- Representatives from Government Ministries and Local Authorities;
- Chapter President of Transparency International Zambia
- Representatives from other Cooperating Partners;
- Representatives from Civil Society Organisations;
- Members of the Media, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great honour for me to speak today on behalf of the GIZ EnACT Project at this launch of the decentralisation portal called “Local Lens” and the Pilot Assessment of Selected Districts on the Implementation of the 2023 National Decentralisation Policy, led by Transparency International Zambia.
Decentralisation has long been recognised as a policy priority for Zambia, dating as far back as the 1980s. However, it is only in recent years that we have seen this priority really transition into concrete political and institutional commitment.
In 2015, Zambia ratified the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development. In 2016, decentralisation was formally embedded in the country’s supreme law through the Constitutional Amendment Act. In 2023, the Government of the Republic of Zambia adopted a comprehensive National Decentralisation Policy, outlining a renewed roadmap for devolving power and responsibilities to the local level, with clear objectives, timelines, and performance indicators.
These commitments are not merely rhetorical. They have been backed by action. Since 2022, we have witnessed an almost fifteen-fold increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This is not a minor adjustment – it is a transformative shift. It provides unprecedented opportunities for Ward Development Committees, local councils, and communities at large to identify their own priorities, plan responses to developmental needs, and directly participate in shaping local development outcomes.
This is the essence of decentralisation: bringing government closer to the people. When governance becomes more local, it becomes more accessible. And when it is accessible, it becomes more accountable. It also allows citizens to participate by sharing their perspectives, monitor implementation, and engage directly with duty bearers.
Decentralisation has for long been one of the main focus areas of GIZ’s broader work in Zambia, particularly through the Decentralisation for Development (D4D) programme.
The EnACT project, commissioned by the German Government and the European Union (EU), is therefore proud to have supported this initiative by Transparency International Zambia. We see the decentralisation portal and accompanying study as vital tools to make participation more visible, more strategic, and more impactful.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The 2023 National Decentralisation Policy offers a solid foundation to deepen public participation and bring development decisions closer to communities. The government has taken the right first steps. What is now essential is to translate this framework into tangible outcomes. That means regular monitoring, open dialogue, and adapting where challenges arise.
As EnACT, we welcome the findings of the TI-Z study, and we are encouraged by the practical functionality of the portal being launched today. This is not just a data tool – it is an empowerment tool. And we look forward to seeing how Zambians across all sectors – civil society, media, academia, and government – can use the insights from the assessment to enhance transparency and responsiveness in local governance.
In closing, let me express GIZ’s appreciation for the collaboration with TI-Z and the broader reform community in Zambia. True decentralisation is a long journey. It requires sustained commitment, openness to learning, and continued partnership across sectors. But if we remain focused on empowering citizens and strengthening institutions, the gains for Zambia’s development will be profound.
Thank you
