Promoting and sustaining economic reform in Zambia

Abstract

This collection of essays examines Zambia's efforts to promote economic reform during the 1990s. Following the restoration of democratic rule, the government of Zambia adopted an ambitious programme designed to stabilise the economy and lay the foundation for sustained growth and development. These essays descrive the adjustment programme, highlighting the attempts to reform the budget, the tax system, the financial system, agriculture and mining, and to create the human capacity to sustain the reforms. Major improvements in economic performance occurred from 1992 to 1995. After that, however, economic performance deteriorated as a result of the government's selective abandonment of key elements of the reform programme and the emergence of major governance problems. In response to international pressure, by 2001 the government completed the sale of the copper mines and qualified for large-scale debt relief. The long delays involved seriously undermined economic performance. The volume concludes that for economic reform to succeed in Zambia, the government should scale back its development agenda to match its financial and human capacities, reduce dependence on foreign aid, adopt and maintain prudent macroeconomic policies and support the expansion of both mining and agriculture.

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