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CHANGING THE WORLD

Working with the people of Zambia to build a resilient and diversified economy

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Four diverse individuals engaged in technology and agriculture, smiling with a drone, bananas, and a laptop.

“Embracing Resilience, Accelerating Progress” - UNDP Zambia 2024 Annual Report is here!

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Zambia Hails Gender-Responsive Peacekeeping Facilities as Key Step Toward Women’s Inclusion and Leadership in Peace-Keeping Operations

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Fighting Climate Change, One Seedling at a Time

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A picture of the President of Zambia smiling in a green vest stands at a podium with microphones in a conference setting.

President of Zambia, Hichilema Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Empowerment at Fourth Youth Indaba

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Latest news

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Press Release
Shining a Light on Zambia’s Future: Cooma Solar Power Project Breaks Ground with UNDP Support

In a key step toward strengthening Zambia’s energy resilience, construction has officially begun on the Cooma Solar Project. Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the 60 MW solar facility will provide clean, renewable electricity to over 65,000 households and businesses.

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news
Zambia Police Service Launches First-Ever Communications Strategy to Enhance Transparency and Public Trust

The Zambia Police Service has taken a historic step towards strengthening public engagement, transparency and trust with the official launch of its first-ever Communications Strategy.

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Stories
Breaking Barriers: Women in Uniform on the Frontlines of Peace Keeping Operations

In the heart of conflict zones, where the echoes of war often drown out hope, Zambian women police officers are rewriting the narrative.

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blog
Digital Mobile Wallets (DMW) as a Catalyst for Financial Inclusion?

The use of DMW today has taken over the financial landscape, enhancing accessibility and convenience in the exchange of goods and services, as well as carrying out other financial transactions. Learn more

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What we do

UNDP works with the Government and people of Zambia to achieve the vision 2030 , the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the implementation of Government's development plans. Our work in the country, is guided corporately by the UNDP Strategic Plan, the United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework and our Country Programme Document (CPD). We are structured around four distinct and yet interlinked programmatic areas; environment and energy, governance and gender, inclusive growth and SDGs; and health systems strengthening for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Stories

stories

Saving Against Climate Shocks

It’s a bright and sunny Monday morning in Manangwonzi. Polite Masaka, a passionate farmer and fiercely loving grandmother tends to her farm with her grandson, Bright perched on her hip. She’s up earlier than usual because she has an unmissable appointment at the community center. She’s heading to the biweekly meeting of the Manangwonzi Savings Group, a gathering she never misses. In just six months as a member, Polite has seen her life change in ways she never imagined. As the group’s secretary, Polite is known for her cheerful and enthusiastic spirit. She brings a sense of joy to each session. But do not let that fool you, she has a no-nonsense attitude during the meetings. If you so much as whisper, distracting someone else from the meeting proceedings, she’ll quickly kneel in front of you, notebook extended, ready to issue a strict Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) 2 fine for causing a distraction. “This one hour is serious business,” she says, flashing a warm smile. It definitely is serious business. The Manangwonzi Savings Group operates on a simple but powerful mechanism: members pool their money, lend it out with interest, and reinvest the earnings into joint and individual projects. A share costs just ZMW 20, but over time, the savings and interest grow substantially. Polite herself has saved ZMW 1,360 and received ZMW 12,900, including interest, during the last share-out.

stories
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Zambia at a Glance

19.6

million

There are approximately 19.6 million people in Zambia

0.540

GII (2022)

Zambia's Gender Inequality Index (2022) is 0.540 — positioning the country as 138 out of 190 countries and territories

0.565

HDI (2021)

Zambia’s HDI value for 2021 is 0.565 — which put the country in the medium human development category—positioning it at 154 out of 191 countries and territories.

63.9

years

Life expectancy at birth

36.7

Percent

population between 15 - 35 years old

2,615

(2017 PPP $)

estimated Gross National Income Per Capita in 2021

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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The Sustainable Development Goals
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