Zambia creates six additional ministries
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Mwebantu
Zambia’s Parliament has approved a reorganisation increasing the number of ministries from 24 to 30. The changes separate electricity and petroleum, as well as trade and industry, to improve public administration and support growth, according to Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, cited by Mwebantu.
Zambia’s Parliament approved a reorganisation on Tuesday 27 October that increases the number of ministries from 24 to 30, according to Mwebantu. Vice-President Mutale Nalumango put forward the motion after a formal request from President Hakainde Hichilema, in accordance with the Constitution.
The reform splits the Ministry of Energy into two portfolios: Electricity and Petroleum. The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry will be divided into Trade and Exports on the one hand and Industry on the other. Education will be separated from Skills and Higher Education, while Youth, Sport and Arts will become two separate ministries: Youth and Sport, and Culture and Arts.
Mutale Nalumango justified the reorganisation as a way to improve public services, accelerate economic growth and align government action with the “Grow Zambia” programme. Parliamentary approval allows President Hichilema to appoint ministers responsible for the new portfolios. It follows his request for a reorganisation of the ministries, presented to Parliament the previous day as part of a plan to merge and abolish portfolios.
