23/08/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADRA ZAMBIA LEADS THE WAY IN AFRICA WITH MILESTONE IN OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – 20 August 2026
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA Zambia) has achieved a significant milestone in its organisational accountability and operational excellence journey, becoming the first ADRA office in Africa to complete the current cycle of the ADRA Accreditation and Licensing (AAL) process and transition to the Operational Excellence System.
The achievement was recognised by senior representatives from ADRA International and the ADRA Africa Regional Office, who commended ADRA Zambia for demonstrating strong commitment to organisational standards, compliance and operational excellence.
Speaking during the Handover ceremony, Ms. Yasmin Perez, Director of Global Accountability at ADRA International, congratulated ADRA Zambia for reaching the milestone and highlighted the importance of the process in maintaining consistent standards across the ADRA network.
“We are extremely proud of ADRA Zambia for achieving this new level in our operational excellence system.”
Ms. Perez noted that the licensing process enables ADRA offices to operate in accordance with standards agreed upon across the global network. She further revealed that, among the 30 ADRA offices in Africa and the eight offices that had been verified, Zambia was the first to complete the process.
Pastor Geoffrey Mbwana, Interim Executive Director of the ADRA Africa Regional Office, also congratulated ADRA Zambia, describing the achievement as a milestone for the organisation and a demonstration of strong institutional commitment.
“It’s hard work but it’s good work and Zambia is leading the way on the continent of Africa.”
Pastor Mbwana encouraged ADRA Zambia to maintain the standards associated with its licence and continue protecting the ADRA name while advancing the mission of ADRA International.
The milestone reflects ADRA Zambia’s continued efforts to strengthen its internal systems, accountability mechanisms, compliance and overall effectiveness in delivering programmes and services to communities.
ADRA Zambia Country Director, Mr. Kennedy Habasimbi, said the achievement represents an important step forward for the organisation and its commitment to improving the way it operates and delivers its mission.
“It means a lot to us because what that means is we are improving our way of delivering, our way of doing things and our compliance levels are high.”
Mr. Habasimbi added that the achievement has energised the ADRA Zambia team to continue strengthening its work and serving communities with greater commitment.
“To have this licence just gives us more power, more energy and more zeal to do more for God’s people.”
The transition to the Operational Excellence System demonstrates ADRA Zambia’s commitment to maintaining high standards of governance, accountability, compliance and programme delivery. It also positions the organisation as an example for other ADRA offices across Africa as they progress through the same institutional strengthening journey.
ADRA Zambia remains committed to its mission of serving humanity so all may live as God intended, while continuously improving its systems and capacity to deliver quality, accountable and sustainable development and humanitarian interventions.
The meeting was also attended by other senior representatives from the ADRA Africa Regional Office, including Dibden Chileya, Chief Financial Officer; Hannah Ndungu, Emergency Management Director; and Prisca Chileya, Emergency & Programs Coordinator. Their participation underscored the regional office’s support for ADRA Zambia’s organisational strengthening, accountability and operational excellence journey.
ABOUT ADRA ZAMBIA
ADRA Zambia is part of the global ADRA network, working to serve vulnerable communities and contribute to sustainable development and humanitarian response. The organisation implements programmes aimed at strengthening livelihoods, improving access to education, health and WASH services, responding to emergencies, and promoting inclusive and resilient communities. Guided by the mission “Serving Humanity, So All May Live as God Intended,” ADRA Zambia works with communities, government, development partners and other stakeholders to address critical needs and create opportunities for people to improve their quality of life.
For further information, please contact:
ADRA Zambia - Communication Officer
Memory Musamba
[email protected]
Lusaka, Zambia
