Lusaka: It has been almost three months since Zambia’s president, Hakainde Hichilema, signed the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Acts of 2025 into law. His supporters hailed the laws, calling them progressive, and said they would help fight digital crimes and improve national security. However, rights groups maintain the laws, especially the Cyber Crimes Act, are undemocratic and stifle freedom of expression and speech.
According to Deutsche Welle, Mulambo Haimbe, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, stated that the legislation is meant to protect citizens online and not stifle fundamental freedoms. “This conception that the cyber laws are perhaps meant to intrude, to go into your personal details in a willy-nilly fashion is not correct,” he told journalists at a press briefing in Lusaka. Oliver Shalala Sepiso, a media consultant for the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), also defended Zambia’s new cyber laws, saying they are not about the surveillance of citizens but merely for digital or data protection.
Richard Mulonga, CEO of Bloggers of Zambia, emphasized the need for cyber legislation to combat rampant cybercrimes such as identity theft and online fraud. However, he noted that some provisions have the potential to restrict free expression, assembly, and association, thereby affecting broader digital rights. Lungisani Zulu, President of the Law Association of Zambia, announced that his association will challenge the new law in court due to its infringement on citizens’ rights and freedoms.
The new laws replace the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act of 2021, which saw the arrest of individuals like Mbewe Sibajene for circulating satirical content. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) reports that the new law has negatively impacted journalists, leading to self-censorship due to fears of potential repercussions.
Tech-savvy young Zambians appear divided over the new legislation. Some, like Kellys Mushota, have observed a reduction in harassment on social media but also note a decrease in the willingness to speak freely on governance and politics. Others, like researcher Joshua Seke, express concern over privacy and potential government interception of private conversations.
Mary Ndau, a Lusaka resident, believes the laws will discourage online abuse, promoting responsible behavior online. Critics argue that President Hichilema, who once opposed such laws, has now enacted even stricter cybersecurity measures. The West Africa Media Foundation has noted a rise in similar restrictive cyber laws across Africa, impacting freedom of expression and privacy.