2026 Budget Expectations

As Zambia moves toward the 2026 fiscal year next month, the national budget is expected to focus on consolidating economic recovery and gains while maintaining fiscal discipline, though challenging environment as elections set to take place alongside.

Key expectations include enhanced domestic revenue mobilization, a narrowed fiscal deficit, and sustained investment in social sectors such as health, education and social protection.

Priority will also be given to infrastructure development and agricultural reforms, while efforts to stabilize inflation and reduce debt vulnerabilities continue.

However, risks remain around debt servicing pressures, global commodity price volatility, election based expense and climate-related shocks still affecting agriculture outlook patterns.