The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has received an additional K1,060,713,449.98 from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, which has now been disbursed to all local authorities across Zambia. This latest funding strengthens the government’s ongoing commitment to decentralized development and community empowerment.
Under this disbursement, constituencies will receive between K2.8 million and K4.8 million, depending on the amount of their previous allocations. Constituencies that have already accessed K25 million each from their 2025 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation of K36.1 million will receive K2.8 million, while those with less than K25 million accessed will receive K4.8 million.
With this release, total CDF disbursements for 2025, from January to 15th October, now stand at K4,907,699,601.00. This leaves a balance of K717,371,892.00 from the national allocation of K5,625,071,493.00, representing a 76 percent performance rate for the year.
Speaking during a press briefing, Dr. Gabriel Pollen, Permanent Secretary (Administration) in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, reaffirmed the CDF’s key role in promoting grassroots development and supporting locally identified projects.
“Constituencies across Zambia are benefiting from locally driven initiatives that address priority community needs. We remain committed to ensuring that these funds are effectively utilized to bring visible improvements to people’s lives,” Dr. Pollen said.
He also announced that works under the Cash for Work Programme have been temporarily discontinued to allow for a comprehensive reconfiguration of the initiative. The review will implement a whole-of-government approach, enhancing collaboration between ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to improve coordination and impact.
“This reconfiguration will also prevent double dipping of government resources. We have identified cases where some beneficiaries, already enrolled in other social schemes such as the Social Cash Transfer, were also registered under the Cash for Work Programme. Consolidating data across ministries during this review will eliminate such overlaps,” he explained.
The restructuring aims to ensure the redesigned programme is rolled out to all 116 districts, expanding national coverage and strengthening its contribution to community development.
Dr. Pollen emphasized that the Ministry remains dedicated to the prudent management of public funds and will continue working closely with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to ensure the effective implementation of the Cash for Work Programme once the ongoing reconciliations and structural reforms are completed.