- Govt prioritises debt servicing, social protection, public service delivery
CHOMBA MUSIKA
Lusaka
GOVERNMENT says it will maintain fiscal discipline as it prepares the 2027 national budget, with spending commitments focused on delivering tangible improvements in citizens’ welfare.
And the Treasury released K14.6 billion in September 2026 to support public service delivery, meet debt obligations, protect vulnerable households and finance priority development programmes countrywide.
Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane said credible budgeting requires reliable revenue inflows, disciplined expenditure, sustainable debt management and stronger domestic revenue mobilisation.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the office of the Secretary to the Treasury.
Dr Musokotwane said it is expected that stronger fiscal discipline will translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives through better schools and hospitals, plus reliable public services.
Others include improved infrastructure, stronger social protection, greater employment opportunities, and rising household incomes across Zambia.
Dr Musokotwane said sustaining budget credibility requires reliable revenue inflows.
“The excise duty on fuel has been restored to help ease fiscal pressures arising from the war in the Middle East.
“As outlined in the presidential address to Parliament, the restoration will help to sustain funding for free education, school feeding and Social Cash Transfer, among others,” the minister said.
Dr Musokotwane also said public submissions on the 2027–2029 medium-term budget plan and the 2027 national budget have closed.
The minister said Government will analyse the proposals to strengthen expenditure prioritisation, accountability and value for money.
“The 2026 budget remains under implementation. The detailed revenue and expenditure measures for 2027 will only be announced when the 2027 national budget is presented to Parliament.”
The Treasury’s September releases included K857 million for grant-aided institutions, including hospitals and universities, to support their operations and ensure continuity of services.
A further K435.8 million was allocated to the Social Cash Transfer programme to support vulnerable households, while K200 million went towards the Food Security Pack programme.
The Treasury also released K120.8 million to the Local Authorities Equalisation Fund to strengthen councils’ capacity to provide essential services.
In line with Government’s debt management commitments, K5.4 billion was released towards debt servicing and outstanding domestic obligations.
Of this amount, K4.1 billion went to domestic debt servicing, K625.1 million was allocated to external debt servicing and K674.2 million was used to clear domestic arrears. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home