The Government of Zambia has allocated ZMW20.1b to key sectors of the economy, out of which ZMW8.6b to infrastructure, in its 2017 budget, presented to Parliament on November 11th, 2016.
“[…] in order to ensure that the economic diversification agenda succeeds, the aspect of road connectivity is a critical component that will continue to be addressed.”
For this, ZMW8.6b out of the total amount for economic development will be directed to road infrastructure projects across Zambia.
ZMW3.3b will be spent to pay down arrears owed to suppliers of goods and services.
ZWM2.9b will be allocated to the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP), which involves the distribution of subsidized fertilizer and seed to smallholder farmers. “This program will target one million small scale farmers,” the budget indicates.
ZMW942.5m will be allocated to maintaining strategic food reserves.
ZMW428.5m will be directed to irrigation development to support crop production. ZMW18.3m will be spent to facilitate aquaculture entrepreneurship.
The Government of Zambia will spend ZMW219m for the economic empowerment of Zambians and ZMW20m for enhanced access to credit from the financial sector and SMEs growth.
The Government of Zambia will also spend ZMW114.5m to facilitate rural access to electricity and therefore provide platform for rural development.
ZMW50m will be allocated to conducting a livestock census in order to effectively plan for livestock development interventions.
To promote animal health and prevent transboundary transmission of diseases, Zambia has allocated ZMW30m to construction of dip tanks and ZMW10m to the cordon line.
Zambia Budget 2017
The Government of Zambia has proposed a total expenditure of ZMW64.5b (27.7% of the GDP) in its 2017 budget.
The budget will be financed through domestic revenues (ZMW42.94b), grants from cooperating partners (ZMW2.23b), and debt from domestic and external sources (ZMW19.33b).
ZMW20.1b has been allocated to economic development, while the remaining amount will be spent for health, education, housing and community amenities, public order and safety, and social protection.
