The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Zambia has become 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 milestone was marked at a handover ceremony in Lusaka on 20 August 2026, attended by senior representatives from ADRA International and the ADRA Africa Regional Office.

Yasmin Perez, Director of Global Accountability at ADRA International, said the licensing process enables ADRA offices to operate according to standards agreed across the global network. Of the 30 ADRA offices in Africa, eight had been verified, and Zambia was the first to complete the process.

"We are extremely proud of ADRA Zambia for achieving this new level in our operational excellence system," Perez said.

Pastor Geoffrey Mbwana, Interim Executive Director of the ADRA Africa Regional Office, described the achievement as a demonstration of institutional commitment.

"It's hard work, but it's good work, and Zambia is leading the way on the continent of Africa," Mbwana said. He encouraged ADRA Zambia to maintain the standards associated with its licence, protect the ADRA name, and continue advancing the agency's mission.

ADRA Zambia Country Director Kennedy Habasimbi said the achievement reflected measurable improvement in how the office operates.

"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," Habasimbi said. "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 follows sustained work to strengthen ADRA Zambia's internal systems, accountability mechanisms, and compliance, and positions the office as a reference point for other ADRA offices across Africa working through their own institutional strengthening.

The ceremony was also attended by ADRA Africa Regional Office representatives, including Chief Financial Officer Dibden Chileya, Emergency Management Director Hannah Ndungu, and Emergency and Programs Coordinator Prisca Chileya.