Zambia

About

As one of the youngest and most urbanised countries in Africa with large copper reserves, Zambia has experienced high levels of economic growth during surges in global commodity prices but has struggled to reduce poverty and inequality. The economy is dominated by mining and agriculture, but rapid urbanisation and the increasing services sector are driving structural transformation. Several structural problems constrain widespread prosperity including high public debt, dependence on a single commodity, periodic electricity crises, and low agricultural productivity.

IGC Zambia, based in Lusaka, supports Zambia's quest for sustainable and inclusive economic growth by working with the government on a range of policy priorities where data and economic research can support policy decisions. For example, we have supported improving the recruitment of community health workers, measured the effects of power outages on firms, mapped informal settlements in Lusaka, evaluated if electronic fiscal devices are effective in raising tax revenue, mapped over 40,000 businesses in Lusaka, and helped roll out of the Constituency Development Fund. Present work focuses on key drivers of growth in Zambia: energy, mining, public-service delivery, and agriculture.

The cornerstone of IGC's work in Zambia is high-trust relationships with policymakers to co-produce relevant and rigorous research. IGC Zambia works with several government departments including the State House, Bank of Zambia, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Local Government. IGC also supports economic development dialogue in Zambia, such as through the annual Zambia Economic Growth Forum.