Lusaka Mayor Hails UNECA for Council Fiscal Space Expansion Project, Calls for Digital Financial Tools
Lusaka Mayor, Her Worship Ms. Chilando Chitangala, has commended the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) for its support in helping the Lusaka City Council enhance its fiscal space through the DA-15 project.
Speaking at a two-day expert group meeting in Livingstone, aimed at validating the Lusaka City Council’s Financial Assessment Report (FAR), Ms. Chitangala described the partnership as both timely and relevant for the city’s financial growth.
The Mayor highlighted that key revenue streams, such as billboards, business levy fees, and land rates, remain vital for the city. However, she noted that the lack of efficient digital tools for data collection and the rapid growth of unplanned settlements have been significant obstacles in broadening the city’s revenue base.
Ms. Chitangala emphasized that these issues have led to substantial revenue losses, hindering the Council’s ability to improve service delivery to residents.
She expressed confidence that through collaboration with UNECA, Lusaka City Council would be able to develop integrated, user-friendly, and sustainable revenue collection systems, critical for achieving both national and global development goals.
Nairobi City County Governor, H.E. James Njoroge Muchiri, supported the Mayor’s call for effective revenue collection tools, stressing the importance of maintaining leakage-free systems and proper financial record-keeping, especially as both Lusaka and Nairobi face rapid urban expansion.
H.E. Muchiri also advocated for stronger Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and the creation of city research units as practical measures to help local governments expand their fiscal capabilities.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator to Zambia, Ms. Beatrice Muthali, acknowledged the challenges urbanization poses, noting that Zambia’s urban population, currently at 42%, is expected to increase by 50% by 2030 and 60% by 2050.
She praised Zambia’s government for its efforts to create an environment conducive to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11, within the framework of the 8th National Development Plan.
The DA-15 project aims to enhance the financial management capacities of African municipalities, helping them develop and implement policies to expand and strengthen urban fiscal space as part of broader national recovery efforts.
Through this initiative, cities like Lusaka are being equipped with the tools necessary to build resilient, sustainable urban environments.
