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Zambia released K14.5 billion in February 2026 to support public service delivery, finance social protection and agricultural programmes, meet debt obligations and continue infrastructure implementation across the country, the finance ministry has said.
Of the total amount, K4.4 billion was allocated to the public service wage bill, K3.7 billion to debt service and arrears dismantling, and K3.8 billion to transfers, subsidies and social benefits.
A further K1.9 billion supported the implementation of government programmes and general operations, while K737.1 million was released for capital expenditure.
Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, said the releases reflected government’s commitment to budget credibility through orderly financing of priorities under the 2026 National Budget.
Musokotwane said the releases also demonstrated efforts to balance immediate service-delivery obligations with longer-term economic management objectives, including debt sustainability, multisectoral investment, job creation and the protection of vulnerable households.
He said the monthly release profile should therefore be viewed within the broader annual budget execution framework.
In line with government’s efforts to restore and preserve debt sustainability, K3.7 billion was released toward debt service and other liabilities.
Of this, K2.9 billion went toward domestic debt service, K540.1 million to external debt service and K288.2 million to dismantling domestic arrears.
“These payments should be read as part of Zambia’s wider debt management and restructuring efforts, whose purpose is to strengthen confidence, reduce fiscal pressures over time, and create more room for productive and social spending within a sustainable framework,” he said.
The Treasury also released K3.8 billion for transfers, subsidies and social benefits.
Key allocations included K2.1 billion for the Farmer Input Support Programme, K1.4 billion for the Social Cash Transfer, and K200 million for the Food Security Pack.
“These allocations underscore a clear policy position, which is that, fiscal consolidation is not being pursued at the expense of social protection or food security,” Musokotwane said.
He added that the government was seeking to combine fiscal discipline with targeted support to protect livelihoods and support inclusive growth.
Meanwhile, K1.9 billion was released to support the implementation of various government programmes and general operations across institutions.
“While such expenditures may attract less attention than major flagship projects, they are indispensable to the effective operation of public institutions and to the reliable delivery of services to our fellow citizens,” he said.
On capital expenditure, the Treasury released K737.1 million, including K537.8 million for road infrastructure and K199.3 million for infrastructure development under various ministries.
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“Road connectivity and public infrastructure are not merely construction items, they are productive investments that support commerce, mobility, service delivery, and national integration,” he said.
Musokotwane said capital releases should be interpreted within the context of project sequencing, procurement cycles and fiscal-year cash flow management.
The government also spent K4.4 billion on the public service wage bill, covering costs related to public service workers including health personnel, teachers, security staff and overseas allowances for Zambian diplomats serving abroad.
“Taken together, the February 2026 releases reflect a Government that remains focused on prudent and competent economic management,” Musokotwane stated.
He said the releases demonstrated continued efforts to maintain budget credibility, sustain multisectoral investment, maintain social sector spending, uphold the commitment to debt sustainability and support infrastructure development across the country.
Musokotwane added that the approach was aimed at ensuring sound public finance management ultimately improves citizens’ lives.
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