31/07/2025
Implementors Team
CDF-Fueled Transformation: Chasefu Constituency Emerges as Model for Rural Development
By Joseph Mapalo Kamanga
Chasefu Constituency in Eastern Province is rapidly becoming a blueprint for rural transformation, thanks to the effective utilization of the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF), now standing at K36.1 million per constituency.
Once considered one of Zambia’s most neglected regions, Chasefu has leveraged the devolved CDF to address longstanding infrastructure and social development challenges. From education to health, roads to skills training, the rural constituency is witnessing a silent but impactful revolution.
According to area Member of Parliament Misheck Nyambose, over 9,000 school desks have been distributed to local schools, eliminating the chronic “pupils-sitting-on-the-floor” crisis. The drilling of 20 boreholes has brought clean water to underserved villages, while 14 new health posts and 34 classroom blocks are being constructed across the area.
“This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about dignity and inclusion for rural communities,” Nyambose said at a press briefing in Lusaka. “For the first time, the people of Chasefu feel seen.”
Youth empowerment has also seen a boost. Over 946 residents have undergone CDF-sponsored skills training, while 540 cooperatives have accessed loans, and 406 individuals received empowerment grants. Secondary school bursaries have benefited 585 pupils, and 209 youths have been supported to obtain driver’s licenses.
The procurement of earth-moving equipment has further enabled the local council to rehabilitate 120 kilometers of feeder roads, improving access to markets, clinics, and schools.
Observers note that Chasefu’s development under the enhanced CDF points to the broader success of Zambia’s push for decentralized governance. While political debates around the management of CDF continue, Chasefu stands as evidence that with proper oversight, local communities can direct their own development effectively.
Nyambose, who also chairs the Local Government Accounts Committee, stressed the importance of timely CDF disbursements and transparent allocation to prevent political interference and ensure all regions benefit equally.
“Our people don’t need handouts; they need tools. And with this fund, we’re equipping them to build a better future,” he said.
Lusaka Province Implementors Team
