our women

The commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026 takes place during a time when global justice systems are being weakened by wars, repression, and geopolitical conflicts. In many regions affected by violence, women and girls are forced to flee their homes in search of safety, losing their land, security, and access to basic services such as education. As a result, many girls struggle to continue their schooling while displaced families face instability and hardship.

Civic Forum on Housing and Habitat -Zambia reflects on the 2026 theme “Give to Gain,” which complements the broader call for “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” The theme aligns with the work of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), emphasizing stronger legal systems, the elimination of discriminatory laws, and improved access to justice for women and girls. Although progress has been made globally, women still enjoy only about 64% of the legal rights held by men, leaving a significant gap caused by structural barriers, harmful social norms, and unequal legal protections.

The statement calls on global leaders and societies to take deliberate action to protect women’s rights and promote peace. This includes strengthening legal systems, providing accessible legal aid, supporting survivors of rights violations, and ending impunity for perpetrators of violence. Ultimately, the message of “Give to Gain” encourages governments and communities to give up war, weaponization of aid, and territorial aggression in order to gain peace, justice, and freedom for women and girls worldwide.