CDF not making impact – ZEHEST
By Tony Nkhoma
UNDERUTILISATION of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in most constituencies has worried the Zambian Empowerment Hub for Entrepreneurship and Skills Training (ZEHEST)
ZEHEST executive director Clarence Muzyamba expressed concern that while government had increased CDF in the 2025 and 2026 national budgets, underutilisation remained an impediment to the delivery of results.
Speaking in an interview with The Mast, Muzyamba said his organisation welcomed the increased allocation of the CDF from K36.1 million to K40 million in the 2026 national budget.
“We, however, express concern over the underutilisation of CDF funds in various constituencies across the country due to a lack of capacity and financial literacy among beneficiaries,” he said.
Muzyamba called for a partnership between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and other key stakeholders, to embark on training CDF beneficiaries.
“To address this challenge, ZEHEST proposes a partnership with the Government of Zambia, specifically the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Finance, to provide mandatory training to all possible CDF beneficiaries in financial and business management skills,” he said.
Muzyamba said the initiative would ensure cooperatives, clubs, and individuals utilised CDF funds effectively and efficiently.
“Mandatory training for CDF beneficiaries on financial and business management is required, and translation and simplification of CDF guidelines into local languages,” he said.
He reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to partner with the government in delivering training and capacity-building programs to CDF beneficiaries for sustainable development.
ENDS
