Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa with a population of approximately 18 million.
Around ten times the size of Ireland, Zambia is classified as a lower-middle income country.
This follows a period of impressive economic growth. Despite this, inequality is extremely high and deep poverty persists. Enormous challenges remain and the middle-income trap of stagnation is a real risk.
Reducing poverty and inequality remains the biggest challenge facing the country. This is particularly the case in rural areas. The impact of climate change poses an enormous challenge to Zambia.
Ireland’s link with Zambia
Ireland opened an embassy in Zambia in 1980. We work with a variety of partners, including the Government, the UN and NGOs to support people. Our priorities include gender equality, education, climate change and social protection.
Ireland's development work in Zambia covers four main policy areas:
Background
Zambia is one of the most stable and peaceful countries in southern Africa. Ireland has a long tradition of missionary and development work in the country. Zambia became independent from Great Britain in 1964. It has been a multiparty democracy since 1991.
Agriculture remains the most dominant sector of the economy. However, most agricultural households have low productivity.
Poor agricultural practices and lack of access to markets and credit hamper farming communities in Zambia. The country's reliance on small-scale farming makes it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Gender equality
Ireland works with partners to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and to provide support to survivors. This support includes speeding up the process of bringing GBV-related cases to trial.
Tackling social norms is key for reducing the risk to women. We engage community leaders, including men and boys, to tackle the root causes of GBV.
Gender equality also means ensuring women and girls have equal opportunities.
We support programmes that help keep girls in school and women to earn income. Our support for girls' education includes funding school fees and the cost of uniforms, books and transport.
Climate change
Ireland is working in Zambia to improve climate-smart production methods.
We work with small farmers, especially women, to help them increase the value and the nutrients of their crops. This includes supporting the development of supply chain models from production to processing and marketing.
Education
Ireland believes that quality education is essential to unlocking a country’s potential. Our work in Zambia prioritises support girls and orphaned and vulnerable children.
We also provide support to girls and vulnerable youths to access skills training. This training helps them to get jobs and build entrepreneurship.
Transforming forest protection and women’s land rights
Cutting down trees for timber was one of the only ways people in Zambezi and Chavuma districts could earn money. This was unsustainable and had negative environmental consequences.
Self-sufficient communities
Now, thanks to an Ireland-supported project, people in Zambezi are able to provide for their families by producing honey and mushrooms. The project is run by a community organisation called Save Environment and People Agency (SEPA).
A group of 25 women and five men have been trained in beekeeping. They have also been given beekeeping equipment, including hives and protective clothing.
The group has now become a registered cooperative society. They have opened a bank account for business savings. Soon they will expand into poultry production.
Group member, Samukonga Matha, sums up what these changes have meant for her and her colleagues: “We can see a light at the end of the tunnel," she says.
Social protection
Ireland is supporting a social protection programme in Zambia which provides cash transfers to poor households. This cash helps families to provide for themselves, along with helping to put children through school.