Zambia is a relatively stable democracy that has seen two peaceful transfers of power from ruling parties to the opposition, in 2011 and 2021, raising hopes that it could serve as a democratic model in Southern Africa. The current UPND government has introduced progressive reforms, including repealing the defamation of the president law, banning political “cadreism,” and operationalising the long-awaited Access to Information Act in 2024.

However, these gains coexist with significant regressions. Selective law enforcement, continued reliance on colonial-era regulations such as the Public Order Act, expanding digital monitoring under the Cyber Security Act of 2025, and the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 remain major concerns. Although the Bill was deferred after public outcry, civil society and legal experts warned it could entrench executive power and weaken democratic transparency. Journalists, human rights advocates and government critics remain particularly exposed to rights restrictions.

Zambian CSOs are legally recognised and can access domestic and foreign funding, but sustainability remains a major challenge. Organisations providing services in health and education have been affected by USAID funding reductions, increasing vulnerability among marginalised communities. State–civil society engagement has improved through Zambia’s 2024 membership in the Open Government Partnership, but responsiveness remains uneven, with governance-focused CSOs and government critics facing more resistance than service-delivery organisations. Public trust in civil society is mixed, with concerns about transparency and accountability in some organisations.