By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
Cabinet has approved Zambia’s contribution to the Seventeenth Replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF), in a move aimed at demonstrating the country’s commitment to sustaining the Fund.
Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, said the approval was made during the 25th Cabinet Meeting chaired by Republican President, Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday this week.
Mr. Mweetwa revealed that the decision follows Zambia’s pledge made during the Seventeenth African Development Fund Third Consultation Meeting, held from 7th to 9th October 2025.
“As a recipient of funds from the ADF financing window, Zambia pledged to contribute funds to the ADF during the hosting of the Seventeenth African Development Fund Third Consultation Meeting held from 7th to 9th October, 2025,” Mr. Mweetwa explained.
He noted that the ADF operates on a replenishment cycle every three years, which is undertaken with the support of Development Partners.
The African Development Fund is the concessional financing arm of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group and supports 37 low-income and fragile countries across Africa through investments in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, regional integration, governance and climate resilience.
Since its establishment in 1972, the ADF has invested over US$45 billion, delivering tangible development results across some of the continent’s most vulnerable economies.
During the same meeting, Cabinet also approved the Competitive Procurement Framework for Private Sector Investment in Renewable Energy, aimed at streamlining project development and enhancing access to financing.
The Chief Government Spokesperson, who is also Minister of Information and Media, explained that the development of the Competitive Procurement Framework responds to Zambia’s commitment to establish a transparent, standardized and sustainable mechanism for attracting private sector investment in renewable energy projects.
“The Framework aims to provide clear rules and processes for project selection, procurement and implementation, thereby ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness and fiscal discipline in the delivery of new generation capacity,” he stressed.
According to Government, the Framework further enhances investor confidence by introducing bankable structures such as the Renewable Energy Liquidity Mechanism and standard project agreements, while promoting inclusive participation of Zambian citizens in the renewable energy value chain.
