The Zambian Government has announced a remarkable increase in revenue collected by the Lusaka City Council, describing it as a clear indication that digital transformation is improving public service delivery and financial management. According to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the council’s revenue from selected services rose dramatically from just K61,000 in January 2026 to K13.9 million in June 2026. Government officials say the impressive growth followed the rollout of the e-Council digitisation programme and the migration of council services onto the Government Service Bus. The development is being viewed as an important milestone in the country’s efforts to modernise local government operations and improve accountability. Authorities believe the results demonstrate the potential of digital systems to strengthen revenue collection while making services more accessible to citizens.
Speaking during a media briefing, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Administration Dr. Gabriel Pollen attributed the sharp increase in revenue to the successful implementation of the e-Council programme. He explained that before the digital platform was introduced, revenue collection from the seven services now available on the Government Service Bus was extremely low. In January, the Lusaka City Council collected only K61,000 from those services. Revenue then increased to K627,000 in February before declining to K398,000 in March and K258,000 in April. However, after the services were fully onboarded onto the Government Service Bus in May, collections increased significantly, eventually reaching K13.9 million in June.
Dr. Pollen said the improvement reflects the benefits of embracing technology in local government administration. Digital platforms reduce manual processes, improve transparency and make it easier for residents and businesses to access council services. The e-Council programme also helps eliminate many of the inefficiencies that previously affected revenue collection. By allowing payments and services to be processed electronically, the system creates a more reliable and accountable way of managing public funds. Government believes that similar improvements can be achieved by other local authorities as the programme continues to expand across the country.
The Permanent Secretary also stressed that technology alone is not enough to guarantee better service delivery. He directed all local authorities implementing the e-Council system to establish customer help desks that will assist members of the public with accessing digital services. According to Dr. Pollen, providing guidance and support will ensure that residents can use the new platform without unnecessary challenges. He further instructed councils to keep the system simple, efficient and user-friendly so that people of different backgrounds and levels of digital literacy can benefit. Making digital services accessible to everyone remains a key priority as the Government continues its digital transformation agenda.
The Government views the e-Council programme as an important tool for improving governance at the local level. Efficient revenue collection enables councils to generate more resources that can be invested in essential public services and infrastructure. Increased revenue can support projects such as road maintenance, waste management, public health initiatives and community development programmes. Reliable digital records also strengthen financial oversight by providing accurate information on transactions and collections. This helps improve accountability and builds greater public confidence in the management of local government finances.
The migration of council services onto the Government Service Bus forms part of Zambia’s broader strategy to modernise public administration through digital innovation. Integrating services into a single platform simplifies interactions between citizens and government institutions while reducing paperwork and administrative delays. Digital systems also minimise opportunities for errors and improve the speed at which services are delivered. As more councils adopt similar technologies, the Government expects greater efficiency, improved compliance and stronger financial performance across local authorities. Officials believe these reforms will contribute to more responsive and transparent public institutions.
The significant increase in Lusaka City Council’s revenue demonstrates how digital transformation can produce measurable results within a relatively short period. While the dramatic improvement reflects the success of the e-Council programme, Government acknowledges that continued investment in technology, staff training and customer support will be necessary to sustain the gains achieved so far. Authorities are encouraging other councils to embrace digital systems and adopt best practices that improve service delivery and financial management. The experience of the Lusaka City Council provides an example of how innovation can strengthen local governance and increase public sector efficiency. As Zambia continues its digital transformation journey, initiatives such as the e-Council programme are expected to play an increasingly important role in improving government services and supporting national development.