The Emerging Themes Unit researches on various interdisciplinary and cross-cutting issues relevant to policy and sustainable development. The Unit provides sound policy analysis and research in areas such as Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Development.

The Human Development Unit researches in areas of poverty, education, health, labour markets and other social sectors. The unit provides a resource base on objectively researched policy issues in the social sector in Zambia, and to build capacity in social policy analysis, especially in Government and the private sector.

The Public Finance Unit’s overall goal is to improve public policy for growth through policy analysis and research. It focusses on the analysis of public expenditure management, domestic and public external debt, and tax policy.

The overall goal of the Macroeconomics Unit is to improve public policy for growth, equity and poverty reduction through macroeconomic policy analysis and research. It focuses on the analysis of pertinent macroeconomic policy issues such as interest rates, inflation, and exchange rate movements; domestic and external public debt.

The Trade and Investment Unit researches domestic and international trade policy issues. The main objective of the unit is to strengthen Zambia’s capacity in identifying suitable domestic trade reforms. The unit further supports the development of appropriate investment policies while encouraging regional cooperation and international trade policy dialogue.

The Transport and Infrastructure Development Unit focuses on issues relating to the development  and provision of physical infrastructure and transport services. The sub-sectors the unit focuses on include: Transportation, information and communications technology, solid waste management, construction, housing and amenities, water and energy infrastructure.