Human Rights Champion and Democracy Specialist, Ngande Mwanajiti, has described the increment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a major step towards strengthening local government structures and deepening citizen participation.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Mwanajiti, who is also a governance expert, further observes that while the expanded CDF places additional pressure on the national budget, it also creates an opportunity for communities to take a more active role in local development.
“From an economic point of view, the treasury has already made a dedication to release these funds. The responsibility now lies with communities to ensure that the resources generate tangible benefits,” he said.
He further noted that for Members of Parliament and their constituencies, the increment in CDF is expected to improve access to government facilities and services at grassroots level.
Mr Mwananjiti, however, cautioned that challenges now remain with ensuring equitable participation and accountability in the use of the funds.
He stressed that the CDF increment is central to Zambia’s decentralisation agenda, which seeks to give citizens a stronger voice in shaping development priorities.
“CDF is about government for the people and by the people. It is now up to communities to make it work, deal with challenges constructively, and ensure a win-win outcome for both citizens and the nation,” he added.
Government has increased the Constituency Development Fund from K36.1 Million in 2025 to K40 Million per constituency in the 2026 national budget.
