{"id":856,"date":"2026-04-08T21:04:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T21:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.upndzambia.africa\/?page_id=856"},"modified":"2026-04-09T13:47:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:47:24","slug":"central-province","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.upndzambia.africa\/?page_id=856","title":{"rendered":"Central Province"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Transforming Central Province: A Five-Year Chronicle of CDF-Funded Successes (2021\u20132026)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0K1.6 million per constituency in 2021<\/strong>\u00a0has transformed into a powerful engine for grassroots development, culminating in a landmark\u00a0K40 million per constituency in 2026<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Funding Surge: From Millions to Billions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government\u2019s 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<\/strong>. This represents a staggering 2,400% increase<\/strong> from the 2021 baseline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong> under the CDF, with Central Province receiving a significant share to address its unique infrastructure and social needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Completed Projects: Transforming Education, Health, and Infrastructure Across Districts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of the increased funding is most visible in the completed projects that now dot the province. Across all eight districts\u2014Chibombo, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Mkushi, Mumbwa, Serenje, Shibuyunji, and Luano, communities are celebrating new facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Serenje District: A Model of Comprehensive Development<\/strong>
Perhaps the most illustrative success story is Serenje District, where twenty community development projects valued at K23.8 million<\/strong> were commissioned, funded by CDF allocations from 2022 to 2024<\/a>. These included rural health centres, classroom blocks, staff houses, water reticulation systems, and the distribution of over 7,600 desks<\/strong> to schools across the Muchinga and Serenje Central constituencies<\/a>. 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Chitambo District: Targeted Community Upgrades<\/strong>
In Chitambo District, four community projects totalling K2,235,850.16<\/strong> 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<\/a>. Additionally, 16 local businesses received funding from a K2.6 million<\/strong> loan pool, stimulating local economic growth<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Kabwe District: Urban and Rural Impact<\/strong>
In Kabwe Central Constituency, the provincial capital, a 1\u00d73 classroom block<\/strong> was constructed at a cost of K700,000<\/strong> from the CDF, easing overcrowding in a key urban school<\/a>. Meanwhile, in the broader Kabwe district, the municipality awarded skills development bursaries to 763 students<\/strong> under the 2025 CDF allocation, directly addressing youth unemployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Shibuyunji District: From Zero to Hero<\/strong>
Shibuyunji District, once among the most underdeveloped, has seen a remarkable turnaround. Since 2021, 221 clubs and cooperatives<\/strong> have benefited from CDF grants and loans totalling over K10 million<\/strong>. Major infrastructure handovers in 2025 included new health facilities and school blocks, with the district\u2019s 2025 budget rising 67.5% to K99.5 million<\/strong>, largely driven by the increased CDF allocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Mkushi District: Water and Sanitation<\/strong>
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Mumbwa District: Health and Disaster Response<\/strong>
Mumbwa District commissioned the Kanwazhiba Rural Health Centre<\/strong> and installed a water scheme in Chimunzi ward at a cost of K249,553<\/strong>. Under the Cash for Work programme, the district paid over K20 million<\/strong> to beneficiaries between August and December 2024, providing a vital safety net for vulnerable households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Itezhi-Tezhi: Transforming a Remote Community<\/strong>
In Buleya Community, Itezhi-Tezhi, a 2023 CDF project worth K1,689,671.95<\/strong> transformed a “bush-like” area into a hub of dignity<\/a>. The project delivered clean drinking water, 50 double-sitter desks, a modern ablution block, a staff house, and a 1\u00d72 classroom block. Pupils no longer fear rain disrupting their lessons, and teachers have proper accommodation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Kapiri Mposhi: Bringing Healthcare Home<\/strong>
In Kapiri Mposhi, a 2024 CDF project constructed a staff house and health post in Mushimbili Ward at a cost of K632,249<\/strong>, bringing healthcare closer to home for hundreds of villagers. A subsequent procurement of medical equipment in 2025 ensured the facility was fully operational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empowerment and Economic Impact: Grants, Loans, and Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond infrastructure, the CDF has been a catalyst for economic empowerment. In 2023 alone<\/strong>, Central Province disbursed K32.42 million in grants to 1,242 cooperatives, individuals, and companies<\/strong>, along with K41.23 million in loans to 347 recipients<\/strong><\/a>. For 2024<\/strong>, these figures increased to K33.9 million in grants (990 recipients) and K52 million in loans (402 recipients)<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results are tangible. In Mkushi South Constituency, 146 cooperatives and clubs<\/strong> received K2,491,290.41<\/strong> in empowerment grants under the 2025 allocation to support small-scale enterprises<\/a>. In Katuba Constituency (Chibombo), CDF empowerment loans amounting to K3,753,862<\/strong> were disbursed to women, youth, and community groups<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The skills development component has also been a game-changer. In 2023, the province spent K5.1 million<\/strong> training over 5,100 youths. In 2024, that allocation ballooned to K84.9 million<\/strong>, targeting more than 6,800 young people with marketable skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ongoing Projects: Building on Success<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n