A Drive Towards Decentralisation: Zambia’s Success Story

Zambia has been working towards decentralisation since gaining independence in 1964. Decentralisation involves the transfer of power and authority to local bodies separate from the central government. This has taken different forms – political, administrative (deconcentration, delegation, and devolution), fiscal and economic/market (privatisation and deregulation) – at various stages of the country’s political history. These stages can be divided into three republics: the First Republic (1964-1972), the Second Republic (1973-1990), and the Third Republic (1991 to present). Each phase has contributed unique elements to Zambia’s decentralisation success story. Political and administrative forms of decentralisation were first seen in the first and second republics. Political decentralisation was seen in the reform and development of the inherited provincial and district government system as part of the 1965 Local Government Reforms. Administrative forms of decentralisation were adopted after the introduction of the Mulungushi and Matero Economic Reforms of 1968 and 1969, respectively, through the creation of statutory boards to handle specific functions. In the second republic, the 1980 Local Government Reforms influenced the Zambian decentralisation project within the context of the one-party state, with minimal emphasis on devolution. The third republic was characterised by the enactment of the 1991 Local Government Act, with emphasis on fiscal decentralisation for effective and efficient delivery of services by local authorities. During the third republic, the path towards devolution is traced after strengthening the local government system. Economic/market decentralisation (privatisation and deregulation) was witnessed after a shift from nationalisation to the adoption of liberal policies in 1991. The decentralisation model in Zambia has seen, among other things, reduced central government involvement in carrying out certain functions, increased involvement of the private sector in the provision of public services, enhanced community participation in decision making and improved provision of services by local authorities.