Govt Urged to Improve Communication of Policy Changes for Economic Growth
Zambia’s government is being urged to enhance the communication of policy changes to foster economic growth, with experts highlighting the need for a more inclusive and transparent approach.
Economic expert Kelvin Chisanga emphasized that while Zambia has made significant strides in policy frameworks, consistent communication remains a critical gap.
Mr. Chisanga noted that in recent years, Zambia has shown strong commitment to revising key policy structures, creating favorable conditions for business investment. However, the lack of clarity and frequent policy shifts, particularly in the mining sector, have impeded growth. For instance, policy changes in the mining sector have occurred over 15 times in the last decade, which has negatively impacted the country’s ability to compete with neighboring countries like the DR Congo in copper production.
“There is a need for clear and consistent communication of policy changes, especially in sectors that drive growth like mining and SMEs. The lack of alignment and clarity on policies has resulted in underperformance in key sectors,” Mr. Chisanga explained.
He further emphasized the importance of involving multiple stakeholders in the policy formulation process. An inclusive approach, he argued, would ensure that policies align with both economic realities and growth-driven incentives.
Mr. Chisanga concluded by calling for a more proactive effort by the government to engage with the public and economic agents, ensuring that policies are communicated effectively and can be translated into tangible outcomes for Zambia’s development.
