On Friday October 7, 2016, the Wilson Center’s Africa Program hosted the Honorable Felix Mutati, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Zambia, for a discussion about Zambia’s governance and economic state, and its posture and plan for the way forward. The meeting was attended by several U.S. government agencies and program leads including USAID, the State Department, the International Republican Institute, and the National Democratic Institute, as well as organizations that work with or in Zambia including the ONE Campaign and Creative Associates International. The minister spoke to the economic challenges facing Zambia, including dwindling reserves, the trade deficit, and the overall fragility of the economy. The minister also addressed the way forward, focusing on principles and measures that the government will undertake to stabilize and grow the economy. He highlighted growing revenues and the improved management of expenditures, especially in managing subsidies which have afforded little benefit to the vast majority of the population, who remain trapped in poverty. He also addressed the efforts by the Zambian government to attain fiscal and debt sustainability, while promoting inclusive growth and economic governance by developing a more predictable system with minimal human interference. 

On the topic of international economic engagement, the minister highlighted the difficulty and slow pace of procurement when working with the United States, which has led Zambia and other African countries to look toward China. Participants discussed the opportunity for future dialogue on how to best facilitate private sector engagement, and the minister voiced his desire to continue to explore partnerships. The minister also discussed Zambia’s desire to access Power Africa and other U.S. resources that could support Zambian efforts to address transportation and logistics challenges, particularly as they relate to trade. Minister Mutati also urged the United States and other international partners to move away from what he termed the “confetti” approach to development and economic engagement, where partners sprinkle a lit bit here and little bit there with little connectivity to larger goals. He urged the next administration to have a clear view of its policy on Africa. In response, U.S. government personnel offered insight into the U.S. budgetary and appropriations process which imposes restrictions on program funding.

Meeting participants also engaged the minister on their concerns about the country’s plan for Trade Africa and governance and election issues that have continued to linger across several presidencies. In this regard, some saw the most recent elections as having been a step back, which was a matter of concern. Other governance concerns centered on the clamp down on civil society and the media. Several participants asked questions about measures that the government was taking to ensure that ordinary people understood and owned the constitution, and could hold the government accountable. The minister noted that under the new constitution, the country was working to devolve power to local level and that this would help address some governance questions and increase transparency. Additional topics of discussion included the disproportionate toll that poverty takes on women and youth and ensuring access to the right kind of education and training for Zambian youth. Zambia was commended for its contributions in peacekeeping, particularly its participation in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).