Zambia bans drink containing Viagra

Zambian first lady Esther Lungu embarked on an exotic trip in January to receive four fire trucks donated by the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

The ultimate energy boost? Zambia bans drink containing Viagra.

Russia has launched a power plant to make its Kaliningrad exclave self-reliant when its EU neighbors unplug their power grid. Home to Russia's Baltic Fleet, old East Prussia is still a prime piece of real estate.

Zambia's economy is in the tight grip of Chinese loans, a practice which has been described as dasabi, Chinese for throwing money around, mostly in secret, to ascertain influence. And Beijing-backed firms are assuming long term control of key Zambian assets.

Many Africans are worried by the increasing presence of China on the continent. But how much is China really involved? A DW team traveled to Zambia to investigate how China has taken control of key infrastructure.Many Africans are worried by the increasing presence of China on the continent. But how much is China really involved? A DW team traveled to Zambia to investigate how China has taken control of key infrastructure.

Across Africa, young women are rising through the ranks in politics and business. After Mali and Botswana appointed young female ministers in 2018, many celebrated it as a turning point. But it's another story for village councils, where youth – and especially women – are barely represented. We met with a young Zambian politician who is paving the way for change in her country.

Zambia's largest copper mining operation, KCM, has been liquidated. Many are asking now if the country could repossess private mining operations in a bid to shore up financing amid rising debt levels.

When 26-year-old Buumba Malambo ran forward councilor in Zambia, she was harassed and even physically threatened. Although young women are increasingly rising through the ranks in business and politics across Africa, it's a different story for rural councils, where they are barely represented. Buumba hopes to inspire change.

While Zambians remain heavily reliant on cash for transactions, the numbers are improving with new products being developed with the support of regulatory authorities. Tola Adebayo, Head of digital banking at UBA Zambia spoke to CNBC Africa on the cashless policy drive in Zambia.

Lupiya, a Zambia-based fintech startup, is a marketplace for microloans. Evelyn Kaingu speaks with Guardian TV about Lupiya's products and financial inclusion in Zambia.

Zambia has been gearing up for talks with the IMF after becoming the first African nation to default on debt since the COVID-19 pandemic started. But analysts say an IMF loan is unlikely until after August elections.

China's presence is visible all over Africa. But nowhere as much as in Zambia, the African nation where it invested the most money last year. The ties between Beijing and Lusaka are strong and have existed for decades. Today, China possesses one third of Zambia's national debt. It has invested in the mining and industrial sectors, but also in agriculture. Some Zambians denounce this Chinese presence as a form of neo-colonialism.