ZAMBIA is on the verge of an important transformation.
The delimitation of constituencies, combined with the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF), is set to drive bottom‑up growth and redefine how development reaches communities across the nation.
For years, some constituencies have been too large to manage effectively.
As Kantanshi Member of Parliament Anthony Mumba has pointed out, areas such as Kasama and Kanyama are so large that many communities within them remain underdeveloped. When constituencies are too big, resources are spread too thin, and representation becomes diluted. People in smaller, less populated constituencies often enjoy better access to services, while those in larger ones are left behind.
This is where delimitation comes in. Dividing these large constituencies into smaller, more manageable ones will enable Government to ensure that every area has equal access to resources and development.
With the enactment of Act No. 13, new constituencies will be created, giving communities a fairer share of national resources. Mr Mumba explains that services such as water, electricity, education, and healthcare should not be enjoyed by a few, but should be available everywhere.
Delimitation is not a political exercise; it is about fairness and economic growth.
Mbabala Member of Parliament Joseph Munsanje adds that delimitation will also allow for the creation of new districts. This will improve efficiency in service delivery, as Government offices and services will be closer to the people. Development will no longer be delayed by distance or by the overwhelming size of constituencies. Instead, it will reach communities faster and more effectively.
The dramatic increase in Constituency Development Fund under the New Dawn administration will accelerate the rate at which these constituencies develop.
In just four years, CDF has grown from K1.6 million in 2021 to K40 million per constituency today. This is not a small change – it is a game-changer. Zambia United Local Authorities and Allied Workers Union (ZULAAWU) has praised President Hakainde Hichilema and his government for putting grassroots development at the centre of national priorities.
The impact of the enhanced CDF is already visible.
Communities across the country are building schools, health facilities, feeder roads, and water systems. Women, youth, and persons with disabilities are benefitting from empowerment programmes funded through CDF. This is real transformation happening at the local level, where it matters most. As ZULAAWU president Emmanuel Mwinsa has said, this administration will go down in history as one that truly cared for its people, especially the vulnerable.
The combination of delimitation and increased CDF is powerful. Smaller constituencies will mean that resources are distributed more fairly, while larger funds will ensure that local priorities are met. Together, these initiatives will bring development closer to the people, strengthen democracy, and promote economic growth.
Of course, transparency and accountability are important in the implementation of both programmes. These reforms will not only improve service delivery but also build trust between citizens and Government.
The benefits are clear. With delimitation, every community will have a stronger voice in Parliament. With increased CDF, every constituency will have the resources to meet its needs. Together, they will ensure that development is not concentrated in a few areas, but spread evenly across the country.
This is the kind of reform that builds lasting peace and prosperity. When people see that their communities are being developed – when they have access to schools, clinics, clean water, and roads – they feel included in the nation’s progress. They gain confidence in their leaders and in the democratic process.
Zambia is showing that development does not have to be top-down. It can be grassroots-driven, with communities deciding what they need and receiving the resources to make it happen. This is the promise of decentralisation, and it is being realised through delimitation and enhanced CDF.
Delimitation bringing development closer
ZAMBIA is on the verge of an important transformation.
The delimitation of constituencies, combined with the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF), is set to drive bottom‑up growth and redefine how development reaches communities across the nation.
For years, some constituencies have been too large to manage effectively.
As Kantanshi Member of Parliament Anthony Mumba has pointed out, areas such as Kasama and Kanyama are so large that many communities within them remain underdeveloped. When constituencies are too big, resources are spread too thin, and representation becomes diluted. People in smaller, less populated constituencies often enjoy better access to services, while those in larger ones are left behind.
This is where delimitation comes in. Dividing these large constituencies into smaller, more manageable ones will enable Government to ensure that every area has equal access to resources and development.
With the enactment of Act No. 13, new constituencies will be created, giving communities a fairer share of national resources. Mr Mumba explains that services such as water, electricity, education, and healthcare should not be enjoyed by a few, but should be available everywhere.
Delimitation is not a political exercise; it is about fairness and economic growth.
Mbabala Member of Parliament Joseph Munsanje adds that delimitation will also allow for the creation of new districts. This will improve efficiency in service delivery, as Government offices and services will be closer to the people. Development will no longer be delayed by distance or by the overwhelming size of constituencies. Instead, it will reach communities faster and more effectively.
The dramatic increase in Constituency Development Fund under the New Dawn administration will accelerate the rate at which these constituencies develop.
In just four years, CDF has grown from K1.6 million in 2021 to K40 million per constituency today. This is not a small change – it is a game-changer. Zambia United Local Authorities and Allied Workers Union (ZULAAWU) has praised President Hakainde Hichilema and his government for putting grassroots development at the centre of national priorities.
The impact of the enhanced CDF is already visible.
Communities across the country are building schools, health facilities, feeder roads, and water systems. Women, youth, and persons with disabilities are benefitting from empowerment programmes funded through CDF. This is real transformation happening at the local level, where it matters most. As ZULAAWU president Emmanuel Mwinsa has said, this administration will go down in history as one that truly cared for its people, especially the vulnerable.
The combination of delimitation and increased CDF is powerful. Smaller constituencies will mean that resources are distributed more fairly, while larger funds will ensure that local priorities are met. Together, these initiatives will bring development closer to the people, strengthen democracy, and promote economic growth.
Of course, transparency and accountability are important in the implementation of both programmes. These reforms will not only improve service delivery but also build trust between citizens and Government.
The benefits are clear. With delimitation, every community will have a stronger voice in Parliament. With increased CDF, every constituency will have the resources to meet its needs. Together, they will ensure that development is not concentrated in a few areas, but spread evenly across the country.
This is the kind of reform that builds lasting peace and prosperity. When people see that their communities are being developed – when they have access to schools, clinics, clean water, and roads – they feel included in the nation’s progress. They gain confidence in their leaders and in the democratic process.
Zambia is showing that development does not have to be top-down. It can be grassroots-driven, with communities deciding what they need and receiving the resources to make it happen. This is the promise of decentralisation, and it is being realised through delimitation and enhanced CDF.