IMF Talks: Zambia has started discussions with an IMF mission on a successor Extended Credit Facility programme, aimed at protecting debt sustainability while boosting investment, exports, diversification and jobs, with talks running to 10 October and covering the 2027 budget and 2027-2029 Medium-Term Budget Plan. UAE Investment Push: President Hakainde Hichilema’s Abu Dhabi trip delivered MoUs worth about US$2.14bn, including a US$2bn Lusaka Medical City deal meant to position Zambia as a regional health tourism hub, plus other agreements across sectors. Inflation & Growth Narrative: Speaking at the Zambia-UAE Business Forum, Hichilema linked falling inflation during the election period to government discipline, citing a drop to 6.1% in September, and said the focus now shifts to the Grow Zambia Agenda. Energy & Power Supply: Maamba Solar has begun evacuating 100MW into the ZESCO grid as part of efforts to diversify Zambia’s power mix and support mining. Mining & Accountability: ZCCM-IH accuses Abu Dhabi’s IRH of breaching Mopani agreements, raising concerns over financial and operational performance. Business Support: Government disbursed over K16m to 47 MSMEs to help them scale production and tap markets along the Lobito Corridor. Exploration Funding: Tertiary Minerals secured £1m to fund deeper drilling at its Mushima North silver-copper project in Zambia.