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The Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) is advancing reforms to address key regulatory challenges highlighted by the private sector amid the difficulties businesses are facing, many of which stem from the drought that has impacted the country and led to electricity load management by ZESCO, the power utility company.
During a press briefing in Lusaka, BRRA Board Chairperson Dominic Kapalu noted that businesses have had to turn to alternative energy sources, which are often difficult to access and costly, thus increasing the overall cost of doing business.
Kapalu emphasized that the Agency is committed to working closely with business enterprises to ensure that regulatory requirements do not further burden them by simplifying complex regulatory frameworks, the BRRA aims to enable businesses to focus on growth and sustainability.
Key reforms underway include the review of the Public Procurement Regulations No. 30 of 2022 to eliminate tendering fees and reduce tendering timelines; removing redundant registration and regulatory requirements for contractors under both the National Council for Construction (NCC) and Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) Acts; revising the Forest (Amendment) (Forest Produce) Fees Regulations No. 52 of 2013 to lower honey production and conveyance costs; and consolidating the fire certificate and public health permit into a single business levy, administered by local authorities, to increase efficiency and reduce compliance costs.
Mr. Kapalu acknowledged that while progress has been made on some reforms, others have been slow due to ongoing inertia in implementing the proposed changes. Nonetheless, he affirmed the Agency’s commitment to accelerating these reforms to improve the business regulatory environment as soon as possible.
Zambian regulators are now incorporating Risk-Based Regulation (RBR) guidelines into their operations, resulting in significant time and cost savings for businesses. This progress was highlighted at a recent workshop organized by the Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) and the World Bank Group (WBG) to assess the impact of RBR implementation.
The BRRA, in collaboration with the WBG, has been driving the adoption of RBR to help regulators allocate resources more efficiently, focusing on higher-risk activities and fostering a fairer business environment. This approach is intended to optimize resource use, reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, and streamline business processes.
To ensure the effective rollout of RBR, regulators emphasized the importance of change management, the adoption of digital solutions, and capacity-building initiatives centred on RBR principles.
Held at the World Bank Office in Lusaka, the workshop saw participation from key regulatory bodies, including Patents and Companies Registration Agency, the Energy Regulation Board, the Zambia Revenue Authority, the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency, the Zambia Bureau of Standards, the Bank of Zambia, the Health Professions Council of Zambia, the Zambia Metrology Agency, the Zambia Tourism Agency, the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority, Chongwe Municipal Council and the Business Regulatory Review Agency.
In 2023, the Zambian government, in partnership with the World Bank Group, officially launched the Risk-Based Regulation Guidelines for Public Bodies to support sustainable economic growth through smarter regulation.
The Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) is actively working on reforms aimed at fostering a more business-friendly regulatory environment in Zambia.
BRRA Executive Director, Sharon Sichilongo, highlighted key initiatives such as the digitalization of compliance processes and increased stakeholder involvement to promote transparent regulatory reviews as key to attainment of a conducive business environment.
Mrs. Sichilongo emphasized the importance of collaboration between regulatory bodies and the private sector to enhance Zambia’s investment climate and boost global competitiveness.
Mrs Sichilongo was one of the speakers during the Zambia Investment Forum which was held recently, organized by the Zambia Development Agency in partnership with the World Bank.
The Forum which was held in Lusaka, brought together different stakeholders and focused on reforms undertaken over the past three years and upcoming initiatives to further improve the business landscape.
In celebration of Zambia’s 60 years of independence, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI), alongside its statutory bodies, has launched a tree-planting initiative at Mumana Primary School in Lusaka. More than fifty trees were planted to honour Zambia’s diamond jubilee and support environmental sustainability.
MCTI Acting Permanent Secretary Nalituba Mwale emphasized the importance of tree planting as a proactive step toward addressing the country’s climate challenges. She noted that commemorating the diamond jubilee provided an opportunity for government to collaborate with various partners to commit to a greener future. To this end, MCTI partnered with the Lusaka City Council to select an ideal site and suitable tree species for the exercise.
Mumana Primary School Head Teacher Patricia Mubanga expressed gratitude to MCTI and said the initiative would help students recognize the importance of trees and empower them to educate their communities on the dangers of deforestation.
Lusaka City Council Director of Planning Biggie Chanda added that the education system served as an effective platform for instilling environmental awareness in young learners and fostering a culture of sustainable resource management.
Statutory bodies involved in the event included the Business Regulatory Review Agency, Zambia Bureau of Standards, Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency, Zambia Metrology Agency, and Zambia Development Agency.
The 60 years independence anniversary was commemorated under the theme “60 Years Strong: Honouring Our Heritage, Embracing Our Future.”
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