Luapula Province’s CDF Revolution: A Five‑Year Chronicle of Growth, Empowerment, and Lasting Impact (2021–2026)
Introduction
The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has emerged as the most powerful engine for grassroots transformation in Zambia’s Luapula Province. What began as a modest allocation of K1.6 million per constituency in 2021 has evolved into a transformative development force, culminating in a landmark K40 million per constituency in 2026. This remarkable 2,400% increase has propelled the region – from the historic capital of Mansa to the remote island communities of Samfya and the border districts of Chienge – to actively construct modern health facilities, classrooms, roads, and launch thousands of economic empowerment initiatives.
Luapula Province has become a showcase of how decentralised funding, community‑driven decision‑making, and political will can deliver tangible, life‑changing results. This article chronicles the key successes, amounts spent, and the districts transformed between 2021 and 2026, while also highlighting the ambitious projects currently underway.
The Funding Surge: From Millions to Billions
The government’s decision to drastically increase CDF allocations has fundamentally transformed Luapula Province’s development landscape. 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. The national government has released a total of K5.26 billion under the 2025 CDF, representing 94 percent of the approved allocations to local authorities.
Luapula Province’s twelve districts – Mansa, Samfya, Nchelenge, Kawambwa, Mwense, Milenge, Chembe, Mwansabombwe, Chienge, Chifunabuli, Lunga, and Chipili – have all benefited from this unprecedented financial injection. The province has seen remarkable progress in maternal healthcare, with the Provincial Health Office reporting that since August 2021, 20 maternity annexes and 40 health posts have been completed in Luapula Province, with medicine availability at 98 percent. Between 2022 and 2024, CDF grants to clubs and cooperatives in the province increased from 609 in 2022 to 1,323 in 2023 and 1,520 in 2024. The loan scheme also expanded significantly, supporting 256 cooperatives and companies in 2022, 277 in 2023, and 569 in 2024.
Completed Projects: Transforming Communities Across Luapula Province
The impact of the increased funding is most visible in the completed projects that now dot the province. Across every district, communities are celebrating new infrastructure that was once only a dream.
Mansa District: The Provincial Capital Leads by Example
Mansa District has emerged as a regional model for CDF utilisation, with the Mansa Municipal Council delivering classroom blocks, staff houses, market shelters, footbridges, street lighting, and over 1,000 desks to schools across the district in 2025. Completed projects have included staff housing and a police post at Paul Mambilima, renovation of Chisongo Primary School, and street lighting at Musaila.
On the skills development front, Mansa has demonstrated exceptional performance. Under the 2025 CDF, the Local Authority sponsored a total of 1,240 students to pursue various courses at TEVET institutions across the country at a total cost of K22,874,559.00. Bahati Constituency supported 579 students at K11,435,905.00 while Mansa Central Constituency supported 661 students at K11,438,694.00. The Council further sponsored 241 pupils under the 2025 CDF Secondary School Boarding Bursaries at a total cost of K1,160,178.00 – Mansa Central Constituency supported 161 learners at K785,475.00, while Bahati Constituency supported 80 learners at K374,700.00.
For 2026, a total of 555 youths have been selected for sponsorship under the CDF Skills Development program in Mansa District, with Bahati Constituency approving 295 students at K6,223,918.00 and Mansa Central Constituency contributing 260 students at K5,459,878.00.
On the economic empowerment front, the Mansa Municipal Council disbursed K4,981,290.00 in grants to 263 beneficiaries under the 2025 CDF Empowerment Grant Component – 123 applicants from Bahati received K2,491,290.00 while 140 successful applicants from Mansa Central Constituency received K2,490,000.00. Under CDF loans, Bahati Constituency handed over loans to 19 beneficiaries at K3,748,396.00 while Mansa Central empowered 20 beneficiaries at K3,965,475.00.
Samfya District: Infrastructure Upsurge and Desk Bonanza
Samfya district has witnessed a spike in infrastructure development across the ten wards of Bangweulu constituency, recording seventeen construction projects from the 2022 funding. The twelve million eight hundred kwacha worth of projects from the 2022 funding has built nineteen (19) classrooms expected to accommodate over 700 pupils and five (5) health facilities across the district. Other construction projects funded under 2022 CDF include Samfya Police Station annex and a sanitation facility at Samfya Correctional Facility.
In a major boost to education, Samfya Town Council procured four thousand two hundred and forty-nine desks for schools in all the ten wards of Samfya district amounting to over six million kwacha under the 2023 Bangweulu Constituency Development Fund, translating to seventy percent of the total desk deficit the district registered. The Local Authority has also constructed four new classroom blocks under the 2022 CDF for Bangweulu Constituency.
On the road infrastructure front, Samfya Town Council has intensified efforts to construct and rehabilitate feeder roads in the district. A total of twenty-six kilometers of township roads has so far been concluded and thirty kilometers of feeder roads opened up, made possible through the availability of earth moving equipment procured using the CDF and over three‑million‑kwacha annual allocations to the roads component of the fund.
Nchelenge District: Modern Bus Station and Hostel Rehabilitation
Nchelenge District has witnessed transformative infrastructure development. The Luapula Province Permanent Secretary handed over a modern bus station and ablution block constructed under the Zambia Devolution Support Programme (ZDSP), alongside two school hostels and 400 mattresses financed through the 2025 CDF. A total of K777,399.50 was allocated under the 2025 CDF community projects component for the education facilities, benefiting 400 pupils through improved accommodation at Nchelenge Secondary School. The bus station and ablution block were constructed at a cost of over K2.5 million through ZDSP and are expected to improve safety, mobility and trading standards for motorists and the local community.
Learners at Nchelenge Secondary School have attributed increased enrolment, improved performance and better welfare to the Free Education Policy and CDF bursaries. The district also received a K4,411,224 CDF boost handed over to 29 successful beneficiaries in Nchelenge District in August 2025.
Kawambwa District: Over K9 Million in Infrastructure and K5 Million in Grants
Kawambwa District has been a standout performer. The Luapula Province Minister commissioned over K9 million Constituency Development Fund (CDF) worth of transformative infrastructure projects in Kawambwa district, including a 1×3 classroom block at Ntulo primary school, 1×2 classroom block at Nachampama primary school, maternity annex at Munkanta rural health centre, health post at Muchulila clinic, two 10,000 litres capacity solar powered boreholes at Muchulila and Mwangwe clinics, a 3‑bedroomed staff house at Mwangwe clinic, a 22‑tonne roller compactor, a skip truck, and a low‑bed truck.
The government approved a total of K35,500,874.50 under the 2025 CDF to support community projects in Pambashe and Kawambwa Central Constituencies, with each constituency allocated over K17,750,000.00 for projects aimed at improving local infrastructure, health services, education and operational capacity for public service delivery.
On the economic front, Kawambwa Town Council officially handed over a total of K5,005,990.00 to 371 beneficiaries of the 2025 CDF in Kawambwa Central and Pambashe Constituencies – 177 groups from Kawambwa Central Constituency received grants amounting to K2,514,700.00, while 194 groups from Pambashe Constituency received grants amounting to K2,491,290.00.
Mwense District: K8.9 Million in Loans and Five Community Projects
Mwense District has demonstrated exceptional performance in both infrastructure and economic empowerment. The Luapula Province Permanent Secretary commissioned several CDF projects in Mwense district, including a junior science laboratory at Kapamba secondary school (K883,500), a 1×2 classroom block at Koweni primary school (K382,960), a 1×3 classroom block at Musangu secondary school (K266,012), a 1×3 classroom block at Kashiba secondary school (over K1 million), and a computer laboratory at Mambilima special secondary school (K334,787).
The PS also handed over K8,882,000 empowerment loans to 86 recipients from Mambilima and Mwense constituencies, aimed at empowering community members, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth. In December 2025, the government commissioned a wide range of CDF‑supported projects in Mwense District as part of its ongoing drive to take development closer to the people through decentralisation.
Milenge District: Eight Transformative Projects and Medical Equipment
Milenge District achieved a historic milestone in April 2025 with the commissioning of eight transformative community projects funded through the CDF. The event also featured the handover of empowerment grants to 72 beneficiaries.
Four critical healthcare facilities worth a combined K3,657,087.86 were commissioned, including the Chibende Maternity Annex (K938,195.64), Chipundu Maternity Annex (K1,106,945.50), Mulungushi Health Post (K544,054.34), and Fishikwa Health Post complete with staff housing (K1,067,892.38). Medical equipment worth K1,216,000 was handed over to Milenge District Hospital, including 70 hospital beds with mattresses and lockers, two specialised theatre beds, and 70 sets of blankets and bedsheets.
Four newly completed education infrastructure projects worth a combined K2,881,146.73 were officially commissioned, comprising the Lwela Boys’ Dormitory (K744,088.80), a 1×3 classroom block at Milenge Primary School (K966,892.75), and new classroom blocks at both Mununshi Primary School (K573,329.00) and Kabange Primary School (K596,836.18). A total of K2,478,178.35 in empowerment grants was disbursed to 72 beneficiaries, including small‑scale entrepreneurs and cooperatives.
Chembe District: 13 Projects Valued at K11.36 Million
Chembe District witnessed a historic milestone in its development journey when the Permanent Secretary commissioned 13 projects, valued at K11,362,954.96, implemented under the CDF. These projects include construction of a rural health post at Kapu, solar water schemes at Kapu Health Post (2000 litres) and Mwami (5000 litres), 1×3 classroom blocks at Filando and Misamu Primary Schools, crossing points at Senkwe and Fikombo, a maternity annex at Fikombo, procurement of a 20‑tonne roller compactor, rural health posts at Lwansa and Muombe (with ablution blocks and running water), completion of a 1×2 classroom block at Chembe Secondary School, and a 2‑bedroomed semi‑detached staff house at Malenge Primary School.
Mwansabombwe District: 13 Projects Commissioned and Pineapple Revolution
Mwansabombwe Town Council officially commissioned 13 transformative projects funded under the CDF for 2023/2024, including a Tipper Truck, Water Bowser, Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB), Compactor, newly constructed classroom blocks, health posts, and other essential infrastructure designed to improve education, healthcare, feeder roads, and water reticulation within the district.
The district is steadily emerging as a hub for pineapple cultivation in Luapula Province. The Chilombwa Farmers’ Cooperative, a CDF beneficiary for 2024, received a grant of K25,000 and has successfully cultivated a 2‑hectare pineapple field. The cooperative’s secretary highlighted that the CDF grant has been instrumental in boosting their farming activities, with plans for value addition through juice extraction and dried pineapple processing.
Chienge District: Seven Projects Worth K7.36 Million
Chienge District has witnessed significant development with the commissioning and handover of seven projects constructed using the CDF at a total cost of K7,362,541.01. These include 1×3 classroom blocks with ablution facilities at Njelesani (K910,814.82) and Njikalilwa Primary Schools (K1,329,589.82), a 1×3 classroom block at Chibabila Primary School (K895,801.83), a science laboratory at Lunchinda Secondary School (K997,183.71), a 1×3 classroom block and ablution block at Chitofwe (K1,331,003.93), a 1×3 classroom block at Kabendwe Primary School (K771,751.38), and Chienge Boma Market infrastructure (K1,126,395.42).
Residents in Lunchinda area are also set to receive the first ever communal maternity annex to be contracted at a total cost of K1,557,842 under the CDF.
Chifunabuli District: 28 Projects and 6,910 Desks
Chifunabuli District has seen remarkable progress. The Luapula Province Permanent Secretary officiated the handover of 28 completed CDF community projects and disbursement of grants and loans to beneficiaries of the 2025 CDF. Among the commissioned projects were earthmoving equipment – a Grader, Tipper truck, TLB, Tractor, Water Bowser and Roller compactor – at a cost of K14,887,220.97. Twenty‑two community projects worth K11,994,886.06 were also completed, including classroom blocks, health centres, a dormitory at Lubwe Primary School, water reticulation systems and staff houses for health and education personnel.
A total of 42 community projects under the CDF have been implemented in Chifunabuli District between 2022 and 2024, with 38 completed and the rest under construction. Additionally, 6,910 desks have been distributed to all schools in the district, alleviating shortages that characterized learning institutions in the past. Over 24,000 women in Chifunabuli district have benefitted from various government empowerment programmes.
Lunga District: Classroom and Water Scheme Projects
Lunga District has made significant strides under the CDF. The Luapula Constituency Fund Committee approved a budget of K630,400.00 for the construction of a 1×3 Classroom Block at Mbo ya Lubambe Primary School in Nshinga Ward and K307,500.00 for a solar powered piped water scheme at Bwalya Mponda Secondary School. The Lunga Town Council also held an official handover ceremony of a CDF Vehicle and a total of K6,200,000.00 CDF Empowerment Loans to 31 beneficiaries.
Economic Empowerment: Grants, Loans, and Skills Development Across the Province
Beyond infrastructure, the CDF has been a catalyst for economic empowerment and skills development across Luapula Province. The government has prioritised the 20% allocation for youth and women empowerment and 20% for secondary school and skills development bursaries under the CDF framework.
In 2022, 609 clubs and cooperatives in Luapula Province received CDF grants, increasing to 1,323 in 2023 and 1,520 in 2024. The loan scheme supported 256 cooperatives and companies in 2022, 277 in 2023, and 569 in 2024.
The CDF has transformed maternal healthcare across the province, with 23 maternity annexes constructed – consisting of 12 rehabilitated and 11 new units – and seven staff houses built in the health sector. The Provincial Health Office reports that since August 2021, 20 maternity annexes and 40 health posts have been completed in Luapula Province, with medicine availability at 98 percent.
Ongoing Projects: Building on Momentum
Even as communities celebrate completed projects, the pipeline for 2025 and 2026 is robust. Many projects are either under construction or in advanced planning stages.
- Mansa District: Ongoing projects advancing across the district include modern markets at Senama, classroom blocks at Moloshi, Kapyata, and Namwandwe Primary Schools, maternity annexes at Chisembe, Mabumba, and Namwandwe, footbridges at Katanta Kasamba, dormitories at Mansa Correctional Facility, and staff houses at Kalaba and Mupofwe.
- Samfya District: The roads construction project is yet to be rolled out to other parts of the district, pending availability of funds from the CDF. Feeder roads in Kalasa Mukoso and Mabo Kunda have been graded, with more planned.
- Nchelenge District: The Nchelenge CDF application process for 2025 has opened, and the 2025 budget estimates have been approved with a focus on inclusive growth and improving residents’ quality of life.
- Kawambwa District: The Luapula Province Local Government Officer commended ongoing CDF project implementation in Kawambwa District, highlighting exemplary workmanship and high‑quality execution during a monitoring visit. The 2025 CDF approved projects include procurement of tipper trucks, graders, excavators, water bowsers, and staff accommodation.
- Chifunabuli District: A number of CDF projects are still under construction, including some of the 42 community projects implemented under the 2022-2024 CDF.
- Chienge District: The CDF Committee is currently undertaking a comprehensive monitoring exercise of the 2024 and 2025 CDF projects.
- Lunga District: The Luapula Constituency Fund Committee continues to monitor and approve projects for implementation.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Despite the overwhelming successes, CDF implementation has faced challenges. The government has repeatedly warned against the misuse of CDF funds, with the Luapula Province Permanent Secretary cautioning that “What is causing us to give a few people loans is because the people we are giving are not paying back. This is seed money — a revolving fund, not a grant. If you don’t pay back, others will never benefit.”
Nchelenge Town Council Chairperson warned against any form of corruption or manipulation within Ward Development Committees, emphasising that “CDF is not personal money. It is taxpayers’ money. No one should claim they facilitated someone’s loan. This money belongs to the people, and we must implement CDF with integrity and fairness.”
The Chifunabuli Council Secretary has cautioned members of the public against vandalising CDF community projects, noting how some projects under construction have been vandalised, with equipment such as solar panels stolen from site.
The trajectory remains overwhelmingly positive. With the 2026 allocation now set at K40 million per constituency, Luapula Province is poised to build on its momentum. As Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Prudence Chinama-Kangwa noted, “These projects demonstrate the government’s commitment to community development and will contribute to the overall well-being and growth of the community.”
Conclusion
From 2021 to 2026, the Constituency Development Fund has rewritten the development story of Luapula Province. What was once a symbolic fund has become a practical tool for eradicating classroom shortages, bringing clean water to villages, equipping clinics with modern maternity annexes, constructing first‑ever market shelters and police posts, distributing tens of thousands of desks, and empowering thousands of entrepreneurs with loans and grants.
The evidence is clear: across Mansa, Samfya, Nchelenge, Kawambwa, Mwense, Milenge, Chembe, Mwansabombwe, Chienge, Chifunabuli, Lunga, and Chipili, the CDF has delivered. As the government remains committed to leaving no one behind, the next five years promise even greater transformation for the people of Luapula Province.
Summary Table: Key CDF Investments in Luapula Province (2022–2026)
| District | Key Investments | Amount (K) |
| Mansa | 1,240 skills students (2025), 241 boarding pupils (2025), 555 youth skills (2026), 263 grants (K4.98M), 39 loans (K7.71M), infrastructure projects, 1,000+ desks | 22,874,559 + 1,160,178 + 11,683,796 + multiple |
| Samfya | 19 classrooms, 5 health facilities, 4,249 desks (K6M+), 26km township roads, 30km feeder roads, police station annex | 12,800,000+ + 6,000,000+ |
| Nchelenge | Modern bus station (K2.5M ZDSP), school hostels (K777,400), 400 mattresses, K4.41M loans to 29 beneficiaries | 2,500,000+ + 777,400 + 4,411,224 |
| Kawambwa | K9M+ infrastructure (classrooms, maternity annex, health post, boreholes, staff house, roller compactor, skip truck, low‑bed truck), K5.0M grants (371 groups), K35.5M approved (2025) | 9,000,000+ + 5,005,990 + 35,500,875 |
| Mwense | K8.9M loans (86 recipients), science lab (K883,500), computer lab (K334,787), 4 classroom blocks (K1.8M+) | 8,882,000 + 3,000,000+ |
| Milenge | 8 projects: 4 health facilities (K3.66M), medical equipment (K1.22M), 4 education projects (K2.88M), 72 grants (K2.48M) | 6,538,234 + 2,478,178 |
| Chembe | 13 projects (rural health posts, solar water schemes, 3 classroom blocks, 2 crossing points, maternity annex, roller compactor, staff house) | 11,362,955 |
| Mwansabombwe | 13 projects (tipper truck, water bowser, TLB, compactor, classroom blocks, health posts), pineapple cooperative grant | Multiple |
| Chienge | 7 projects (4 classroom blocks, science lab, market infrastructure, maternity annex pending) | 7,362,541 |
| Chifunabuli | 28 projects (earthmoving equipment K14.89M, 22 projects K11.99M), 6,910 desks, 42 projects total (38 completed), 24,000+ women empowered | 26,882,107 + multiple |
| Lunga | Classroom block (K630,400), solar water scheme (K307,500), K6.2M loans to 31 beneficiaries | 937,900 + 6,200,000 |