Open Records Laws › Zambia

Zambia

Access to Information Act

Access to Information Act, No. 24 of 2023

Open Records Transparency: 57/100 (moderate) Transparency Score: 57/100

RTI Rating: 85 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
20 days
Extension
20 days
Residency Required
None

20 working days from receipt under Section 12(1). Extension of up to 20 additional working days permitted with mandatory notification and reasoning required (Section 13). Requirement: respond "as soon as possible" per Section 6(3).

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • Written — Written request to information officer of public body
  • Electronic — Electronic submission accepted

Requests to designated information officer. No reasons required for request. VERY RECENT LAW enacted 2023.

Required Elements

  • Requester identification
  • Description of information sought
  • Preferred form of access

Fees

Law unclear on request fees. Section 40(2)(b) grants Minister authority to establish fee schedule via regulations. No mandatory free pages provision. No explicit fee waivers for low-income requesters.

Exemptions

  • National Security
    Information affecting national security
  • International Relations
    Information affecting international relations
  • Public Health and Safety
    Information affecting public health or safety
  • Legal Proceedings
    Information relating to legal proceedings
  • Personal Privacy
    Personal information and privacy
  • Commercial Interests
    Trade secrets and commercial confidentiality
  • Economic Management
    Information affecting economic management
  • Environmental Conservation
    Information affecting environmental conservation

Exemptions listed in Sections 20(3), 21, 28(2), 29, 30. Law includes harm test for exemptions. Public interest override applies but details limited.

Appeal Process

1

1

2

2

Two-tier process: independent oversight body, judicial review. NO internal appeal mechanism specified. Law enacted 2023 so implementation mechanisms (oversight body, regulations) still being established. Appeals lack explicit free-of-charge status.

Sources & References