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CHANGING THE WORLD

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

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Zambia Launches 2025 Human Development Report: Climate Action Key to Safeguarding Development Gains

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A group of people in blue uniforms holding various African flags, smiling together at an event.

Mining for Tomorrow: Africa’s Brightest Innovators Unveiled at timbuktoo MineTech Hub in Zambia

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A smiling person inspects corn plants in a lush green field under a bright sky.

A Classroom Without Walls: Learning through Farmer Field Schools

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Two men, one in a wheelchair, holding green booklets, smiling against a colorful backdrop.

Breaking Barriers: Zambia Unveils Landmark Policy and Guidelines for Disability Inclusion in National Development

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Latest news

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Blog
Turning the Tide: Dialling Back the Threat Multipliers of Climate Change and Variability

Exactly one week ago, Zambia officially launched its 2025 National Human Development Report (NHDR), a bold, data-driven call to action that reframes climate change not as an inevitable crisis but as a catalyst for transformative development.

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An elephant stands in a grassy area while a cyclist passes by in the foreground.
blog
What Happens When the Rains Return?

Going beyond response to disaster prevention and resilience in times of shock.

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Four people collaboratively discussing and reviewing documents at a table.
news
UNDP Youth-Led MSME Empowerment Programme Launched to Boost Entrepreneurial Capacity and Regional Market Access

The United Nations Development Programme in (UNDP) Zambia, in collaboration with Ministry of Youth, Sport and Art, is proud to announce the official launch of the Youth-Led MSME Empowerment Programme, aimed at upskilling the next generation of entrepreneurs across Zambia.

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Press Release
Unlocking Zambia’s ASM Potential: Zambia Unveils the Landmark "Geological and Minerals Development Act of 2025"

Towards Formalising Zambia’s ASM Sector and Boosting Sustainability and Inclusion.

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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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