By Mary Kasoka Mwiikisa

Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane has presented a K253.1 billion proposed National Budget for 2026, an increase of K36 billion from the 2025 allocation of K217.1 billion.
Delivering the budget in the National Assembly, Dr. Musokotwane said the 2026 plan, themed “Consolidating Economic and Social Gains Towards a Prosperous, Resilient and Equitable Zambia,” represents 27.4% of GDP and aligns with the 8th National Development Plan.
The budget will be financed through domestic revenue and external sources, including grants. Key macroeconomic targets include:
Real GDP growth of at least 6.4%, Inflation reduced to within the 6-8% target band and International reserves raised above $4 billion.
For environmental enthusiasts, the focus is on the allocated K1,574,415,347 representing 0.6% on the total budget.
Sustainability Champion and Chief Executive Officer of Bridges to Prosperity Nachilala Nkombo describes the allocation towards environmental protection as low saying, “Allocation of 0.6 of the national budget is way below what the economy needs to effectively respond to a myriad of environmental challenges it faces . For many years environmental sustainability has been affected by limited resources allocated to regulatory agencies to enforce regulations. This is a drop in the ocean compared to investments made towards climate action in countries like Rwanda that budgets about 8% of its total national budget . The funds will not resolve the challenge mining pollution changes we face which also increase with increased mining activities projected”.
Ms Nkombo adds that “Last years budget allocated funds for investment in early warning system , this years budget does the same. Climate change has disproportionately affected SMEs, agriculture and rural communities- the government missed the opportunity to create impact by not creating and ring fencing resources to tackle climate change head on . Effective climate action requires investment in early warning, reskilling of the population in area of agriculture, energy and infrastructure plus investment in resilience infrastructure at scale . Budget implementation must be more targeted in these area if this budget will start building resilience to climate shocks”.
She however notes that the increased Constituency Development Fund from K36.1 million to K40 million is gives hope for intentional focus and implementation of green projects in order to close the gap in environmental protection.
Meanwhile, Prospero Limited Chief Executive Officer Mutumbi Mundia, has weighed in on the matter emphasizing the need to galvanize other sources of revenue in order to achieve sustainable development.
“I have always argued that one needs to look at more lines than the one. So in this regard I would be looking into the allocation for the tourism, water and sanitation and perhaps nearly all sectors to pick out sustainable efforts captured elsewhere. The capital needed is colossal and our goal must be to attract green investments to choose Zambia as a preferred destination. We must position strong, and to do so we have to master the art of various actors such as government, public sector, private sector, and individuals working together. There is no room for solo mindsets that imagine they can do this alone.
Ms Mundia has further called for increased education on environmental issues among the general public in order to achieve what the Country needs.
“We must educate the masses about climate change effects and how best we can adapt or mitigate. Some reforms towards sustainability call for individual and household level practices to change. Separation of waste at home, stop burning waste…”