Navigating challenges and enhancing effectiveness : a comprehensive analysis of Zambia's social cash transfer programme for poverty alleviation

Abstract

Zambia is one of the countries with the highest levels of poverty and inequality with approximately 60.5% of the population living below the poverty line. Rural areas are more affected, with 82% living in poverty compared to 18% in urban areas. To combat this, Zambia's Vision 2030 aims to reduce the national poverty rate to below 20% and the government has implemented the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme since 2003 to provide cash benefits to vulnerable households. Development partners such the World Bank, the governments of the United Kingdom and Sweden among others have provided financing for the SCT programme. However, the current programme faces challenges such as dependence on external aid, limited coverage, the poverty trap, sustainability, inadequate funding, targeting errors, corruption, and high administration costs. This policy analysis argues the need for the government to promote entrepreneurial skills and capacity building for the beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer as opposed to continually disbursing funds to them.