September's K14.6 billion: about three quarters went to wages and debt, K436 million to Social Cash Transfer

LUSAKA. Minister Musokotwane's statement gives this split. | Item | Amount | |---|---| | Wage bill | K5.4 billion | | Debt service and arrears | K5.4 billion | | Of which domestic | K4.1 billion | | Of which external | K625.1 million | | Of which arrears | K674.2 million | | Transfers | K1.8 billion | | Of which grant-aided institutions | K857 million | | Of which Social Cash Transfer | K435.8 million | | Of which Food Security Pack | K200 million | | Of which Local Authorities Equalisation Fund | K120.8 million | | Programmes and operations | K1.5 billion | | Of which general operations | K441.2 million | | Of which 2026 election | K101.1 million | | Of which geological mapping | K64.4 million | | Capital expenditure | K526.9 million | | Of which roads | K459.9 million | | Of which other | K67 million | **Our arithmetic (not the ministry's).** Wages plus debt is K10.8 billion, about 74 percent of K14.6 billion. The Social Cash Transfer is about 3 percent. Capital spending is about 3.6 percent. **Context.** President Hichilema announced at the opening of the 14th National Assembly on 9 October that fuel excise duty will be restored this month (Lusaka Times, 9 October). He said government will also review the Energy Regulation Board's monthly pricing mechanism. The Lusaka Times piece gives no new pump prices. Earlier notes had petrol at K31.46 and diesel at K33.27, about 24 percent higher, with VAT returning on 1 December. We could not reconfirm those figures on 12 October, so do not publish them without a second source. For the 2027 Budget, hearings ended 8 October and public submissions closed 9 October. Measures will only be announced at the Budget. **Verification notes.** The Ministry of Finance page could not be opened by our tools (it blocks automated access). About K186 million of the transfers is not itemised in the statement. **Sources:** Zambia Monitor; Zambian Observer; Lusaka Times.