While the government continues to praise the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a game changer, especially for rural communities, and increasing its funding year after year, critics argue that those resources could be directed elsewhere.
In his just-presented national budget for 2025, the Minister of Finance Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane announced an 18% hike in CDF budgetary allocation. Each of Zambia’s 156 constituencies will receive K36.1 million (US$1.4 million) from K30.6 million in 2024.
Since its first budget in 2022, the UPND government has expanded the scope of and funding to CDF, positioning it as the prime tool for a devolved governance system where decision-making is taken closer to the people and away from the central government.
However, not everyone is charmed, with many arguing that with the energy crisis continuing to cripple Zambia’s economy and no short-term measures are in sight, the money being taken to CDF could be better channeled to importing electricity or funding other initiatives to quickly bring electricity to people.
These arguments are being fueled by reports of underutilized CDF allocations from year to year and even alleged misappropriation. Others brand the proponents of reduced CDF funding as entitled urbanites.
Sampling citizens’ views shared on various social media sites shows that views on the efficacy of CDF and the justification to keep increasing the funding are at polar opposites.
“CDF has been underutilized and increasing it makes no sense. We can clearly see that the projects being done are not matching the budget,” said one.
Another added, “A lot has to be addressed in terms of underutilization and accountability before the increment.”
Those in support of the enhanced CDF funding contend that advancing the argument of underutilization is insufficient as a ground to halt or reduce the allocation. “Like any other new policy, the increased CDF will face bottlenecks, ranging from bureaucracy to corruption and thefts, the bottom line is that it’s transforming livelihoods in rural Zambia,” one proponent posited.
Musokotwane, in his budget presentation: “The enhanced CDF has proved to be a game changer. It is improving infrastructure, providing employment and income opportunities for many of our citizens, especially in rural areas.”
“The good news is that CDF has increased by K5.5 million per constituency. Of this increased amount, K3.3 million is earmarked for treating feeder roads. This is in view of the Government’s realization that while constituencies have bought road-making equipment, they are struggling to raise funds to buy fuel. It is imperative, therefore, that these funds are specifically reserved for this purpose. Constituencies who have not yet bought their equipment are encouraged to collaborate with neighboring constituencies who have the machinery.”
He conceded that the implementation of CDF projects remains painfully slow despite “the efforts already made to eliminate red tape and other legal sources of delays.”
He also warned officials involved in the administration of CDF, especially those managing councils, where audit reports have in many cases cited abuse of CDF funds.
“The vices are totally unacceptable and, therefore, it will not take long before the Government takes strong measures against erring officers to bring things in line.”
