National Development Planning in
Zambia
A Presentation to the Workshop on the Harmonization of the NPoA of
the APRM into National Development Structures and Strategies
Lusaka, Zambia
Ms. Mutembo Chwunga
2014
INTRODUCTION

The 1990s observed an uncoordinated,
haphazard and incoherent sector approaches
to planning in Zambia
◦ Policy framework papers at institutional level
guided development,
◦ Formed the basis for prioritisation and resource
allocations
◦ Absence of inter-sectoral synergies

This necessitated the re-emergency of long
and medium-term national planning in 2002.
INTRODUCTION CONT’D

Significant strides made towards coordinated
development planning processes since 2002
◦ Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) 2002 –
2004
◦ Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP)
2002 -2005
◦ National Vision 2030
◦ Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) 2006 2010
◦ Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) 2011 –
2015
◦ Revised National Development Plan (R-SNDP)
2013 -2016
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING PROCESS
What does it take to develop a National
Development Plan in Zambia?
APPROACH

Two approaches are used side by side
◦ Top Down
◦ Bottom Up
 And both are enshrined in the sectoral and regional
focus of development. Thus, development
programmes in the NDP should spring from either
of these areas
 The interface with other sectors, provinces and
districts is part of the chapter development process
TOP DOWN

Top Down
◦ Defining of Macroeconomic framework and
setting of objectives and strategic focus
◦ Fiscal framework
◦ General guidelines in terms of ToRs given to
SAGs, PDCCs and DDCCs
TOP DOWN

The ToRs highlight key issues of reference in drafting
chapters for inclusion in the National Development
Plan and among other things include:-
◦ Proposed programmes/policies should be aimed at
achieving Vision 2030
◦ Revision of sector past performance and its
recommendations
◦ Reviewing of local and international agreements,
resolutions and treaties such as SDGs, NEPAD, COMESA
etc. to ensure are incorporated in the NDP
◦ Outline the roles that should be assigned to all identifiable
stakeholders
◦ Cross cutting issues such as gender, environment etc are
to be enshrined in programme design
BOTTOM UP

Bottom UP
◦ Stakeholder participation is vital for the successful
implementation of the development plan
◦ Communities through DDCCs are engaged in
meetings/workshops on the development issues
affecting them and asked to recommend how these
could be addressed
◦ DDCCs hold meetings to discuss overall district
development based on the issues from the
communities
 These DDCC meetings are special meetings as they may
include participants not normally called to attend such as
Councillors
◦ District priorities are submitted to PDCC for
consideration
BOTTOM UP
◦ PDCCs compile DDCCs reports to formulate
Provincial development priorities and this is
submitted to Ministry of Finance for
consideration and inclusion into the NDP
TYPES OF PLANS





Long term – National Vision
which is 25years
Medium Term – National
Development Plans which are 5
year long and are currently aimed
at achieving Vision 2030
Medium Term Expenditure
Framework – 3 years
Annual National Budgets, these
operationalise the NDPs
Sector Specific Development
Plans
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Roads
Energy
Agriculture
Tourism
Education
Health
MTEF
/Annual
Budgets
NDPs
Sector
Specific
Plans
These vary in periods from 10
to 20 years
Vision 2030
FORMULATION PROCESS OF
Process
NDPs
takes at
Defining the macroeconomic framework and setting the
objectives and strategic focus
least 2
years
Policy guidance from Cabinet
Situation Analysis & Forecasting/formulation of development
scenarios
Drafting of Chapters by Sectors/PDCCs/DDCCs
Various Stakeholder Consultations - in form of
meetings/workshops/written submissions
This allows for interface between and across sectors & regions
Consolidation & Final Drafting
Validation Workshop
Awareness &
Sensitisations takes
Launch by the President of the Republic and Dissemination of
the Plan
place throughout
the design period
National
Development
Plan
IMPLEMENTATION OF NDPS
The financing frame of the NDP indicates
resource requirements and sources
 The Annual Budgets are the main tool of
implementation of NDPs
 Programmes and Projects in Sector and
Regional chapters in the NDP are
implemented by MPSAs
 The plan covers a five year period

MONITORING AND
EVALUATION
Annual progress reports
 Mid term review
 Evaluation at the end of the Plan period

CHALLENGES IN THE NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
PROCESS

The planning process until this year has
been adhoc
◦ Without written down procedures, timelines
and processes and manuals
◦ Absence of a comprehensive legal framework
◦ Weak linkages between NDPs and the MTEF
◦ Weak linkages with different tiers of
government
◦ District, provincial, sector and national plans
have limited synergies
HOPE IS THERE
The development of the National
Planning and Budgeting Policy, 2014 gives
hope to address most of the challenges
highlighted
 The policy is the torch bearer for the
enactment of the Planning and Budgeting
legislation

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION