🇿🇲 BRIEFING | Kalaba Criticises 24-Hour Economy Plan as Online Backlash Mounts
Opposition leader Harry Kalaba has sharply criticised the governmentâs newly announced 24-hour economy policy, arguing that Zambia lacks the economic activity required to sustain round-the-clock commercial operations.
The criticism follows Cabinetâs approval of the policy earlier this week, which proposes allowing businesses, markets and transport hubs to operate throughout the day and night as part of broader efforts to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
In a post shared on social media, Kalaba dismissed the proposal in blunt terms.
âYou canât open an economy for 24 hours when there is no economy to talk about. Where the economy operates 24 hours, there is activity in that economy and people have money to spend. None of these exist.â
The remarks quickly triggered a wave of reactions online, with many social media users pushing back against the former foreign affairs ministerâs position.
Several commentators argued that the policy is intended precisely to expand economic activity rather than wait for it to emerge on its own, noting that extended trading hours could create opportunities for small businesses, transport operators and informal traders.
Others pointed out that in many cities across Africa and beyond, informal economies already function late into the night, suggesting that governmentâs move could simply formalise practices that already exist in markets, bus stations and urban trading centres.
The debate reflects a broader national discussion about whether Zambia has the infrastructure, security and consumer demand necessary to support a fully functioning night-time economy.
Supporters of the policy say a structured 24-hour system could spread economic activity across longer operating hours, create new work shifts and improve service delivery in sectors such as retail, logistics and transport.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about issues such as security, electricity supply and consumer purchasing power, arguing that these factors will ultimately determine whether the policy succeeds.
For now, the government has yet to release detailed implementation guidelines, leaving questions about how and when businesses will transition into round-the-clock operations.
What is clear is that the proposal has already ignited a lively political and public debate, with the country weighing whether the concept represents a bold economic reform or a policy whose success will depend heavily on Zambiaâs underlying economic realities.
Š The People’s Brief | Francine Lilu
Ba Kalaba, if you donât understand economics, itâs better you just keep quiet. You were once a foreign affairs Minister and you know how other countries run their economies. For example, some of us who had a privilege of staying in UK, the slogan which is there is; âUK, the Society that never sleepsâ because their economy runs for 24 hours. And contrary to what you are saying, a 24 hour Economy does not look at the goods, services or money that the people have, it simply gives freedom to businessmen to run their businesses at their own time without any restrictions. Banks for example close their Banks to the general public at 14:00 hrs, others at 14:30 still others at 16:00 hrs. Most shops and Markets close at 17 hours but big Super Markets close around 21 or 22 hours. In the other hand, Mines, Hospitals, the Police, filling stations, some restaurants, Transporters etc donât close. Some borders also run for 24 hours. So when we talk about a 24 hour economy, we donât say itâs mandatory to everyone no, it still depends on the type of business that you are doing. It will be unwise to keep your business open for 24 hours when you have nothing to sell in the night. But other businesses like Game Stores, Shoprite, Pick and Pay etc can have good business even in the night, people can have the privilege of shopping at any hour of the night. In reality, a 24 hour economy already exists, what the government has done is just to formalize it and make it official. Hon. Kalaba is criticizing something which already exists and is being improved now. Zambian Economy is headed for unprecedented development, in the three to four year, Kalaba will fail to talk, Bally abomba na vision.
I meant, in the next three to four years.