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zambia devolution support programme

Background to Zambia Devolution support Programme

ZDSP is Government program long-term strategic vision to increasingly shift resources and services delivery responsibilities from the central to local level.

ZAMBIA DEVOLUTION SUPPORT PROGRAMME (ZDSP)

The Zambia Devolution Support Programm is a government initiative to strengthen local authorities in Zambia, a digital signal processing module for modular synthesizers. The Zambia program focuses on improving local governance through financing and capacity building, while the Tiptop Audio device is a hardware unit for audio effects. 

 

Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development conducted a sensitization meeting on the eligibility of acquiring the Annual Basic Capital Grant amounting to $200.000 and the subsequent Performance-based Capital Grant valued at $500.000 under the Zambia Devolution Support Program (ZDSP).

The ZDSP is a USD 210 million funded hybrid Programme that seeks to support the Governments Decentralisation agenda by strengthening the financial and institutional capacities of local authorities in Zambia.

The required minimum conditions for councils to access funds are:

 

  1. Submission of the Annual Financial Statement for the previous year for audit by March 31st of the current year.
  2. No adverse audit opinion/disclaimer of audit opinion from previous audit;
  3. The Council should have the following essential staff in place; Council Secretary, Finance Officer, Procurement Officer, and Planning Officer/ Engineer.
  4. The Council’s Procurement Committee must have reviewed the contracts awarded (prior to their award) in the previous Financial year

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Key program documents

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Key Objectives

Strengthen Local Authorities

  • To build the financial and institutional capacity of local Authorities (LAs) to effectively deliver public services.

Enhance  Service Delivery

  • To improve quality and efficiency of public services at the local level, including public health, community and sports as well as agriculture.

Promote Transparency and Accountability

  • To foster greater openess and responsibility in Local governance through performance based financing and other mechanisms

Increased Citizen Participation

  • To empower citizens to participate in local decision making and development issues

How it works

Funding:

  • The world Bank provides a $210 million credit facility

Performance based Grants

Eligible LAs receive performance based grants and capital grants to supplement existing resources and incentive effective, efficient and transparent service delivery.

 

Transfer of functions

  • The program supports the devolution of functions, responsibilities and resources from central government to the local level.

Capacity Building

  • It includes strengthening local systems in planning, budgeting, procurement, financial management and monitoring and evaluation.

Implementation

  • Management: The program is managed by the Ministry of Local government and Rural development 
  • Timeline: The ZDSP was launched in 2023 and is expected to be complemented by 2027.

Expected impact

  • Improved local Governance: To create a more effective and responsive local governement system.
  • Better public services: To ensure that essential services are delivered effectively to citizens at the local level.
  • Empowered communities: To foster greater community involvement in local development and governance.




chembe town council

Introduction

The Zambia Devolution Support Programme (ZDSP) aims to strengthen the financing, institutional performance, and accountability of local authorities in Zambia Chembe Town Council is implementing a project under the ZDSP funding for 2023. So far thtere are no grievances received pertaining the project.

Progress Update

Chembe Town Council had made significant progress in implementing the project:

  1. Project Identification: The Ablution block project located at customs has been identified as the project for implementation under the ZDSP funding at a cost in excess of K6.6 Million. However, so far, the available funds amount to a total K2.6 million from the 2023 allocation.
  2. Project Site Secured: The project site has been successfully secured, ensuring that the Local Authority has control over the land and can proceed with the project.
  3. Environment Clearance: Clearance has been obtained from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), which is a critical step in ensuring that the project complies with environment regulations.
  4. Architectural drawings have been developed and approved.

Capacity Building:

  • It includes strengthening local systems in planning, budgeting, procurement, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation.

Implementation

  • Management: The program is managed by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD).

Timeline: The ZDSP was launched in 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2027.

Expected Impact

Improved Local Governance: To create a more effective and responsive local government system.

Better Public Services: To ensure that essential services are delivered effectively to citizens at the local level.

Empowered Communities: To foster greater community involvement in local development and governance.





ZDSP- Projects in Chembe

Construction of modern –

Ablution block at custom.

Chembe , Luapula ward.

Project Status:                           Ongoing

Project Type:                             Construction

Project Area:                              Customs

Project Sector:                          Socio-Economic

Project Coordinates:

-11.9677″S 28.7457″E

Current works
The contractor has mobilized on the site
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Before
The current building that is marked for demolition
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Initial building
The building to be demolished
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Initial
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Progress of work January 2026
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Progress as at January 2026
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