The European Union (EU) has committed to contribute €110 million to Zambia through three programmes namely health and education, green energy and food security.
This has come to light during a mission to Lusaka by European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, joined by a delegation from the European Parliament.
Commissioner Urpilainen launched a range of programmes alongside Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane.
Under Global Gateway, the EU’s positive offer to build sustainable and trusted connections with partner countries, these programmes will advance Zambia’s education and health systems and green energy, additionally supporting food security.
With a €60 million allocation, the EU will resume budget support to Zambia’s government following its economic reforms.
The decision to resume Budget Support operations in Zambia after a period of 9 years comes in a context where the new United Party for National Development (UPND) Government led by President Hakainde Hichilema has shown, after a peaceful transition of power, a very strong commitment to democratic, economic and social reforms focused on the Zambian people and their welfare, states EU Junior Professional in the Political, Press and Information Section, Beatrice Zettergren.
Support to the education sector aims to improve access, quality, equity and inclusiveness in primary and secondary education.
Zettergren says that similarly, in the health sector, budget support will assist Zambia in addressing barriers to public health and in realising the country’s pharmaceutical ambitions.
“This grant comes in addition to the initial €299 million allocation to Zambia’s Multiannual Indicative Programming (2021-2024),” said Zettergren.
Under the energy segment, the EU will contribute €30 million to the rehabilitation works of the Kariba Dam, a key infrastructure providing clean energy to both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
She added that this allocation comes in addition to an ongoing €83.5 million financial commitment for the dam.
To respond to the food security crisis and economic shock in Zambia following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Zettergren said, the EU is contributing an additional €20 million to support smallholder farmers in Zambia.
“This is in addition to the €12.4 million allocation to the “Sustainable Intensification of smallholder farming systems in Zambia” programme, which assists in increasing small farmers’ productivity, opportunities and gender equality,” she said.
In addition, following bilateral talks between the Government of Zambia and the European Union, Commissioner Urpilainen and Minister Musokotwane announced the intention to launch negotiations to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for establishing a bilateral Strategic Partnership on sustainable Critical Raw Materials value chains.
