ZIPAR

It was a great occasion to meet, exchange ideas, and learn from one another at the just-ended On Think Tanks Conference 2026 held from 20th to 21st May 2026 in Rabat, Morocco.

ZIPAR Business Development Manager Mr. Emmanuel Muma and Director Finance Ms. Charity Besa represented ZIPAR at this important global platform hosted and supported by the community and the .

The conference brought together a unique diversity of people from across the globe. Beyond the formal programme, the community itself offered extraordinary opportunities to gain insights, context, wisdom, and factual knowledge on politics, economics, culture, beliefs, work, and everyday life across many different regions.

Among the key discussions were the importance of mobilising domestic funding for think tanks, exploring what think tanks can do to strengthen institutional sustainability, and the growing need for strategic alliances that enhance knowledge impact, collaboration, and sustainable funding models. These conversations highlighted the critical role think tanks continue to play in shaping evidence-based policy, regional cooperation, and long-term development outcomes.

The sessions were not the only occasions for professional learning and intellectual enrichment; the moments in between were equally valuable, creating meaningful connections and opportunities for collaboration.

ZIPAR was also honoured to be nominated as the number one think tank in Zambia during the recognition of the most influential local think tanks.

Heartfelt appreciation goes to the organisers and everyone involved in making this remarkable possible. Gratitude also goes to all the visible and invisible supporters both on-site and remotely who contributed towards this incredible experience.

Looking forward to continuing these engagements and hopefully being part of the OTT community again at OTTC 2027 in Barcelona, Spain.

How can refugee, former-refugee, and host-community farmers be integrated into commercially viable agricultural value chains?

This morning, ZIPAR presented the Summary Assessment Report on the Agricultural Roadmap for Rural Settlement Areas Hosting Forcibly Displaced People and Local Communities in Zambia during a Validation Workshop held at The Quorum in Lusaka.

The workshop brought together Government, UNHCR, development partners, private sector players, and other stakeholders to review and validate the assessment findings, while exploring practical pathways for strengthening agricultural productivity, market integration, livelihoods, and economic inclusion in Meheba, Mayukwayukwa, and Mantapala settlements.

The full report will be shared in due course.

From 11th to 15th May 2026, key stakeholders from Government, research institutions, academia, and the development community convened for the "Design Thinking Workshop for Results Measurement in Zambia" to strengthen the country's approach to measuring, tracking, and reporting social and economic transformation under the Country Economic Transformation Outlook (CETO) Phase II programme.

Convened by the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) in collaboration with African Center for Economic Transformation and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the five-day engagement focused on strengthening Zambia’s national results measurement framework in alignment with Vision 2030, the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The workshop provided a platform for technical discussions and collaborative design sessions focused on refining theories of change across the 8NDP clusters, strengthening outcome and impact indicators, improving reporting systems, and developing more coherent approaches to measuring progress in transformation and development.

Speaking during the opening session, ZIPAR Interim Executive Director Mr Zali Chikuba emphasised that sustainable economic transformation “cannot merely be measured by economic growth figures alone,” but must also be reflected in “improved productivity, quality employment, stronger institutions, resilience, innovation, and improved welfare outcomes for citizens.” He further noted that as Zambia transitions from policy diagnosis to implementation under CETO Phase II, strengthening policy delivery systems and results tracking will be critical to ensuring that development priorities translate into tangible outcomes for citizens.

Director for National Planning at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Mr. Davison Mapiza, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems, noting that effective development planning requires the ability to “measure results effectively, track progress consistently, and generate evidence to inform policy decisions and resource allocation.” He further stressed the importance of moving beyond indicators that simply measure activities undertaken toward systems capable of capturing actual transformational change experienced by citizens.

The workshop marked an important step toward strengthening evidence-based planning, institutional coordination, accountability, and results-oriented implementation as Zambia advances the implementation of the 8NDP and preparations for the 9NDP.
ZIPAR extends sincere appreciation to all participating institutions, facilitators, technical experts, and stakeholders for their valuable contributions and commitment throughout the engagements.

Did Zambia’s transport infrastructure investments between 2010–2020 deliver value for money?

On behalf of Developing Transport Solutions ltd and the UK International Development through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Evidence Fund , ZIPAR has published a new report taking a closer look at the economic impact of major road and airport investments across Zambia.

The findings highlight critical lessons on infrastructure planning, public investment management, debt sustainability, and the long-term importance of balancing expansion with maintenance.

While some projects generated positive economic returns, the study also reveals the high cost of inefficient investment decisions and underinvestment in road maintenance.

The report provides evidence-based recommendations to strengthen transparency, accountability, and economic efficiency in future infrastructure development.

Click on the link to access the full report: https://rb.gy/mp8xa1

Economic Shockwaves from the Middle East and Their Impact on Zambia

The Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) participated in the First Quarter 2026 National Development Coordinating Committee (NDCC) Meeting, where national stakeholders discussed progress on the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and emerging risks and challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

During the meeting, ZIPAR’s Interim Executive Director, Mr Zali Bryson Chikuba, delivered a special presentation on the economic implications of the ongoing US/Israel–Iran conflict on Zambia’s economy. The presentation highlighted how the conflict has evolved into a major global economic shock, driven by disruptions in energy markets, rising oil prices, global trade uncertainty, and increased transport and logistics costs.

The presentation showed that Zambia remains highly vulnerable to global fuel shocks due to its dependence on imported petroleum products, particularly from the Middle East. Since the escalation of the conflict, global crude oil prices have risen sharply, with domestic diesel prices increasing from K29.78 per litre in April to K33.99 in May 2026. The analysis further noted that if the conflict persists, Zambia’s growth prospects are likely to weaken, while inflation is projected to rise to approximately 9%, driven mainly by higher fuel and transport costs.

Further, the sectoral analysis revealed that the retail sector accounts for more than 97% of unleaded petrol consumption and over 40% of diesel consumption, implying that fuel price increases are quickly transmitted into transport costs, food prices, and the broader cost of living. Using the MicroZAMOD model, ZIPAR’s analysis showed that the fuel price shock could worsen extreme poverty from 48.6% to 51.9%, highlighting the disproportionate burden on poor and vulnerable households.

The presentation also underscored the risks to Zambia’s trade position, external sector stability, and household welfare, while emphasising the need for targeted policy responses to cushion vulnerable households, protect macroeconomic stability, and strengthen Zambia’s resilience to external shocks.

📌 Check out the detailed policy brief, which will be uploaded soon.

Yesterday’s edition of the Times of Zambia featured the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR), highlighting Zambia’s economic resilience amid global shocks.

ZIPAR remains committed to providing evidence-based policy research that supports sustainable economic growth and national development.

Yesterday, ZIPAR held a meeting with the ZANACO team to explore areas of strategic collaboration. The discussion highlighted opportunities for joint efforts that can deliver sustainable value for both institutions.

We believe collaborations enable stronger, more impactful outcomes than working in isolation.

On this day, we celebrate the people behind ZIPAR's work, the dedicated team whose commitment continues to shape Zambia’s economic future.

Behind every policy brief, every research insight, and every recommendation is a team driven by purpose, professionalism, and a shared vision for national development. From rigorous analysis to meaningful stakeholder engagement, the work of ZIPAR reflects not just expertise, but a deep sense of responsibility to serve the public good.

Today is a moment to recognise that progress is built through collective effort. The strength of ZIPAR lies in its people, their ideas, collaboration, and dedication to evidence-based policymaking.

As we mark this day, we honour the value of work, the dignity it brings, and the impact it creates. Together, we remain committed to advancing policies that foster inclusive growth and sustainable development for Zambia.

Happy Labour Day.

Happy Labour Day!

Today, we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and resilience that drive our communities and economies forward. May this day be a reminder of the value of your efforts and the importance of fair, safe, and rewarding work for all.

Wishing you a restful and meaningful Labour Day!

What will Zambia’s transport future look like?

From congestion challenges to clean energy opportunities, new scenario insights show that smart planning today unlocks a more sustainable tomorrow
We are proud to have contributed to the development of this policy brief alongside our partners, advancing evidence-based insights on Zambia’s transport and energy future

Click on the link to read the full brief: https://zipar.org.zm/document/future-scenarios-for-transport-and-energy-transitions-in-zambia/