Germany is one of Zambia’s larger international cooperation partners. At government negotiations Germany and Zambia agreed to continue cooperation in the following priority areas:

1. Good governance (decentralisation, promoting public participation, good financial governance/public financial management)
2. Water and sanitation
3. Energy
4. Transforming agricultural and food systems

Good Governance

Good governance is the basis for favourable economic development and successful poverty reduction. German development cooperation activities in support of good governance can be seen in the following areas:

Zambia's budget planning, implementation and auditing is often not sufficiently systematic and structured, public revenue is too low. Through development cooperation projects on good financial governance, Germany is providing advice to the Ministry of Finance and the Zambian tax authority on how to improve management of public finances and increase tax revenue.

Germany is supporting Zambia's efforts to implement its policy of decentralisation. The measures focus on advising the relevant government ministries and selected districts on issues such as budget planning, financial management, regional planning and service orientation.

In the field of public participation, Germany is helping to strengthen civil society partner organisations and networks with a view to enabling them to play a more effective role in shaping decision-making processes. Together with the EU, efforts are being made to improve the access of poorer people, in particular, to justice.

Water and sanitation

Zambia has enormous water resources. Big parts of the rural population have no access to safe drinking water. Especially in the mushrooming peri-urban settlements, sanitation services are often poor. Climate-smart management of valuable water resources is still in its infancy.

In the light of climate change, one focus of cooperation is on improving the sustainable management of Zambia's water resources. Germany has been a key supporter of the reform process to commercialise the water supply in Zambia and develop an independent regulation system. Through its involvement Germany is seeking to improve access to safe drinking water and appropriate sanitation facilities for the poor in rural and urban areas.

Energy

In response to climate change, Germany is pursuing a regional programme to encourage greater use of renewable energy sources in Southern Africa. Germany pledged a considerable amount of funds to Zambia for an innovative programme to expand the use of solar power in collaboration with the private sector, amongst other programmes.

One World without Hunger - Transforming agricultural and food systems

All people on Earth could be fed. The natural resources, knowledge and techniques for this are available. What is needed is a rapid and fundamental transformation of agricultural and food systems – towards sustainable, climate-friendly and biodiversity-preserved cultivation and processing methods.

A sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural sector is key to Zambia’s long-term food security and economic growth.
Zambia’s agriculture sector faces challenges such as climate variability, low productivity, and limited market access. To address these issues, Germany is working with the Zambian government to promote sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices, ensuring long-term food security while protecting natural resources.

Malnutrition remains a critical concern, particularly among women of reproductive age and young children. Through targeted initiatives, Germany is supporting Zambia in improving the nutritional status of vulnerable rural households, contributing to healthier diets and stronger communities.

Germany is providing advisory services and capacity development at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels, engaging both the public and private sectors, as well as civil society, to strengthen agricultural policies, improve food systems, and enhance nutritional outcomes.

To foster economic growth, Germany is working to strengthen agricultural value chains, create income-generating opportunities, and boost employment within the agri-food sector. Partnerships with the private sector are being promoted to improve access to agricultural finance, encourage investment, and drive rural development.