Zambia targets 2 million social cash transfer beneficiaries by 2030 to tackle poverty, hunger

Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing poverty and hunger through its Social Cash Transfer Programme by accelerating the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1 (no poverty) and 2(zero hunger) by 2030.

On the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Spain, Ministry of Community Development Secretary Angela Kawandami highlighted efforts being made to ensure Zambia reduces extreme poverty by 2030.

She disclosed that under the Sprint 2030 initiative, the country aims to expand the Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries from the current 1.3 to 2 million.

The programme is being enhanced through a Cash-Plus approach, combining cash aid with nutrition education, healthcare, livelihood training, and financial support.

“Backed by partners like the World Bank and UNICEF, this integrated strategy aims to build ‘self-reliant and resilient’ communities,” Kawandami said.

She stated that to scale up, Zambia was seeking sustainable international funding, technical assistance, and peer collaboration.

Kawandami said a Pre-Implementation Plan had been developed to guide the expansion, aligning with national goals on social protection, nutrition, and climate resilience.

The Permanent Secretary who met various officials, among them the President of the Inter- American Development Bank, Ilan Goldgajin, on the sidelines of the conference discussed various issues surrounding Zambias social protection landscape.

“FFD4, a high-level UN conference, brings together global leaders to assess progress on financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” she said.

The conference co-hosted by Spain and Brazil aims to mobilize public and private finance, reform global financial systems, and foster inclusive economic cooperation to achieve the SDGs.

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