"Zambia’s key challenges resemble those of other Low Income Countries. Economic growth, although improved, has not reached the levels needed to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), nor adequately benefited the areas and sectors where the poor are most numerous. And despite weathering quite well the recent global financial crisis, Zambia can do more to reduce vulnerabilities to future shocks.....the authorities should give particular attention to four key challenges: (i) sustain the recently achieved low to moderate levels of inflation, (ii) reverse declines in capital spending and strengthen public infrastructure, (iii) mobilize domestic revenues, an area where Zambia has begun to lag comparator countries, and (iv) build on progress....to further develop the financial sector"
From the IMF latest assessment. The second point might raise eye brows (for non-regular readers of Zambia Economist) in light of the recent road projects by the Banda administration as the campaign period dawned. But actually, the general picture on infrastructure development is quite poor. We have chronicled this in the past, but this graphic from the same report drives the point - capital expenditure as a proportion of GDP has actually been falling, though the government has assumed a larger role. But obviously not enough to fill the void left by foreign funding!
Without significant infrastructure economic diversification will remain a challenge - see the monthly essay Five Questions on Zambia's Diversification. There's also the problem of rural-urban infrastructure divide which we have also touched on - see The Rural-Urban Infrastructure Divide, 2nd Edition.
The question is what new policies are needed to close this gap? What new policies should a new government pursue?
As we are answering that question, its worth also noting that issue is not just spend more and more. As has been noted by many observers, the quality and delivery of investment is vital. Corruption and poor appraisal of infrastructure options undermines the little money we have. So is arbitrary spending of money that does not go through proper budgetary procedures and public consultation. In short we face two challenges - how do we ensure the little money we have is spent properly; and, how do we close the infrastructure spending gap both nationally and across regions?
Without significant infrastructure economic diversification will remain a challenge - see the monthly essay Five Questions on Zambia's Diversification. There's also the problem of rural-urban infrastructure divide which we have also touched on - see The Rural-Urban Infrastructure Divide, 2nd Edition.
The question is what new policies are needed to close this gap? What new policies should a new government pursue?
As we are answering that question, its worth also noting that issue is not just spend more and more. As has been noted by many observers, the quality and delivery of investment is vital. Corruption and poor appraisal of infrastructure options undermines the little money we have. So is arbitrary spending of money that does not go through proper budgetary procedures and public consultation. In short we face two challenges - how do we ensure the little money we have is spent properly; and, how do we close the infrastructure spending gap both nationally and across regions?