Government to digitise CDF systems nationwide by June

Government to digitise CDF systems nationwide by June

The Smart Zambia Institute says it will fully digitise Constituency Development Fund (CDF) management systems across all 116 local authorities by June this year, in a move aimed at curbing leakages and improving transparency.

The initiative is expected to enhance accountability and strengthen service delivery by enabling real-time tracking of public funds across councils.

Speaking during a media briefing on the institute’s 2021–2025 digital achievements, national coordinator Percy Chinyama said the system would allow government to monitor how resources are utilised at every stage.

“This means we will be able to track transaction by transaction and payment by payment in the CDF space,” he said. “Government will have full visibility of where the money is going and what development is taking place.”

The digitisation programme is being implemented under the US$100 million Digital Zambia Project, supported by the World Bank. The broader project, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2031, seeks to expand access to internet services and promote inclusive digital transformation.

Mr Chinyama said pilot trials of the CDF management information system are already underway in selected local authorities, including Kalumbila, Ndola, Kalulushi, Kitwe, Solwezi, Luanshya, Chingola and Chilanga.

“These trials are expected to be completed by June, after which we will proceed with a full national roll-out,” he said.

He added that the system is specifically designed to eliminate inefficiencies, strengthen oversight and ensure that public funds are directed towards intended development projects.

“With this system, we will easily identify gaps and inefficiencies from the other side. It strengthens oversight and ensures that resources are directed to the actual development on the ground,” he said.

The CDF digitisation forms part of a wider government strategy to leverage technology to improve governance, service delivery and economic participation.

In parallel, the institute is also rolling out electronic council systems aimed at improving revenue collection and financial management in local authorities.

“The goal is to ensure that councils are able to understand and optimise their revenue streams so that they can become more self-sustaining,” Mr Chinyama said.

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