Internet freedom in Zambia remained tenuous during the coverage period. Internet access and mobile penetration increased slightly, but the passage of the Cyber Crimes Act and the Cyber Security Act broadened authorities’ surveillance powers and included criminal penalties for online speech. Authorities continued to arrest and imprison internet users who criticized the president online, contributing to an environment of self-censorship.

• In July 2024, four people were arrested for demonstrating against the Zesco electric company’s poor management of electricity supplies and resulting power outages in Lusaka.1 The protests were organized in large part online under the hashtag #FixZesco (B8).
• The Cyber Crimes Act, which was enacted in April 2025, criminalized certain forms of online speech including spreading false information, and contained broadly worded clauses that allow punishment of speech intended to harm someone’s reputation. If found guilty of these acts, internet users could face up to two years in prison, a steep fine, or both.2 In January 2025, three people were arrested and charged under the Cyber Crimes Act after allegedly spreading false statements about President Hakainde Hichilema’s health.3 The arrests came as some observers had expressed concern about growing intolerance of political dissent as the government prepares for general elections in 2026. (C2 and C3).4
• In May 2025, former parliamentarian Munir Zulu was sentenced to 18 months in prison with hard labor for a seditious social media post from 2023, in which he claimed that President Hichilema planned to dissolve the parliament and hold early elections (C3).5
• The Cyber Security Act, another law enacted in April 2025, gave authorities disproportionate surveillance powers and required internet service providers to install software and hardware that can support the real-time interception of communications (C5 and C6).6

Zambia’s political system features regular multiparty elections, and some civil liberties are respected. While Zambia experiences democratic transfers of power, opposition parties have faced onerous legal and practical obstacles to fair competition. Restrictive laws that narrow political space and online speech remain in force.

This report has been abridged for Freedom on the Net 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.