In 2017, the government of Zambia launched it’s seventh National Development Plan (NDP), running until 2021. Through this plan, the Zambian government aims for the country to become a thriving middle-income nation by 2030 by building on previous NDPs. Here are five development projects in Zambia to know about.

1. Infrastructure is one of the top priority development projects in Zambia, and is upheld in the country’s National Vision 2030. From 2017 to 2021, $8.75 billion will be invested in Zambia’s infrastructure. Some of the funding focuses are $4.7 million in rebuilding railroad transportation, $2.4 million funding the energy sector, $788 million to the airports and $493 million to road funding.
2. Improving health services is a critical element to achieving the Vision 2030. The health services model has been re-engineered to punctuate health promotion, disease prevention and alternative and rehabilitative services in “close-to-client” settings. In 2017, the Ministry of Health, with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Zambia, developed the national eHealth 2017-2021 strategy document.
3. In June 2016, the government of Zambia launched the World Bank-funded project, Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) Project. The $65 million project has the objective to increase livelihood support for women and increasing secondary education for disadvantaged adolescent girls living in extremely poor households in certain districts. According to the World Bank, the aim of the project is “to provide 14,000 girls with secondary school bursaries, and 75,000 women with productivity grants to start small businesses.” A year later, reports show this development project in Zambia has gained roots. So far, the project has paid the tuition fee of 8,669 girls and counting.
4. Poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking have Zambia’s tourism under threat. In May 2016, through the Community Forest Program, USAID funded a canine program that combats wildlife crime first hand. Four handlers and their dogs were funded by USAID for the initial three-month intensive program. USAID has reported that the, “highly trained detection dogs have imprinted on the scent of ammunition, bushmeat, ivory, pangolin and weapons such as rifles.” As of September 2017, 23 suspected poachers have been apprehended thanks to the canines, as well as firearms, ivory and live animals.
5. There has been a paradigm shift in the macroeconomic framework from a sectoral to an integrated development approach. This multisectoral approach aims at dealing with domestic challenges and climate changes, as well as gainful and productive employment. One of the policy’s specific objectives is to create productive job opportunities while improving the country’s competitiveness.

With most of these projects gaining momentum, the outcome for 2021 shouldn’t be a surprise. Development projects in Zambia are not only helping to improve the lives of locals, but also to allow the nation to compete on a global scale.

– Tara Jackson

Photo: Flickr