The Zambian Cabinet has approved the 2025 National Budget Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure aimed at aligning the budget with the medium-term strategic goals outlined in the 2025–2027 Medium Term Budget Plan.
Cornelius Mweetwa, the Chief Government spokesperson, in a statement on Thursday, said the budget estimates were developed in line with the Green Paper and took into consideration input from various societal stakeholders.
“The 2025 Budget includes crucial revenue and expenditure measures aimed at growing the economy, despite the fiscal challenges,” Mweetwa said in the statement
The government spokesman stated that the 2025 budget would address the economic challenges posed by drought and the resumption of external debt payments, with the overarching goal of stimulating economic growth.
He also announced that the Minister of Finance and National Planning would present the 2025 National Budget to the National Assembly on Friday, September 27, as required by Article 202 (1) of the Zambian Constitution.
“In addition to the budget, Cabinet also approved, in principle, the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
“This amendment seeks to align the Act with the National Policy on Anti-Corruption and the Constitution, strengthening the legal framework for combating corruption and enhancing corporate governance within the Anti-Corruption Commission,” Mweetwa explained.
“The current Anti-Corruption Act has several gaps in preventing, prosecuting and punishing corruption and that the proposed amendments would address these shortcomings by strengthening penalties and enforcement mechanisms.
“The amendments will also improve public finance management, contributing to the national economic transformation agenda by promoting transparency and accountability in both public and private sectors,” Mweetwa added.