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The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has reported a marginal decrease in the cost of living for a family of five in Lusaka for September 2025.
According to the latest Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB), the total cost of living declined by K142.19, from K11,432.17 in August to K11,289.98 in September 2025.
JCTR Social and Economic Development Programme Manager, Edward Musosa, said the reduction was primarily driven by a notable fall in the cost of essential non-food items, which recorded a subtotal decrease of K154.69.
He attributed the drop mainly to a K173.32 reduction in the cost of charcoal (180kg), suggesting an improvement in supply or a seasonal easing of demand pressures on this key energy source.
However, Musosa noted that despite the overall decline in the basket’s total cost, the food component registered a slight increase of K12.50, rising from K4,905.44 to K4,917.94.
“This increase was fuelled by sharp spikes in key protein sources. The price of Kapenta (4kg) surged by K147.35, while beef (2kg) and beans (4kg) also recorded significant increases, straining families’ ability to access adequate and balanced nutrition,” he said.
He added that these increases were partly offset by reductions in the prices of other commodities such as vegetables (40kg), which dropped by K220.08, as well as tomatoes (16kg) and rice (4kg).
Musosa said the continued high cost of basic survival — remaining above K11,200 — was a major concern and a challenge to Zambia’s commitment to the Preferential Option for the Poor.
He urged government to ensure that the September decline was sustained and expanded by prioritising the timely and decentralised distribution of subsidised farming inputs such as seed and fertiliser as the rainy season begins.
“This should be complemented by investment in community-level post-harvest storage and silos to reduce losses, stabilise supply, and ensure price consistency,” Musosa said.
He further recommended support for small-scale farmers through access to weather-indexed crop insurance and climate-resilient farming techniques to safeguard livelihoods against unpredictable weather patterns.
Musosa also stressed the need for subsidised clean and affordable energy alternatives to charcoal to reduce household energy costs and protect natural resources, in line with the principle of Stewardship of Creation.
He commended government for maintaining increased transfer values under the drought emergency cash transfer and the planned expansion of Food Security Pack beneficiaries in 2026.
“Government must adopt a long-term plan to expand and index social protection grants such as the Conditional Cash Transfer to the actual cost of the food basket or poverty line. This will ensure that payments retain real value and guard against nutritional poverty,” he added.
Read More: Lusaka cost of living declines slightly, but nutrition gaps persist — Jesuit centre says
Musosa further called for targeted, low-interest working capital facilities for SMEs involved in food processing, transport, and cold-chain logistics, noting that reducing capital costs for these actors would directly translate into lower consumer prices.
He said government should also resolve the design shortcomings that have led to the suspension of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loan component, to allow efficient financing for small businesses.
Additionally, Musosa urged investment in reliable cold-chain infrastructure for peri-urban markets to minimise spoilage, especially for high-value proteins like meat and fish, noting that this would complement the Food Reserve Agency’s advanced maize dryers aimed at reducing post-harvest losses.
“The JCTR calls on government, the private sector, and civil society to work in solidarity to implement these measures and ensure that every Zambian family can live a life consistent with human dignity,” Musosa stated.
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