The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has cancelled a US$14 million contract awarded to Ren-Form CC, a South African company linked to controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
The company was set to print and deliver ballot papers and materials for Zambia’s 2026 general elections. The decision came after Ren-Form CC failed to meet the requirements outlined in the tender documents. South African-based Zimbabwean activists had also raised concerns, asking Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to intervene, citing the company’s alleged involvement in corruption and inflated invoices in other electoral projects.
The ECZ has now awarded the contract to Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, a company based in the United Arab Emirates. Activists had warned that continuing with Ren-Form CC could destabilize the region due to the company’s alleged ties with unethical practices. Ren-Form CC and Chivayo were previously accused of inflating costs in a US$40 million tender for Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections.
