By Angela Moonga
Finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane says the K21.4 billion that was disbursed by the government in the month of September, 2025 is evidence of a living and working budget.
And Musokotwane said the government spent K73 million last month for geological surveys to enhance mineral resources mapping in order to attract investment in the mining sector
In a press statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by the Office of Secretary to Treasury Felix Nkulukusa, Musokotwane stated that every Kwacha released was a promise fulfilled, salaries paid, roads built, debts cleared and families supported through the Social Cash Transfer, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and community grants.
According to the statement, K10.2 billion of the K21.4 billion disbursed, was channeled towards domestic and external arrears; K5.2 billion for Public Service wage bill; K3.4 billion of transfers, subsidies, and social benefits.
The K10.2 billion on debt accounted for K3.1 billion in domestic arrears, K371.3 million towards external debt and K6.7 billion for dismantling arrears. He stated that this was done in order to rebuild the fiscal space, restoring market confidence and reducing the burden of legacy arrears on the private sector and the broader economy.
He stated that K1.5 billion financed programme implementation and general operations and K1 billion supported capital expenditure across strategic infrastructure sectors.
K2.5 billion was disbursed to support social protection, agriculture and decentralised service delivery, which benefited grant aided institutions such as schools, hospitals and universities to the tune of K1.2 billion, K900 million to Food Reserve Agency for maize purchase, K656.8 million for Social Cash Transfer programme, K24.9 million as grants to the local authorities, and K200 for CDF.
K1.5 billion was released to facilitate the implementation of programmes and general operations across ministries, provinces and spending agencies.
“Key expenditure included K49 million for Voter Registration and K73 million for geological surveys to enhance resource mapping and attract investment in the mining sector,” Nkulukusa stated.
He stated that K1.0 billion was spent on capital projects, reflecting the government’s continued focus on infrastructure led growth, of which K590.4 was for roads, K284.1 million for water, sanitation and health infrastructure and K161 million for upgrading provincial airports to enhance connectivity and promote regional trade.
On the K5.2 billion for personal emoluments, Dr Musokotwane argued that timely payment of salaries remained a key pillar in maintaining morale and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery across the country.
