Zambia Secures K1.1 Billion UK Partnership for Social Development
The United Kingdom has reinforced its strong partnership with Zambia by reaffirming a substantial commitment of K1.1 billion over the next six years to bolster the country's social protection and system strengthening initiatives.
During a bilateral meeting this week with Zambian Minister of Community Development and Social Services Monica Mwansa at the Second World Social Summit for Development in Doha, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Chris Elmore underscored Britain's confidence in Zambia's progressive social protection reforms.
This significant investment demonstrates the UK's trust in Zambia's commitment to the prioritisation of poverty reduction. The funding will help to implement the Cash Plus Approach, which provides comprehensive support packages to vulnerable households, helping them break the cycle of poverty.
The two Ministers also discussed digitisation of the national social registry and integration of livelihoods, nutrition and climate resilience into the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Programme, to make the system more shock-responsive and climate adaptive.
The Doha meeting highlighted the robust and enduring partnership between Zambia and the United Kingdom, with both nations dedicated to maintaining productive dialogue on critical development priorities. Other key areas of collaboration include youth employment, economic empowerment, and advancing women's economic participation.
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services will work closely with the FCDO Country Office in Zambia to operationalize this new cooperation framework, ensuring seamless coordination with Zambia's Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP). This strategic alignment ensures that international support directly reinforces the government's vision for sustainable and inclusive national development.
This substantial commitment reflects growing international confidence in Zambia's policy direction and the government's proven capacity to deliver transformative social programs that improve citizens' lives.