Zambia Mourns Edith Nawakwi First Female Finance Minister Dies at 66

Zambia Mourns Edith Nawakwi First Female Finance Minister Dies at 66

Zambia’s first female Minister of Finance and president of the opposition FDD, Edith Nawakwi, has died at the age of 66.

Born in 1959 in Mwenzo, Northern Province, Nawakwi made history in 1998 by becoming the first woman to serve as Finance Minister in Zambia and the SADC region. She was an economist and a strong political leader known for breaking barriers in a male-dominated field.

Edith Nawakwi held a degree in Agriculture Economics and Business Management from the University of Zambia and a postgraduate diploma from Imperial College London in the Economics of Energy and Development.

She served in government from 1992 to 2001 under President Frederick Chiluba. During this time, she held various important roles including Minister of State for Energy and Water Development, Minister of Energy, Agriculture, and Labour.

Nawakwi was also a family woman. She was once married to Geofrey Hambulo and sadly lost her daughter in 2013. Despite personal struggles, she continued to play a strong role in politics and national debates.

She led the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), standing out as one of the few female political party leaders in Zambia. Her courage and commitment to public service inspired many women in the country.

Edith Nawakwi’s passing is a great loss to Zambia. She will be remembered for her strength, intelligence, and service to the nation.

May her soul rest in peace.