Government Pushes for Nationwide Housing Development

The government has set a clear agenda to increase the supply of affordable housing across all income levels, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi has said.

Speaking at the opening of the Zambia National Building Society's new head office in Lusaka, Mr Milupi, representing Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, said the ministry is committed to promoting inclusive, well-planned and sustainable urban development. Central to this vision is improving access to innovative housing finance solutions to make home ownership more attainable for ordinary Zambians.

The minister acknowledged that addressing the country's long-standing housing deficit will require a coordinated approach and substantial financing. Rapid urbanisation, population growth, and rising costs of land and construction materials have together driven a shortfall that has persisted for decades. To meet the challenge, government and the private sector are actively working together to identify and implement solutions that can deliver affordable housing at scale.

The Public-Private Dialogue Forum is among the platforms taking concrete steps to improve housing conditions, bringing together stakeholders to align investment, policy and delivery.

Mr Milupi used the occasion to highlight the strong financial performance of the Zambia National Building Society, which declared total dividend payments amounting to 80.3 million Kwacha between 2020 and 2025. The minister said the ministry would continue to support institutions demonstrating this level of institutional strength and delivery under mandate.

He also pointed to the broader improvement in Zambia's business environment, noting that the economy has grown significantly and that the country has established itself as an increasingly attractive destination for investment.

"Our economy has tremendously improved," Mr Milupi said. "Our country has become an attractive investment destination."