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The United Kingdom has pledged £38.5 million (approximately K1.1 billion) over the next six years to support Zambia’s social protection and systems strengthening initiatives.
The renewed commitment was announced by UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chris Elmore.
This was made during a bilateral meeting with Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Doreen Mwamba, on the sidelines of the Second World Social Summit for Development in Doha.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Principal Public Relations Officer, Glenda Nachinga, the UK’s investment underscored its confidence in Zambia’s ongoing social protection reforms and the government’s efforts to promote poverty reduction, inclusion, and resilience among vulnerable households — with the goal of ensuring that no one is left behind.
According to the Ministry of Community Development, the funds would focus on system strengthening, livelihoods integration, and climate resilience.
The support would also advance the implementation of the “Cash Plus” approach, designed to provide vulnerable families with a holistic package of assistance to help them escape the cycle of poverty.
The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between Zambia and the United Kingdom, with both governments committing to sustain structured and regular engagement through established bilateral frameworks.
Discussions also covered key reform areas, including the digitalisation of the national social registry, the integration of livelihoods, nutrition, and climate resilience into the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme, and enhancing the system’s capacity to respond to economic and climate shocks.
In addition, the two ministers explored collaboration in youth employment and empowerment, disability inclusion, child protection, and gender equality — with an emphasis on promoting women’s economic participation.
“The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services will now work closely with the FCDO’s Zambia Country Office to operationalise the new cooperation framework and align implementation with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and the country’s Social Protection Policy priorities,” Nachinga said.
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