UN Zambia Annual Results Report 2025

In the year marking the United Nations’ 80th Anniversary, 2025 emerged as one of the most testing periods for the people in Zambia. The country faced a convergence of environmental and economic pressures, with widespread power shortages triggered by the devastating 2024 drought, resulting in shrinking across many sectors of the economy. Although the GDP in 2025 was expected to grow to around 5.8%, up from 3.8% recorded in 2024, the growth did not lead to poverty reduction. In 2025, poverty levels remained high at around 60% with commodity prices continuing to rise, despite inflation dropping to 12.3% from around 16% in 2024. The electricity crisis starkly revealed the country’s vulnerability to its heavy dependency on hydropower and traditional farming systems. 

The increased geographical tension, unforeseen climate impact, and shifts in global financing demanded extraordinary agility and unity from the United Nations Country Team. What began as a year of crisis slowly became a strong demonstration of national resilience and collaborative determination. 

Guided by the Eighth National Development Plan and our Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027), the UN in Zambia moved decisively from emergency response to driving deeper systemic transformation. This shift enabled us not only to address immediate needs but also to help lay the foundation for long-term sustainability, equity, and resilience. 

Significant progress was made across all areas of our work. In advancing prosperity and green growth, we continued to champion Zambia’s Just Energy Transition, supporting efforts to align climate action with industrial growth so that the transition to a low-carbon economy generates decent jobs as well as accelerating the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. To improve livelihoods and productive capacities, our support reached over 72,100 smallholder farmers with climate-smart agricultural training, while 30,000 households received drought-tolerant seed packs. These were critical interventions that protected livelihoods and helped safeguard future harvests. 

Even amid economic difficulty, investments in people remained unwavering. Zambia sustained uninterrupted national vaccine availability throughout the year, and through the “Big CatchUp,” more than 461,000 zero-dose children were reached with lifesaving immunization services. Advances in maternal and newborn health were equally encouraging, with notable reductions in neonatal prematurity and birth asphyxia, reflecting strengthened health systems and improved service delivery. 

Our commitment to leaving no one behind was reinforced through expanded social protection, delivering regular cash assistance to 1.3 million households. An additional 60,000 vulnerable families were enrolled for health coverage under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIMA). We also deepened engagement with young people, equipping more than 14,000 youth with entrepreneurial skills and digital literacy, enhancing their opportunities for meaningful participation in the economy. 

I extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Zambia, our development partners, private sector, civil society, and the people in Zambia for their steadfast collaboration. As we look to 2026, the UN remains committed to accelerating the impact, leveraging data from the recent Population and Housing Census to ensure precision in planning, policy formulation and delivery. Together, we are building a Zambia that is not only more resilient to future shocks but is emerging as a regional model for sustainable development. Beatrice Mutali United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia.

Beatrice Mutali

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia