The global voice for consumers La voix des Consommateurs à travers le monde La voz global para la defensa de los consumidores

Country report for Zambia for CI Meeting on A2K Lusungu Ndovi Member of ZACA 21 April 2010

Summary of issues of concern to consumers in Zambia Some important issues of concern include -Inadequate publicity about IP rights -High costs of accessing information -Influx of cheaper pirated products

CI funded programmes in Zambia Workshops on Consumer law protection in 2009 A2K phase 1 interview survey carried out in 2009 A2K phase 2 questionnaire survey carried out late last year till march this year Advocacy and Campaigning activities currently running

Results from Activities carried out -A2K phase 1 was carried out on time with results appearing in the CI report -Workshop on Consumer protection law was successful -General awareness amongst consumers about consumer rights is increasing -ZACA was able to actively participate in the World Consumer Day activities Consumer awareness has been raised across a whole range of sectors including the banking sector where ZACA has advocated for lower borrowing interest rates. More is yet to be done in this area.

Results continued.. - A2K phase 2 which commenced last year started out well but some problems were experienced early in the year leading to a delay in ZACA releasing the feedback from the survey. - ZACA submitted a proposal for the Advocacy and Campaigning activities to CI and was granted some funds for the project. - ZACA intends to advocate for lowering of taxes on educational materials so that they are made more accessible and affordable to ordinary consumers - A number of activities have been planned for the project which is currently running.

Conclusions - From ZACA’s perspective, CI activities is truly making an impact globally in the protection of consumer rights and CI deserves commendation for that. - More awareness about IP rights is needed and there is need to make information and affordable - As ZACA, CI activities are of great importance hence the need to support CI’s activities being part of its activities

By Lusungu Ndovi member of ZACA