Transforming Central Province: A Five-Year Chronicle of CDF-Funded Successes (2021–2026)
Introduction
Over the last five years, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has fundamentally reshaped the development landscape of Zambia’s Central Province. What began as a modest allocation of K1.6 million per constituency in 2021 has transformed into a powerful engine for grassroots development, culminating in a landmark K40 million per constituency in 2026. This unprecedented increase in funding, driven by the New Dawn Government’s commitment to decentralisation, has enabled communities to move from dreaming about development to actively constructing it, building classrooms, clinics, roads, and launching thousands of empowerment programmes.
From the agricultural plains of Mkushi to the rural health posts of Serenje, Central Province has become a showcase for how targeted, community-driven funding can deliver tangible results. This article chronicles the key successes, amounts spent, and the districts transformed between 2021 and 2026, while also highlighting the projects currently underway.
The Funding Surge: From Millions to Billions
The government’s decision to drastically scale up the CDF is the foundation of these successes. Across Zambia, the annual allocation per constituency has risen steadily: K25.7 million in 2022, K28.3 million in 2023, K30.6 million in 2024, K36.1 million in 2025, and K40 million in 2026. This represents a staggering 2,400% increase from the 2021 baseline.
In Central Province, this translated into hundreds of millions of Kwacha flowing directly to district councils and communities. For instance, by late 2025, the government had released a total of K5.26 billion nationwide under the CDF, with Central Province receiving a significant share to address its unique infrastructure and social needs.
Completed Projects: Transforming Education, Health, and Infrastructure Across Districts
The impact of the increased funding is most visible in the completed projects that now dot the province. Across all eight districts—Chibombo, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Mkushi, Mumbwa, Serenje, Shibuyunji, and Luano, communities are celebrating new facilities.
1. Serenje District: A Model of Comprehensive Development
Perhaps the most illustrative success story is Serenje District, where twenty community development projects valued at K23.8 million were commissioned, funded by CDF allocations from 2022 to 2024. These included rural health centres, classroom blocks, staff houses, water reticulation systems, and the distribution of over 7,600 desks to schools across the Muchinga and Serenje Central constituencies. Central Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Milner Mwanakampwe described the milestone as “development in action,” noting that these facilities enable mothers to give birth safely and children to learn with dignity.
2. Chitambo District: Targeted Community Upgrades
In Chitambo District, four community projects totalling K2,235,850.16 were commissioned, including a new classroom block at Mwansa Mpango Primary School, enhanced facilities at Kafinda Health Post (including a water system and toilets), and upgraded sanitation infrastructure at Chalilo Market. Additionally, 16 local businesses received funding from a K2.6 million loan pool, stimulating local economic growth.
3. Kabwe District: Urban and Rural Impact
In Kabwe Central Constituency, the provincial capital, a 1×3 classroom block was constructed at a cost of K700,000 from the CDF, easing overcrowding in a key urban school. Meanwhile, in the broader Kabwe district, the municipality awarded skills development bursaries to 763 students under the 2025 CDF allocation, directly addressing youth unemployment.
4. Shibuyunji District: From Zero to Hero
Shibuyunji District, once among the most underdeveloped, has seen a remarkable turnaround. Since 2021, 221 clubs and cooperatives have benefited from CDF grants and loans totalling over K10 million. Major infrastructure handovers in 2025 included new health facilities and school blocks, with the district’s 2025 budget rising 67.5% to K99.5 million, largely driven by the increased CDF allocation.
5. Mkushi District: Water and Sanitation
In Mkushi, three major CDF projects were commissioned in mid-2024, including a water reticulation system in Nkumbi village (K419,570), a waterborne ablution block at Ilume School (K287,000), and a modern police post in Musofu Ward. These projects have directly improved public health and security.
6. Mumbwa District: Health and Disaster Response
Mumbwa District commissioned the Kanwazhiba Rural Health Centre and installed a water scheme in Chimunzi ward at a cost of K249,553. Under the Cash for Work programme, the district paid over K20 million to beneficiaries between August and December 2024, providing a vital safety net for vulnerable households.
7. Itezhi-Tezhi: Transforming a Remote Community
In Buleya Community, Itezhi-Tezhi, a 2023 CDF project worth K1,689,671.95 transformed a “bush-like” area into a hub of dignity. The project delivered clean drinking water, 50 double-sitter desks, a modern ablution block, a staff house, and a 1×2 classroom block. Pupils no longer fear rain disrupting their lessons, and teachers have proper accommodation.
8. Kapiri Mposhi: Bringing Healthcare Home
In Kapiri Mposhi, a 2024 CDF project constructed a staff house and health post in Mushimbili Ward at a cost of K632,249, bringing healthcare closer to home for hundreds of villagers. A subsequent procurement of medical equipment in 2025 ensured the facility was fully operational.
Empowerment and Economic Impact: Grants, Loans, and Skills
Beyond infrastructure, the CDF has been a catalyst for economic empowerment. In 2023 alone, Central Province disbursed K32.42 million in grants to 1,242 cooperatives, individuals, and companies, along with K41.23 million in loans to 347 recipients. For 2024, these figures increased to K33.9 million in grants (990 recipients) and K52 million in loans (402 recipients).
The results are tangible. In Mkushi South Constituency, 146 cooperatives and clubs received K2,491,290.41 in empowerment grants under the 2025 allocation to support small-scale enterprises. In Katuba Constituency (Chibombo), CDF empowerment loans amounting to K3,753,862 were disbursed to women, youth, and community groups. One beneficiary in Mkushi, a farmer, used a 2024 CDF loan to expand his agricultural operation, demonstrating the fund’s ability to break cycles of poverty.
The skills development component has also been a game-changer. In 2023, the province spent K5.1 million training over 5,100 youths. In 2024, that allocation ballooned to K84.9 million, targeting more than 6,800 young people with marketable skills.
Ongoing Projects: Building on Success
Even as communities celebrate completed projects, the pipeline for 2025 and 2026 is robust. Many projects are either under construction or in the advanced planning stages.
- Serenje District has approved an additional K17.7 million for 19 new community projects in Serenje Central and another K17.7 million for 17 projects in Muchinga Constituency under the 2025 CDF allocation.
- Mumbwa District signed contracts in August 2025 for 15 contractors to undertake community projects valued at a total of K23,617,793.70, ensuring a steady stream of new developments.
- Kabwe District is actively monitoring uncompleted 2024 and 2025 CDF projects, with local authorities urging contractors to expedite work to ensure timely delivery of classroom blocks and other facilities.
- Chibombo District continues to commission ongoing projects, including the rehabilitation of a classroom block at Chabona Primary School under the 2025 CDF Disaster Component, demonstrating the fund’s flexibility in responding to emergencies like storm damage.
- Kapiri Mposhi has approved 89 community-based projects in 18 wards, totalling K16,657,020, covering police posts, water schemes, and other critical infrastructure.
Challenges and the Path Forward
The success of the CDF has not been without challenges. Dr. Mwanakampwe has publicly noted bottlenecks, including low loan repayment rates and the misapplication of funds by some beneficiaries. He has also warned against extortion by committee members, stressing that loans must be repaid to sustain the fund for future generations.
Nevertheless, the trajectory is overwhelmingly positive. The Presidential Delivery Unit reports that as of June 2025, Zambia achieved a 63% utilization rate against disbursements, with ZMK 1.2 billion actively deployed from the ZMK 2.27 billion sent to local authorities. With the 2026 allocation now set at K40 million per constituency, Central Province is poised to build on its momentum, ensuring that no community is left behind.
Conclusion
From 2021 to 2026, the Constituency Development Fund has rewritten the development story of Central Province. What was once a symbolic fund has become a practical tool for eradicating classroom shortages, bringing clean water to villages, equipping clinics, and empowering thousands of entrepreneurs. As Central Province Minister Hon. Mwabashike Nkulukusa stated during a handover in Katuba, the day is not just about handing over facilities, but about “celebrating progress, unity, and shared purpose”. With continued commitment to transparency and execution, the next five years promise even greater transformation.