Zambia remains committed to the socio-economic development planning of the country as reflected by the return to development planning in 2005. The Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) for the period 2017- 2021 is the successor to the Revised Sixth National Development Plan, 2013-2016 (R- SNDP) following its expiry in December 2016. The Plan, like the three national development plans (NDPs) that preceded it, is aimed at attaining the long- term objectives as outlined in the Vision 2030 of becoming a “prosperous middle-income country by 2030”. It builds on the achievements and lessons learnt during the implementation of the previous NDPs.
The Seventh National Development Plan departs from sectoral-based planning to an integrated (multi- sectoral) development approach under the theme “Accelerating development efforts towards the Vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind”. The integrated approach recognises the multi-faceted and interlinked nature of sustainable development which calls for interventions to be tackled simultaneously through a coordinated approach to implementing development programmes. Through the use of the integrated multi-sectoral development approach, the 7NDP has the advantage of considering the comparative and competitive advantages of the regions in allocation of resources towards implementation of the multi-sectoral strategies and setting in motion a series of mutually supporting activities in different sectors with the general objective of delivering the national agenda. Ultimately it is envisaged that the integrated development approach in the 7NDP will help change the focus of government line ministries and provinces from competing with each other to coordinated harmonisation.
The goal of the 7NDP is to create a diversified and resilient economy for sustained growth and socio- economic transformation driven, among others, by agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and mining. Furthermore, this Plan responds to the Smart Zambia transformation agenda 2064 and embeds in it the economic stabilisation and growth necessary for the actualisation of a Smart Zambia. This is in support of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063.
Distinctively, the realisation of this goal will be achieved through the contribution of a number of developmental outcomes and this makes the 7NDP an effective guide towards Zambia’s aspirations of being a developed middle-income nation. The key outcomes include economic diversification and job creation; poverty and vulnerability reduction; reduced developmental inequalities; enhanced human development; and an enhanced governance environment for a diversified and inclusive economy.
The Government recognises that to deliver inclusive and equitable development to the citizens requires concerted efforts and commitment of all stakeholders. I would therefore like to urge all Zambians from different walks of life to be fully committed and participate in the implementation of this Plan. I further call upon the National Development Coordinating Committee, Cluster Advisory Groups, Provincial Development Coordinating Committees, District Development Coordinating Committees, Non- Governmental Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, Faith-based Organisations and the ordinary Zambians to be pillars in the implementation of the Plan.
Our Cooperating Partners have always been supportive of the development agenda of the country and the Government will continue to appreciate their valuable contributions. The Government is hopeful that this cooperation will grow to even greater heights as we implement the 7NDP.
I am convinced that through our joint efforts during the next five years, we will be able to achieve the objectives of the 7NDP. I have confidence in Zambia’s ability to implement this Plan efficiently and effectively.