Changing the world

Together, we are supporting the people of Zambia build a resilient and diversified economy

US Secretary of Treasury, Dr. Janet Yellen, greets a SCRALA project beneficiary at her homestead in Chongwe, Zambia

US Sec Yellen Visits Green Climate Fund Resilience Agriculture Site in Zambia: Reaffirms Support to enhance Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation

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Attendees at the Conference on Policies and Strategies for Increased Participation and Representations of Women in Elections and Politics in Zambia, including the Permanent Secretary for the Gender Division in the Office of the President, Senior Elections Advisor for the UNDP Zambia's Democracy Strengthening in Zambia project, and the Executive Director of the Zambia National Women's Lobby

Working Towards Increased Women's Political Participation in Zambia

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Are You Safe?: 16 Days of Activism Against GBV Unveils the Criticality of Ending Violence Against Women

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GEF-SGP Beneficiaries, Leonard Banda and Sabina Zulu standing in front of their farm

Community Transformation through Sustainable Agriculture and Fish Farming

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Latest news

UNV National Volunteers Day UN Resident Coordinator, Beatrice Mutali, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services' Permanent Secretary - Angela Chomba Kawandamiand Minister - Hon. Doreen Sefuke Mwamba M.P., and UNDP Resident Representative, Lionel Laurens, holding Zambia's First National Volunteer Policy
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Solidarity Through Volunteering: Unveiling the National Volunteer Policy

Recognising the crucial role volunteers play across key sectors in Zambia, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, with support from UNV Zambia and UNDP Zambia, developed and launched Zambia's first National Volunteer Policy on the 2022 International Volunteers Day.

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A guest samples Sioma Honey, produced by farmers opting for alternative livelihood in Sioma District, a SCRALA project site
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UNDP Makes the Mongu Expo a Sweet Experience

The Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Agro-Ecological Zones I and II in Zambia (SCRALA) project exhibited beneficiary products at the Western Province held in Mongu.

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Delving into the rich field of Artisanal Small-Scale Mining and Development Minerals

Development Minerals offer unique machining and value-addition opportunities for Zambian innovators and Artisanal-Small Scale Miners alike

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Judith Mulenga with school going girls at the Girls in STEM Against GBV Conference
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Empowering girls to achieve economic independence through STEM education to fight against GBV

In a country where girls face shattered dreams due to child marriage, Ritah Muchimba, 18, is one of the growing numbers of Zambian girls breaking with the tradition in her village and has set her sights on becoming an electrical engineer.

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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

Innovation helps Zambia women and youths bounce back in cross-border trade

Lilian Masiye, an informal female cross border trader, was in dire straits. After sales at her duvets stall plummeted, she applied for a loan from a bank to keep her business going. She was unable to access funding because she did not have a fixed salary or own any property that the bank requires as collateral. “It was emotionally disturbing,” she sighs, with her smile temporarily giving way to a frown. Lilian had a somewhat flourishing business – importing and selling duvets and kitchenware in Zambia’s tourist capital, Livingstone, a hub for visitors to the Victoria Falls, bordering with Zimbabwe - before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. “I had to borrow money to pay my children’s school fees. My business had been doing well but COVID-19 has pushed me in an awkward situation. Feeding my family is another daily worry,” said the 53-years-old widow whose only wish is for the coronavirus to “go away soon.”

stories
Lilian Masiye, an informal female cross border trader, was in dire straits. After sales at her duvets stall plummeted, she applied for a loan from a bank to keep her business going. She was unable to access funding because she did not have a fixed salary or own any property that the bank requires as collateral.

Zambia at a Glance

19.6

million

There are approximately 19.6 million people in Zambia

51

percent

of the population of Zambia are women.

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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