Government Commits to Budget Transparency

 Speaking on behalf of the government last week in a statement to ZNBC News, Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane reiterated his commitment to ensuring that public services and infrastructure are funded according to their allocations in the February 2025 budget. The minister said this will be achieved through a tightening of internal controls, and a more robust monitoring and evaluation of procurement systems, to guard against waste and exploitation by the private sector.

Dr Musokotwane said that these are necessary measures in order to promote accountably, transparency, and efficiency in government expenditure, and to ensue that taxpayers’ money is spent responsibility, and with good value in return.

14.5 billion Kwacha were allocated for public service delivery in last month’s budget, of which 3.5 billion was earmarked for social benefits, 1.1 billion for capital expenditure, and 2.1 billion to finance the implementation of government programmes and infrastructure projects.

To ensure that this spending is sustainable, a further 2.8 billion Kwacha was set aside for servicing debt.

Dr Musokotwane’s statement illustrated the UPND’s commitment to generous public spending, but in a strictly transparent and affordable fashion. Zambians are already seeing the benefits of new public investment, from healthcare, to education, to energy, but the overall wellbeing of Zambia’s economy will not be jeopardised.