The Copperbelt Energy Corporation PLC (CEC) successfully hosted its inaugural Media Awards on November 27, 2025, celebrating excellence in journalism and strengthening collaboration between the media, private sector, and Government.

The Guest of Honour, Minister of Energy, Mr. Makozo Chikote, commended CEC for recognising media excellence at a time when the energy sector is experiencing significant challenges. He emphasized the indispensable role journalists play in shaping national awareness and supporting Zambia’s development agenda through accurate and responsible reporting.

The Minister applauded journalists for their ability to translate complex and technical energy issues into clear, accessible information, which he said was vital for boosting investor confidence and enhancing public trust.

He urged media practitioners to become energy ambassadors, particularly as the country navigates the current energy crisis.

“As private-sector organisations continue investing in solutions to address the nation’s power deficit, it is important that we ensure accurate reporting on energy sector reforms to attract and retain investment in the country,” he said.

He further reminded journalists that the quality of their reporting influences national perception, counters misinformation, and supports economic stability, especially within the energy sector.

Speaking at the same event, then Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media, Mr. Bernard Domingo, reiterated Government’s unwavering commitment to fostering a media environment that is free, responsible, and sustainable.

“Our goal is clear, to build an ecosystem in which journalists can work without fear, where citizens can access reliable information, and where the media can thrive as a partner in national development,” he said.

Public-Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) Deputy Director General, Ms. Jacqueline Saidi Chishimba, applauded CEC for its long-standing partnership with the PPDF.

“Engineer Silavwe and your team, congratulations. We are proud of you and grateful for your role in strengthening the media industry in Zambia,” she said.

CEC Managing Director, Mr. Owen Silavwe, commended the media for effectively articulating the company’s contribution to the growth of Zambia’s energy sector and the broader economy.

Mr. Silavwe added that this year’s awards build on last year’s media training initiative aimed at simplifying technical aspects of the energy sector and empowering journalists to produce impactful stories that contribute to national development.

He highlighted CEC’s commitment to expanding Zambia’s energy mix, noting that the corporation was the first utility to connect a utility-scale solar plant to the national grid in 2023. Leveraging proceeds from its Green Bond issued on the LuSE, CEC now boasts 94MW of operational solar capacity, with an additional 173MW expected to be commissioned next year.

Furthermore, he said development work is also underway for the Solar 3 Projects, targeting 500MW of additional solar generation by 2027 across three sites.

The awards ceremony featured a high-level judging panel comprising Dr. Brenda Bukowa (University of Zambia lecturer, researcher, and media consultant), Charles Mafa (Investigative Journalist and Co-founder of MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism), Patricia Chibiliti (Founder and Managing Director of Millennium Radio), Jack Zimba (award-winning Journalist and Business Editor at Zambia Daily Mail), Michelo Malungisa Lubinda (Acting Senior Editor at ZANIS), and Margaret Kabuswe (Policy and Advocacy Officer at Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia).

Eleven journalists from nine media houses were awarded for excellence in journalism.

Award winners include:

1. Best Print Coverage 2025 – Winner: Kennedy Mupeseni – Times of Zambia
2. Best Print Coverage 2025 – 1st Runner-Up: Nkombo Kachemba – Zambia Daily Mail
3. Best Print Coverage 2025 – 2nd Runner-Up: Barnabas Zulu – Daily Nation
4. Best TV Coverage 2025 – Winner: Derrick Chityamba – Prime TV Zambia
5. Best TV Coverage 2025 – Runner-Up: Respite Kaoma – Mafken TV
6. Best Radio Coverage 2025 – Winner: Phyllis Sitenge – Faith Radio
7. Best Radio Coverage 2025 – Runner-Up: Justina Matandiko – Radio Chimwemwe
8. Best Financial Results Coverage 2025 – Winner: Buumba Chimbulu – Daily Nation
9. Best Financial Results Coverage 2025 – Runner-Up: Tryness Tembo – Zambia Daily Mail
10. Most Promising Journalist 2025 – Winner: Clara Salome Chisenga – Radio Icengelo
11. Most Promising Journalist – Runner-Up: Joseph Phiri – ZNBC
12. Most Consistent Journalist 2025 – Winner: Kennedy Mupeseni – Times of Zambia
13. Overall Excellence Award – Winner: Buumba Chimbulu – Daily Nation