PROGRESS FOR 2026:

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) continues to redefine governance in Zambia. In the 2026 Budget, allocations have risen to K40 million per constituency from the K1.6 million in 2021, bringing the national total to K6.245 billion.

The CDF is not simply a funding source; it represents decentralisation and community-driven development. Citizens directly shape their priorities, whether in classrooms, health facilities, bridges, or youth enterprises. The President has prioritised CDF because it delivers tangible outcomes that citizens can see and feel.

Evidence-led implementation is central to this priority. The Presidential Delivery Unit is working with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to strengthen impact measurement, enhance citizen engagement, and deploy digital systems for CDF management and reporting. The goal is to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely delivery.

Already, thousands of projects have been funded since the CDF’s expansion. But success depends on partnerships. Local authorities must improve oversight, civil society should support monitoring, and communities must take ownership of projects. The private sector also has a role in co-financing youth skills training and community infrastructure.

By linking CDF to the President’s vision of inclusive growth and equity, Zambia is building a governance model that empowers citizens, strengthens service delivery, and ensures that development is achieved constituency by constituency. With improved systems and accountability, the CDF is becoming a symbol of responsive governance.