2026 Recommendations and Scores for
Zambia
Actions to take
Make radioactive source security commitments legally binding
- Establish a regulatory body with clear authority and a statutory mandate for overseeing the security of radioactive sources across all applications (done)
- Enact regulations that require security for all applications of high-activity radioactive sources (done)
- Maintain a national registry of radioactive sources through the designated regulatory body to facilitate effective oversight of licensing, security, import, and export (done)
- Publicly declare a regulatory requirement, policy, or commitment to implement alternative technology to replace high-activity radioactive sources
How Zambia scored
NATIONAL MEASURES
Regulatory Oversight
Oversight body
Assessment Question:
Does the country/area maintain a radioactive source regulatory oversight body?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No or no data available |
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Scoring Method:
Does the country/area maintain a radioactive source regulatory oversight body?
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Source:
IAEA
Rank 1/176 (tie)
Security Measures
Security measures
Assessment Question:
Are there regulations that require security measures to be in place to protect radioactive sources?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No or no data available |
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Scoring Method:
Are there regulations that require security measures to be in place to protect radioactive sources?
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Source:
Economist Enterprise research
Rank 1/176 (tie)
State Registry
State registry
Assessment Question:
Does the state maintain a registry of radioactive sources?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No or no data available |
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Scoring Method:
Does the state maintain a registry of radioactive sources?
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Source:
Economist Enterprise research
Rank 1/176 (tie)
Inspection Authority
Inspection authority
Assessment Question:
Does the state have authority to inspect facilities with radioactive sources?
Answer:
No or no data available (N)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No or no data available |
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Scoring Method:
Does the state have authority to inspect facilities with radioactive sources?
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Source:
Economist Enterprise research
Rank 119/176 (tie)
Export Licenses
Category 1 licensing requirements
Assessment Question:
Are there licensing requirements for exporting IAEA Category 1 sources?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No or no data available |
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Scoring Method:
Are there licensing requirements for exporting IAEA Category 1 sources?
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Source:
Economist Enterprise research
Rank 1/176 (tie)
GLOBAL NORMS
IAEA Code of Conduct Status
Political commitment
Assessment Question:
Has the state made a political commitment and notified the IAEA of their intent to abide by the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Has the state made a political commitment and notified the IAEA of their intent to abide by the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 1/176 (tie)
Import Export
Assessment Question:
Has the state notified the IAEA of their intent to abide by the Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Has the state notified the IAEA of their intent to abide by the Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 1/176 (tie)
Point of Contact
Assessment Question:
Has the state nominated a Point of Contact to facilitate imports and exports of radioactive source material?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Has the state nominated a Point of Contact to facilitate imports and exports of radioactive source material?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 1/176 (tie)
Questionnaire
Assessment Question:
Has the state made available their responses to the IAEA Importing and Exporting States Questionnaire?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Has the state made available their responses to the IAEA Importing and Exporting States Questionnaire?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 1/176 (tie)
Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources
Assessment Question:
Has the state notified the IAEA of their commitment to implement the Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources?
Answer:
No (N)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Has the state notified the IAEA of their commitment to implement the Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 76/176 (tie)
International Participation
Global FTPRNT
Assessment Question:
Is the country/area a member of the Global FTPRNT?
Answer:
No (N)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Is the country/area a member of the Global FTPRNT?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
Global Forum to Prevent Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism
Rank 64/176 (tie)
International Conference on Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources
Assessment Question:
Did the state send an official delegation to the 2022 International Conference on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Did the state send an official delegation to the 2022 International Conference on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 1/176 (tie)
International Conventions
ICSANT
Assessment Question:
Is the country a state party to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT)?
Answer:
Yes (Y)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Is the country a state party to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT)?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 1/176 (tie)
Joint Convention
Assessment Question:
Is the country a state party to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management?
Answer:
No (N)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Is the country a state party to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 93/176 (tie)
Convention on Assistance
Assessment Question:
Is the country a state party to the Convention on Assistance in the Case of Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency?
Answer:
No (N)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Is the country a state party to the Convention on Assistance in the Case of Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 123/176 (tie)
COMMITMENT AND CAPACITY TO ADOPT ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Intent
Intent
Assessment Question:
Has the state subscribed to INFCIRC/910?
Answer:
No (N)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
Y=Yes | N=No
Scoring Method:
Has the state subscribed to INFCIRC/910?
Y=Yes | N=No
Source:
IAEA
Rank 32/176 (tie)
Implementation
Implementation
Assessment Question:
Has the country publicly declared a regulatory requirement, policy, or commitment to implementing alternative technology to replace high-activity radioactive sources?
Answer:
No or no data available (N)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| Y | Yes |
| N | No or no data available |
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Scoring Method:
Has the country publicly declared a regulatory requirement, policy, or commitment to implementing alternative technology to replace high-activity radioactive sources?
Y=Yes | N=No or no data available
Source:
Economist Enterprise research
Rank 14/176 (tie)
RISK ENVIRONMENT
Political Stability
Stability
Assessment Question:
How stable is the country?
Answer:
High (D)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | Very low |
| B | Low |
| C | Moderate |
| D | High |
| E | Very high |
| X | No data |
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Scoring Method:
How stable is the country?
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Source:
Fragile States Index
Rank 14/176 (tie)
Orderly transfers of power
Assessment Question:
How clear, established, and accepted are constitutional mechanisms for the orderly transfer of power from one government to another?
Answer:
One of the three criteria is absent (C)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | Very clear, established, and accepted |
| B | Clear, established, and accepted |
| C | One of the three criteria is absent |
| D | Two of the three criteria are absent |
| E | Not clear, established, or accepted |
| X | No data |
A=Very clear, established, and accepted | B=Clear, established, and accepted | C=One of the three criteria is absent | D=Two of the three criteria are absent | E=Not clear, established, or accepted | X=No data
Scoring Method:
How clear, established, and accepted are constitutional mechanisms for the orderly transfer of power from one government to another?
A=Very clear, established, and accepted | B=Clear, established, and accepted | C=One of the three criteria is absent | D=Two of the three criteria are absent | E=Not clear, established, or accepted | X=No data
Source:
EIU Operational Risk
Rank 84/176 (tie)
International disputes
Assessment Question:
Is there a risk that international disputes/tensions will negatively affect the polity during the next two years?
Answer:
No threat (A)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | No threat |
| B | Low |
| C | Moderate |
| D | High |
| E | Very high |
| X | No data |
A=No threat | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Scoring Method:
Is there a risk that international disputes/tensions will negatively affect the polity during the next two years?
A=No threat | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Source:
Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
Rank 124/176 (tie)
Armed conflict
Assessment Question:
Is this country/area presently subject to armed conflict, or is there at least a moderate risk of such conflict during the next two years?
Answer:
No armed conflict exists (A)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | No armed conflict exists |
| B | Sporadic conflict; government control is firm, but opposition engages in isolated incidents of violence |
| C | Incursive conflict; government remains in control, but opposition engages in frequent armed incursions |
| D | Sporadic and incursive conflict |
| E | Territorial conflict; opposition has effective control over a region or regions |
| X | No data |
A=No armed conflict exists | B=Sporadic conflict; government control is firm, but opposition engages in isolated incidents of violence | C=Incursive conflict; government remains in control, but opposition engages in frequent armed incursions | D=Sporadic and incursive conflict | E=Territorial conflict; opposition has effective control over a region or regions | X=No data
Scoring Method:
Is this country/area presently subject to armed conflict, or is there at least a moderate risk of such conflict during the next two years?
A=No armed conflict exists | B=Sporadic conflict; government control is firm, but opposition engages in isolated incidents of violence | C=Incursive conflict; government remains in control, but opposition engages in frequent armed incursions | D=Sporadic and incursive conflict | E=Territorial conflict; opposition has effective control over a region or regions | X=No data
Source:
EIU Operational Risk
Rank 111/176 (tie)
Violent demonstrations
Assessment Question:
Are violent demonstrations or violent civil/labor unrest likely to occur during the next two years?
Answer:
Low (B)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | Very low |
| B | Low |
| C | Moderate |
| D | High |
| E | Very high |
| X | No data |
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Scoring Method:
Are violent demonstrations or violent civil/labor unrest likely to occur during the next two years?
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Source:
EIU Operational Risk
Rank 110/176 (tie)
Effective Governance
Effective governance
Assessment Question:
How effective is the country's political system in formulating and executing policy?
Answer:
Low (D)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | Very high |
| B | High |
| C | Moderate |
| D | Low |
| E | Very low |
| X | No data |
A=Very high | B=High | C=Moderate | D=Low | E=Very low | X=No data
Scoring Method:
How effective is the country's political system in formulating and executing policy?
A=Very high | B=High | C=Moderate | D=Low | E=Very low | X=No data
Source:
EIU Operational Risk
Rank 55/176 (tie)
Quality of the bureaucracy
Assessment Question:
What is the quality of the country’s bureaucracy and its ability to carry out government policy?
Answer:
Low (D)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | Very high |
| B | High |
| C | Moderate |
| D | Low |
| E | Very low |
| X | No data |
A=Very high | B=High | C=Moderate | D=Low | E=Very low | X=No data
Scoring Method:
What is the quality of the country’s bureaucracy and its ability to carry out government policy?
A=Very high | B=High | C=Moderate | D=Low | E=Very low | X=No data
Source:
EIU Operational Risk
Rank 45/176 (tie)
Pervasiveness of Corruption
Pervasiveness of corruption
Assessment Question:
How pervasive is corruption among public officials?
Answer:
High (D)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | Very low |
| B | Low |
| C | Moderate |
| D | High |
| E | Very high |
| X | No data |
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Scoring Method:
How pervasive is corruption among public officials?
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Source:
EIU Operational Risk
Rank 57/176 (tie)
Vested interests/cronyism
Assessment Question:
How pervasive is vested interests/cronyism among public officials?
Answer:
High (D)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | Very low |
| B | Low |
| C | Moderate |
| D | High |
| E | Very high |
| X | No data |
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Scoring Method:
How pervasive is vested interests/cronyism among public officials?
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Source:
EIU Operational Risk
Rank 62/176 (tie)
Illicit Activities by Non-State Actors
Likelihood of terrorist attacks
Assessment Question:
How likely is it that domestic or foreign terrorists will attack with a frequency or severity that causes substantial disruption to business operations?
Answer:
Very low (A)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | Very low |
| B | Low |
| C | Moderate |
| D | High |
| E | Very high |
| X | No data |
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Scoring Method:
How likely is it that domestic or foreign terrorists will attack with a frequency or severity that causes substantial disruption to business operations?
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Source:
EIU Operational Risk
Rank 138/176 (tie)
Risk of organized crime
Assessment Question:
How likely is organized crime to be a problem for government and/or business?
Answer:
Moderate (C)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | Very low |
| B | Low |
| C | Moderate |
| D | High |
| E | Very high |
| X | No data |
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Scoring Method:
How likely is organized crime to be a problem for government and/or business?
A=Very low | B=Low | C=Moderate | D=High | E=Very high | X=No data
Source:
EIU Operational Risk
Rank 67/176 (tie)
Firearms seized during interdiction of illicit weapons trafficking
Assessment Question:
How many firearms were seized during the interdiction of illicit weapons trafficking?
Answer:
20th-39th percentile (B)
| Raw Indicator Score | Answer Choices |
|---|---|
| A | 0-19th percentile |
| B | 20th-39th percentile |
| C | 40th-59th percentile |
| D | 60th-79th percentile |
| E | 80-99th percentile |
| X | No data available |
A=0-19th percentile | B=20th-39th percentile | C=40th-59th percentile | D=60th-79th percentile | E=80-99th percentile | X=No data available
Scoring Method:
How many firearms were seized during the interdiction of illicit weapons trafficking?
A=0-19th percentile | B=20th-39th percentile | C=40th-59th percentile | D=60th-79th percentile | E=80-99th percentile | X=No data available
Source:
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Rank 135/176 (tie)