Lusaka, Zambia – Acting Auditor General Dr. Ron Mwambwa delivered a compelling message at PwC Zambia’s inaugural Donor Landscape Survey Event yesterday, urging a shift in Zambia’s approach to donor dependency and public spending. The high-level discussion brought together key stakeholders, including donors, government officials, and development partners, to assess Zambia’s economic trajectory amid changing global aid trends.
Dr. Mwambwa emphasized that Zambia must strengthen its financial accountability to reduce reliance on foreign aid. His remarks followed PwC’s Government and Public Sector Leader, Charity Mulenga, who highlighted that Auditor General reports consistently reveal significant wasteful expenditure, proving that Zambia has the resources to fund its own development if managed effectively.
“The withdrawal of traditional donors should not be seen as a crisis but as an opportunity for Zambia to take ownership of its economic future,” Dr. Mwambwa stated. He called for stricter oversight in public procurement, real-time budget monitoring, and stronger consequences for financial mismanagement.
The World Bank’s Country Manager, Achim Fock, reinforced the need for human capital investment, presenting data that links education and skills development to long-term economic growth. Meanwhile, Mulenga challenged the narrative that Zambia is a poor country, citing inefficiencies rather than lack of resources as the primary barrier to progress.
The event has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many Zambians calling for greater transparency in government spending. As debates continue, the Auditor General’s Office is expected to release a special audit report tracking donor fund utilization, which could shape future fiscal policies.
