Press Release: JCTR’s Expectations as the President Opens the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly on September 13th 2024

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) outlines key expectations for the President’s address to Parliament as Zambia faces significant socio-economic challenges in 2024. The economy has been strained by a severe drought, leading to a decline in agricultural output, slow recovery in copper production, and persistent power outages. While Zambia has secured a $6.3 billion debt restructuring deal, the country remains burdened by over $14 billion in public debt, limiting resources for crucial social investments. JCTR urges the President to focus on debt management, economic diversification, poverty alleviation, and inflation control, with emphasis on improving agricultural productivity, energy access, and social protection programs. The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is seen as a vital tool for local development, with expectations of enhanced transparency and community participation. The address is expected to offer strategies for mitigating the drought’s impact and addressing the rising cost of living, particularly through renewable energy and social safety net programs, to aid vulnerable households.