Priority areas in Zambia

GTZ work in Zambia has the following priority areas:

Support for Decentralization Implementation in Zambia

GTZ supports the Zambian government in implementing the national decentralization strategy of 2004. It intends to bring the state closer to the people. Management and steering competences of key partner institutions will be improved, national mechanisms will be linked with financial allocations to local authorities for improving possibilities of local tax revenues and municipal financial management. Furthermore, selected communities will serve as models for the rest of Zambia showing how appropriate support can bring efficient, transparent and citizen-oriented services.

Governance, state and civil society

Civil society groups are seen as important partners in ensuring people's participation in the development process. Their participation is a prerequisite for sustainable poverty reduction. In Zambian-German bilateral Development Cooperation, civil society groups are traditionally important partners. A relatively new feature is targeted promotion of cooperation between state and civil society through bilateral Development Cooperation.

Reforming the water sector

Zambia initiated a far-reaching reform process in 1994 with the adoption of a new water policy. Considerable progress was made particularly in settlement and water management. The focus was on commercialising urban water supply and sanitation, regulating service providers and promoting a fund for improving water supply and waste water disposal in urban fringe areas. The reform process in water resource management was approached very hesitantly in 2001, and to date has concentrated on creating a new institutional and legal framework.

The water sector in Zambia has been supported for over 20 years by a number of bilateral and multilateral donors. The Federal Republic of Germany is playing a leading role in promoting the process of political decision-making and in investment.

The goal of GTZ’s work in this priority area is to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitary facilities for the rural and urban populations (and particularly the poor and very poor inhabitants). This will also help avoid conflicts over the use of Zambian water resources.