Industry Minister Noel Nkoma has declared that Zambia's 2027 National Budget will be measured by results, not by speeches, telling a Lusaka dinner audience on 7 November 2026 that the proof will be in the businesses that grow and the jobs that materialise.
Speaking at the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) 2027 Post-Budget Analysis Dinner, Nkoma said the budget is the Government's most powerful tool for driving national development because it reflects the country's priorities and policy direction,
No more empty promises, says Minister
According to
What is the Grow Zambia Agenda?
The 2027 Budget was presented by Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane on Friday, 6 November 2026, and carries a price tag of K284.8 billion, with the Government planning to finance 82.1 percent of it through domestic revenue, an approach that will please Zambians who want our national purse controlled from Lusaka, not from foreign capitals. The
ZICA: the budget must change lives, not just numbers
ZICA President Joseph Matimba said the Budget comes at an important time as Zambia seeks to consolidate macroeconomic stability while stimulating investment and addressing the challenges facing ordinary people.
He named the cost of living, unemployment, poverty, energy security and low productivity as the areas needing sustained attention.
The National Budget must therefore be assessed not only in terms of fiscal allocations and policy measures, but also in terms of its ability to stimulate productive economic activity, support enterprise development and improve the livelihoods of ordinary Zambians.
Matimba added that a stronger manufacturing base, increased local production and greater value addition are essential to creating jobs, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening Zambia's competitiveness in regional and international markets.
That last point matters to every Zambian who has watched raw copper leave our soil and finished goods come back at triple the price. Local production and value addition are how this country stops working for others and starts working for itself.
Growth targets for 2027
Zambia aims to keep economic growth around 5 percent in 2027 while halving the budget deficit, which swelled this year on fuel tax cuts and higher-than-projected spending, according to
Accountants as watchdogs
ZICA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Bwembya said the National Budget is more than a statement of revenue and expenditure, reflecting national aspirations and providing a framework for stimulating investment, supporting industrial development and creating employment.
Through sound financial management, transparency, accountability and professional advice, our members contribute to strengthening public financial management, supporting business growth and building confidence in our economy.
Bwembya's words are a reminder that Zambian professionals, not foreign advisors, hold the keys to our public finances. The men and women of ZICA keep the books honest, and their voice deserves a seat at every table where our money is discussed.
What happens next
The test now moves from Parliament to the factory floor, the farm and the mine. Nkoma has set the standard himself: businesses that grow, investments that materialise, jobs that last. Zambia will be watching, and in 2027 the results will speak louder than any budget speech.
FAQ
When was Zambia's 2027 Budget presented?
Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane presented the K284.8 billion National Budget for 2027 on Friday, 6 November 2026.
What did Minister Noel Nkoma say about the 2027 Budget?
Speaking at the ZICA Post-Budget Analysis Dinner in Lusaka on 7 November 2026, Nkoma said the Budget will be judged by the businesses that grow, the investments that materialise and the jobs created, not by pronouncements.
How will the 2027 Budget be financed?
The Government plans to finance 82.1 percent of the 2027 Budget through domestic revenue, according to the Zambian Observer.
What growth target has Zambia set for 2027?
According to CNBC Africa, citing the finance minister, Zambia aims to keep economic growth around 5 percent in 2027 while halving the budget deficit.