The Zambian cabinet has approved the introduction to Parliament of two bills focused on electronic transactions and cyber security.
The bills, discussed at the just-concluded 17th cabinet meeting in Lusaka, are the Electronic Communications and Transactions (Amendment) Bill (2025) as well as the Postal Services (Repeal) Bill (2025).
Cornelius Mweeta, minister of Information and Media, and chief government spokesperson, said cabinet had approved in principle to introduce the bills to the House of Assembly.
The Electronic Communications and Transactions (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend an earlier act of the same name, introduced in 2021, he explained.
"This is in order to resolve conflicts with the Cybersecurity Act (2025) and expand public key infrastructure regulations for secure digital transactions," Mweeta said.
The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (2021) provided for a legal framework for electronic communications and transactions, facilitating the growth of e-commerce, digital payments and online transactions and services.
"The Act aims to promote a secure and trustworthy online environment, protecting consumers and businesses alike," Mweeta added.
He noted however, the implementation of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act had faced challenges, particularly as the licensing process was tied to critical information infrastructure.
The amendment will enhance secure, efficient and reliable electronic transactions, he added.
"Further, the legislation will contribute to economic development, across various sectors affecting businesses and consumers."
The Postal Services (Repeal) Bill comes amid a need to review the Postal Services Act (2009), which cabinet reasons is necessitated by the rapid evolution in technology that has taken place since 2009.
"This has resulted in unanticipated transformation in the way the postal and courier services are doing business," Mweeta said.
He also noted a change in challenges faced, which include cyber-related and counterfeiting, which, he said, rendered the current framework “inadequate for the effective regulation of the sector".
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