Zambia 

Introduction

The Republic of Zambia is a unitary state in southern Africa. It is landlocked and shares boundaries with eight other countries – Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has a land area of 740,724 sq km1 and a population of 11,477,447. 

Local government comprises 72 local district councils. Local government expenditure contributed 0.7 per cent to GDP in 2002. 

Summary

Local government in Zambia operates within a ‘tight/loose’ style of control from central government. While it is not unheard-of for councils to be suspended, current government policy is to move towards a stronger role for citizens with the proposed introduction of directly elected mayors and, ultimately, a devolved system of local government. 

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