EU Grants K241.2 Million To Zambia To Support Covid-19 Response

The European Union (EU) has granted Zambia €12 million or K241.2 million to help in the country’s immediate response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

According to the EU’s Head of Delegation to Zambia, Dr Jacek Jankowski, an initial €2 million grant will be made to Zambia under the EU Global Initiative for Covid-19, to help purchase essential medicines and equipment. 

This will then be followed by a €10 million grant through the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), which will be aimed at strengthening Zambia’s health systems and addressing the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Finance Minister Dr Bwalya Ng’andu thanked Dr Jankowski for the EU’s support, as well as the EU’s advice on improving debt sustainability and restoring key sectors such as energy in order to increase direct foreign investment. 

Dr Jankowski has called on the Zambian government to uphold the rights of its citizens and to maintain the highest standards of accountability in implementing the Covid-19 response. He also advised the government to pursue economic reforms in a “coherent and consistent manner”. 

Meanwhile, the Swedish government has also increased the resources available to Zambia under the Sweden-Zambia Development Cooperation fund, with a grant of K230 million available for health programmes, nutritional programmes, and social cash transfer. 

Sweden has also extended direct support for Zambia’s Covid-19 multi-sector plan, with a a grant of K57.4 million. 

The contributions from Sweden and the EU join those of other donor nations including the UK, USA, Germany, as well as those from the African Development Bank and World Bank. 

Dr Ng’andu has instructed all ministries to exhibit utmost scrutiny in handling these bequests, warning that “Should there be any wanton shortcomings, directorates of finance and audit units will be held accountable”.