Treasury Releases K14.6 Billion in September

A further 625.1 million kwacha was allocated to external debt servicing, while 674.2 million kwacha was released to clear domestic arrears owed to suppliers and contractors.

The Treasury says clearing these arrears, some of which have been outstanding for more than five years, is helping to ease financial pressure on affected businesses.

Meanwhile, 1.8 billion kwacha was released for transfers, subsidies and social benefits to support vulnerable households, public institutions and local authorities.

Of this amount, 857 million kwacha went to grant-aided institutions, including hospitals and universities, to sustain their operations and ensure continuity of services.

The Social Cash Transfer Programme received 435.8 million kwacha to provide financial assistance to vulnerable households, while 200 million kwacha was allocated to the Food Security Pack Programme to support food security interventions.

Local authorities also received 120.8 million kwacha through the Local Authorities Equalisation Fund to strengthen their capacity to provide essential services.

The Treasury further released 1.5 billion kwacha for Government programmes and general operations across ministries, provinces and agencies.

This included 441.2 million kwacha for general operations, 101.1 million kwacha for expenditure related to the 2026 General Elections and 64.4 million kwacha for the ongoing Geological Mapping Exercise.

On infrastructure, 526.9 million kwacha was released for capital expenditure, with 459.9 million kwacha allocated to road infrastructure and 67 million kwacha directed towards infrastructure projects in various ministries.

The Ministry says the investments are intended to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and strengthen communities’ access to markets and essential services.

Meanwhile, Finance and National Planning Minister SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE says consultations on the 2027 National Budget and the 2027–2029 Medium-Term Budget Plan have been completed.

Dr. MUSOKOTWANE says submissions from ministries and members of the public are expected to inform spending priorities, accountability and value for money in the next budget.

He says detailed revenue and expenditure measures for 2027 will be announced when the National Budget is presented to Parliament.

Dr. MUSOKOTWANE also says the restoration of excise duty on fuel is intended to ease fiscal pressures arising from the war in the Middle East and help sustain funding for free education, school feeding and the Social Cash Transfer Programme.

In a statement issued to ZNBC News in Lusaka, the Minister said the Treasury will continue to strengthen domestic revenue collection and maintain fiscal discipline to sustain public expenditure.

The Ministry says the overall objective is to translate fiscal discipline into improved schools and hospitals, reliable public services, better infrastructure, stronger social protection and increased employment opportunities.