Information Holders Urged to Comply with Access to Information Act
The Human Rights Commission has urged all public and private institutions to intensify efforts to comply with the Access to Information (ATI) Act, No. 24 of 2023, ahead of the expiry of the progressive compliance period on 25 June 2026.
The ATI Act, which came into force on 25 June 2024, grants information holders two years to align their systems, processes and records management practices to make information accessible to the public.
The compliance period is intended to enable institutions to organise and maintain records in ways that facilitate citizens’ constitutional right to access information.
Dr Pamela Towela Sambo, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, emphasised that all information holders including public institutions, private entities and non-state actors handling public funds or information of significant public interest must, at minimum, proactively disclose basic institutional information.
This includes organisational structures, mandates, functions, contact details and other relevant information, either electronically or in print, to enhance public access to services.
“The Commission will commence enforcement of administrative penalties against information holders who fail to comply with the ATI Act after 25 June 2026,” Dr Sambo warned.
The Commission noted that the Access to Information Regulations and Guidelines, published in August and December 2025 respectively, provide detailed guidance for information holders and requesters to understand their rights and obligations under the ATI Act.
Both the Act and supporting documents are freely accessible on the websites of the National Assembly (www.parliament.gov.zm) and the Human Rights Commission (www.hrc.org.zm).
Dr Sambo encouraged institutions to familiarise themselves with these provisions and seek further guidance from the Commission to ensure full compliance.
