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Though findings of the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP) Mid-Term Evaluation by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning has highlighted that Zambia had recorded progress in governance reforms, education, healthcare and macroeconomic stability, government admits that it faces jobs and financing gaps.
The 8NDP Mid-Term evaluation also acknowledged that significant challenges persisted, particularly in accelerating economic transformation and job creation.
Ministry of Finance and National Planning representative, Tionge Nambeya, highlighted this during the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) 2 days consultative process on the 9NDP, formulation process of the National Civil Society Organisations Consultative Meeting in Lusaka on Thursday.
The evaluation also acknowledged challenges such as strengthening climate resilience, improving implementation capacity and mobilising adequate financing to deliver development priorities
Under the evaluation, Nambeya highlightede achievements which included expanded access to education through the Free Education Policy, and increased recruitment of teachers and health workers.
Additionally, strengthened social protection programmes, improved governance systems and continued efforts to restore economic stability.
“Financing constraints remained one of the biggest impediments to implementation, with only a fraction of the planned development budget released during the mid-term period of the 8NDP,” she said.
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The consultations are intended to gather and consolidate national level CSO submissions on the 9NDP and the process comes after provincial level consultations that were conducted on 10th July in Solwezi, and Katete districts.
The national level consultations have brought together representation from the Ministry, CSOs, and other stakeholders to reflect on the implementation of the 8NDP and contribute to the formulation of Zambia’s next five-year national development blueprint.
The programme commenced with presentations outlining the objectives of the consultation and the roadmap for developing the 9NDP, setting the stage for meaningful engagement between Government and civil society.
Building on the presentations, participants engaged in plenary discussions and thematic group sessions, where they reflected on the performance of the 8NDP and identified key national development challenges, emerging issues and priority outcomes that should inform the 9NDP.
Deliberations emphasised the need for stronger alignment between national priorities and budget allocations, enhanced domestic resource mobilisation, climate-responsive planning, improved monitoring and accountability, inclusive governance, and policies that respond to the realities facing communities across the country.
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