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Taxation of the Informal Sector in Zambia

In the recent past, there have been various debates about the need to tax the informal sector for revenue purposes as well as a way of equitably distributing the tax burden..Read More

Repeating History-Removal of User fees for health care in Zambia

The new Patriotic Front (PF) government has extended to urban areas the abolition of user fees for health care in Zambia which previously only existed in rural areas..Read More

The Evolution of the Informal Sector and Its Implications for Tax Policy in Zambia

In the recent past, there have been various debates about the need to raise more domestic revenue in light of the steady drop in the external donor support to the national budget and also the failure of the tax system to raise suficient revenue Read More

Zambian Fiscal Performance 2002 – 2007

The paper shows how, following decades of unsustainable fiscal deficits, Zambia’s fiscal performance has been transformed since 2004. The combination of rapid GDP growth, reduced public expenditure, increased mining taxation and debt relief helped Government establish fiscal discipline and reduce fiscal deficits and debt to sustainable levels....Read More

The Crisis in the Zambian Road Sector

Despite rehabilitation of the paved network and a substantial increase in funding in recent years, the roads sector inherited by the PF Government is in a state of crisis. While the institutional problems at RDA are well known following the Auditor General’s investigation, there is little awareness of the fundamental economic and financial problems facing the sector which are responsible for the continuing deterioration of most of the (unpaved) network ....Read More download Powerpoint Presentation

Why Adding Value to Copper does NOT make sense for Zambia

Many Zambians believe that the country can significantly increase its income and job creation by adding further value to copper before it is exported...Read More

The Urbanization Dilemma: How rapid population expansion could clog up Zambia’s main cities.

Zambia’s urban population is growing dramatically, driven by perceptions of better economic opportunities, infrastructure and services in urban areas. Areas like Lusaka, Kitwe and so on are getting overwhelmed and growth gauging from poorly planned residential settlements, tariff jams, etc. are failing to cope with the population...Read More

Should the Zambian Government Invest in Railways?

Until the 1990s nearly all Zambia’s foreign trade was transported by rail. Today trucks are the dominant transport mode. The resulting damage to Zambia’s roads and concerns over congestion, safety and environmental damage have led to widespread calls for the Government to act to reverse the switch from road to rail. This paper questions the case for public investment in the railways... Read More download PowerPoint Presentation

How to Reduce Zambia's Fuel Costs

Zambian fuel costs are among the highest in the world. In recent years there have been increasing calls for fuel taxation to be reduced in order to bring pump prices down. However, reducing taxation is not a solution because it simply reduces government revenue. This paper argues that there is a much more effective and sustainable solution to the problem of high prices... Read More download PowerPoint Presentation

About ZIPAR

The Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) is a semi-autonomous Institute established by the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) to meet the increasing demand for sound economic policy formulation and management in Zambia. This think Tank is mandated to:

Conduct research in the area of economic policy formulation, analysis, management and monitoring thereby providing evidence –based economic policy advice to the Public and Private Sectors and Civil Society.

Promote policy dialogue between Government and Stakeholders to facilitate an inclusive process in the planning and management of economic affairs of Zambia for sustainable development.

Strengthen analytical capacities in the public sector, civil society and private sector through needs based training and dissemination. Read More..

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