The Ministry of Finance and National Planning has successfully hosted a high-level engagement for finance ministers at the country’s embassy in the United States of America, Washington D.C. aimed at encouraging water and sanitation to be treated as a critical economic priority.

The gathering aimed to highlight water and sanitation as integral to Zambia’s economic agenda, not mere social-sector add-ons.

Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane who was the keynote speaker at the meeting, emphasised that water security will continue to be given the priority it deserves in fiscal frameworks.

Dr Musokotwane noted that while Zambia has increased allocations to the sector, financing gaps remain significant relative to development targets as well as demand.

He also highlighted that Zambia was moving towards an inclusive approach that combines fiscal prioritisation, decentralised financing like the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), among other positive efforts to attract private capital.

Dr Musokotwane noted that this was being actualised through improved governance alongside project management in the country.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Permanent Secretary for Economic Management and Finance, Mulele Mulele  called for water security to be elevated further as an integral economic priority.

“Countries that fail to secure water, will struggle to sustain growth, manage inflation and protect livelihoods,” he said.

Mr Mulele highlighted the strong need to strengthen water utilities through improved governance and efforts among others to reduce losses, further calling for greater use of concessional financing and domestic resources.

The meeting which was held on the sidelines of the ongoing Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), brought together key stakeholders from the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership.

The initiative was attended by finance ministers and senior officials in the sector from Zambia, Malawi, Chad, and other countries.

This development also underscores Zambia’s commitment to promoting economic growth and development, while also addressing critical social and environmental issues.

This was made available in a statement issued to ZANIS by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Office of the Treasurer.