With Zambia setting the stage for economic recovery, the National Budget of 2017 is certainly not short on measures to protect the vulnerable from the adverse effects of possible austerity under the Zambia Plus Economic Recovery Programme. With real growth projected at 3.4% in 2017, Zambia continues to face tough economic conditions. In response to these unfavorable economic conditions, the 2017 National Budget had reprioritized planned expenditure with a greater focus on social sectors. Indeed, the Minister of Finance Hon. Felix Mutati emphasized the need to leave no one behind during the short-term transitions of the economy to recovery.The main social sectors in Zambia’s 2017 budget are understood to include education, health, social protection and the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), although FISP is functionally classified
under Economic affairs.
