05/10/2026
Construction of ZNPHI Regional Centre of Excellence in Chongwe Advances
Construction of the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) Regional Centre of Excellence in Silverest, Chongwe, has advanced, and the project is expected to significantly strengthen Zambia’s capacity for infectious disease surveillance, preparedness, and response.
Funded by the World Bank through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the centre will include a five-storey office complex, a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory, a regional training centre, a two-storey lodge, and recreation facilities.
ZNPHI Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Project Coordinator Dr Joseph Nikisi said this when the Africa CDC Southern Africa Regional Collaborating Centre (SA-RCC) Director, Dr Peter Kumpalume accompanied by the ZNPHI Acting Director-General Dr Nyambe Sinyange, visited the construction site to assess progress.
Dr Nikisi said significant progress had been made on the construction of the office complex, regional training centre, lodge and recreation facilities.
“We have made a lot of progress in the construction of the ZNPHI offices, regional training centre with lecture theatres, lodge and recreation centre, which will support staff and the surrounding community,” he said.
He said the BSL-3 laboratory had also reached an important milestone following approval of the tender by the World Bank.
“For the laboratory, we have reached a stage where the World Bank has approved the tender. The laboratory will also serve as a regional centre of excellence.
Under workforce development, the project is supporting PhD and Master’s students to build the capacity of ZNPHI staff and ensure that when the laboratory is ready, we have staff who can work in the laboratory,” he explained.
Dr Nikisi said construction works were progressing according to schedule, with the project team aiming to reach slab level before the onset of the rains.
The Regional Centre of Excellence is expected to enhance Zambia’s public health security by strengthening infrastructure, laboratory capacity, workforce development, training and preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks.
