Zambia

Sixty percent of Zambia’s 13.2 million people (2010) live in poverty. Inequality is very high and on current trends it will take until 2073 to reduce poverty to 15%. Weak transmission of Zambia’s strong growth to poverty is the central challenge. DFID’s programme includes improving the Government of Zambia’s policies, systems and skills, enabling Zambia to increase its tax take and use its resources to deliver better services. DFID also works to directly address the most off track MDGs, including extreme poverty, gender, maternal mortality, sanitation and hygiene. DFID is also developing a programme to remove the barriers to wealth creation and investment, to create a sustainable future beyond aid. DFID is working with the government and other donors to empower girls and women, in order to make growth more inclusive and tackle inequality. DFID is replacing general budget support with sector budget support for education and targeted financial aid.

Top priorities

• addressing the most off track MDGs
• removing barriers to economic development
• improving the position of poor women and girls

Further resources

DFID Operational Plan for Zambia
Zambia page on GOV.UK website