Zambia Boosts Social Protection Funding

Zambia has been commended for increasing social protection funding from 2.4 percent in 2020 to 6.2 percent in 2026.

Permanent Secretary for Social Welfare and Child Development Angela Kawandami attributed the increase to fiscal reforms and efforts to protect vulnerable households from poverty, the effects of COVID-19 and recurring droughts.

Ms Kawandami was speaking at the Inter-Regional Meeting on Strengthening Inclusive, Sustainable and Shock-Responsive Social Protection in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

The meeting has brought together member states and development partners to discuss sustainable financing and ways to strengthen social protection systems for vulnerable populations.