May 11, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) plays a significant role in Zambia’s development through a wide array of projects aimed at reducing poverty and fostering sustainable, democratic societies.1 USAID’s operational model in Zambia is heavily reliant on establishing partnerships with various organizations that possess specialized expertise and local knowledge. This collaborative approach allows USAID to address complex development challenges across multiple sectors, including health, economic development, agriculture, education, and governance.1 While USAID provides the funding and strategic direction, the on-the-ground implementation of these projects is largely carried out by a diverse group of implementing partners, encompassing government entities, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector companies, and research institutions.3 Understanding the landscape of these partnerships is crucial to comprehending how USAID achieves its development objectives in Zambia. It’s worth noting that while USAID operates across various sectors nationally, specific programs may have a more concentrated geographic focus to maximize impact within targeted regions.4 This targeted approach allows for tailored interventions that address the unique needs and challenges of different areas within Zambia.
In the health sector, USAID supports a broad range of initiatives focused on critical areas such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, nutrition, and the strengthening of the overall health system.5 Given the significant health challenges present in Zambia, this sector receives substantial attention and investment. A key framework guiding many health-related projects is the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), for which USAID serves as a focus mission.5 This signifies a strong and enduring commitment to combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic through various prevention, care, and treatment programs. Similarly, the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) supports crucial interventions like indoor residual spraying, the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, and the enhancement of diagnostic capabilities to control and prevent malaria.5
Recent and ongoing health projects illustrate the diverse partnerships USAID fosters. The USAID Zambia Integrated Health project (2023-2028), led by Pact, exemplifies a consortium approach, bringing together a mix of international and local expertise through partners such as the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Circles of Hope, Mothers2Mothers (m2m), Copper Rose Zambia, the Zambia Network of Young People Living with HIV, and Viamo.6 This collaborative structure allows for a comprehensive approach to improving health outcomes by leveraging the specific strengths of each partner. Another significant project, USAID/Zambia Open Doors, is implemented by FHI 360 in partnership with the Zambia Health Education and Communications Trust (ZHECT) and several community resource partners, including the Women’s Alliance for Equality (WAFE) and the Zambian Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (ZANERELA+).7 This project focuses on increasing access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for populations at higher risk, highlighting the importance of community-level engagement and tailored interventions. Furthermore, the USAID Family Health and Nutrition Activity, spearheaded by Jhpiego, works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development to enhance reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition services.8 ThinkWell plays a crucial role in this activity by leading the efforts to strengthen the health systems. These partnerships with government ministries underscore the aim of building sustainable local capacity and integrating project activities within the existing national health framework.
Beyond specific disease-focused projects, USAID also supports initiatives to strengthen the broader health system. The AIDSFree project, for instance, collaborated directly with the Zambian Ministry of Health to develop and implement an electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS).5 This technological intervention aims to improve the availability of essential health commodities by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain. Similarly, the eSCMIS project, implemented by John Snow Health Zambia (JSH-Z) Limited, focuses on ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of health commodities throughout the country.9 These projects demonstrate the use of technology and specialized expertise to address systemic challenges in health service delivery. Additionally, USAID supports projects that address the social determinants of health, such as the ACHIEVE project, implemented by Pact, Inc., which strengthens the capacity of the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) to deliver comprehensive case management services for vulnerable children and adolescents.9 The Empowered Child and Adolescents Program (ECAP), implemented by Jhpiego, further works to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on vulnerable children and their families.9 These initiatives highlight the cross-sectoral nature of health interventions and the importance of addressing social vulnerabilities. In the area of malaria control, the Program for the Advancement of Malaria Outcomes (PAMO) Plus, implemented by the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), focuses on engaging communities to promote healthy behaviors that prevent malaria.9 This community-centered approach underscores the significance of local participation in achieving health outcomes.
In the realm of economic development and agriculture, USAID’s efforts are geared towards fostering food security, enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting economic growth, supporting business development, and expanding trade, tourism, and access to energy.1 A major overarching initiative in this sector is the Feed the Future program, which aims to boost the productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers and fishers.11 Zambia’s designation as a Feed the Future Accelerator Country further emphasizes the strategic importance of this program in the country.11 This initiative likely involves partnerships with organizations specializing in agricultural research, extension services, market access facilitation, and the promotion of private sector investment in agriculture.
Specific projects in this sector highlight the diverse range of implementing partners. The USAID/Zambia Economic Development Office – Development Credit Authority (DCA) project with Madison Finance Company Limited exemplifies a partnership with a financial institution to improve access to loans for small-scale farmers.12 The Swedish International Cooperation Agency (SIDA) also collaborated on this project, indicating potential co-funding and international cooperation. In contrast, the USAID/Zambia Economic Development Office – Policy Strengthening Project partnered with the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), a Zambia-based think tank, to address rural poverty and hunger through evidence-based policy research and advocacy.14 This demonstrates USAID’s collaboration with local research institutions to inform policy decisions in the agricultural sector. The USAID Business Enabling Project, implemented by Cardno Emerging Markets, LTD., focuses on a different aspect of economic development by aiming to catalyze inclusive private sector investment across agriculture, trade, tourism, and energy through improvements to the business environment.10 This partnership with a private sector consulting firm suggests a focus on market-driven solutions and regulatory reforms.
A significant public-private partnership under the Prosper Africa Initiative involves Bechtel.org, AfricaGlobal Schaffer, and the Export Trading Group (along with its social impact arm, Empowering Farmers Foundation).15 This collaboration aims to support critical infrastructure development for food security by establishing Smart Integrated District Aggregation Centers for maize. The involvement of a major infrastructure company and agribusiness firms highlights a coordinated effort to address post-harvest losses and enhance the maize supply chain. Another example of private sector engagement is the partnership with Carrinho under a $5.5 million program focused on women’s empowerment.18 This collaboration facilitates the offtake of grain and crops grown by communities along the Lobito Corridor, demonstrating a link between agricultural expansion and women’s economic empowerment. The USAID Enterprise Development and Growth Enhanced (EDGE) project further illustrates this trend by partnering with 260 Brands to produce organic soy milk sourced from local smallholders and with Zircon Energy Solutions Ltd. to provide tailored irrigation solutions.17 These diverse partnerships with businesses underscore the growing recognition of the private sector’s role in achieving sustainable agricultural growth and economic development.
In the crucial area of education and human capital development, USAID supports initiatives aimed at improving literacy, enhancing teacher training, promoting early childhood development, and ultimately improving overall educational outcomes.1 Recognizing that education is foundational for long-term progress, USAID invests in various programs to strengthen the quality of education in Zambia. A key project in this sector is the USAID Let’s Read project, a significant five-year partnership with the Ministry of General Education (MoGE).9 This initiative aims to improve reading outcomes for approximately 1.4 million children from pre-primary to Grade 3. In a related effort focusing on early-grade reading assessment, J/PAL Africa and UNICEF/Zambia collaborated as partners.9 This strong collaboration with the government highlights the commitment to strengthening the national education system. Another vital project, the Transforming Teacher Education Activity, is led by Florida State University (FSU) in partnership with School-to-School International and the University of Zambia.9 This initiative focuses on enhancing the capacity of pre-service teacher training institutions to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The partnership with universities and educational NGOs brings specialized expertise in teacher education to this critical area. Furthermore, the Scaling Up Early Childhood Development in Zambia (SUpErCDZ) project, implemented by John Snow, Inc., aims to improve the physical and cognitive health outcomes of children aged 0-6 by establishing community-based parenting groups.9 This project emphasizes the importance of early childhood interventions and leverages community-based approaches to support child development.
USAID also recognizes the fundamental role of democratic governance and a strong civil society in achieving sustainable development. Therefore, it partners with various organizations to promote good governance, protect human rights, advance democratization, and strengthen civil society organizations.1 One significant project in this area is the USAID Local Impact Governance Activity (2020-2025), implemented by DAI with support from the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT).22 This initiative directly supports the Government of the Republic of Zambia’s decentralization agenda by strengthening local governance structures, improving devolved service delivery, and ensuring that service delivery is transparent and responsive to the needs of citizens. Key partners in this project include the Government of Zambia (specifically the Ministry of Local Government), various civil society organizations, and local stakeholders, highlighting a collaborative approach to enhancing sub-national governance. The involvement of HOT underscores the use of technology and data to improve service delivery mapping and planning.
A significant aspect of USAID’s evolving operational strategy in Zambia is the increasing emphasis on collaborating directly with local implementing partners.23 This reflects a broader commitment to localization, aiming to build the capacity and ownership of Zambian organizations in leading their own development initiatives. USAID has made notable progress in establishing direct awards with local organizations, particularly in the health sector.23 This shift towards localization is driven by the understanding that local organizations are often best positioned to understand and address the specific needs and contexts of their communities, leading to more sustainable and relevant development outcomes. A key initiative supporting this localization agenda is the Leading Organizational Capacity and Localization Development (LOCAL) Activity (2023-2028), implemented by IntraHealth International in partnership with SustainAbility Solutions and Ku-Atenga Media.23 This dedicated activity provides crucial support to local implementing partners (LIPs) to enhance their operational capabilities, improve income generation strategies, and strengthen their advocacy efforts. The USAID Zambia Integrated Health project serves as a prime example of successful collaboration with local organizations, including the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Circles of Hope, Copper Rose Zambia, and the Zambia Network of Young People Living with HIV.6 Similarly, the USAID/Zambia Open Doors project actively partners with local community resource partners.7 These examples underscore the significant role that local NGOs and community-based organizations play in the implementation of USAID projects across various sectors, allowing for more effective community outreach and the leveraging of local expertise and networks.
Reflecting a global trend in development assistance, USAID in Zambia is increasingly prioritizing engagement with the private sector to achieve sustainable development outcomes.3 The Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2019-2024 explicitly outlines the intention to partner with the private sector to advance Zambia’s journey to self-reliance through enterprise-driven economic growth.3 This strategic focus recognizes the crucial role of businesses in driving innovation, creating economic opportunities, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of development initiatives. The examples of public-private partnerships in the economic development and agriculture sector, such as the collaboration with Bechtel.org, AfricaGlobal Schaffer, and the Export Trading Group 15, the partnership with Madison Finance Company Limited 12, and the engagement with 260 Brands and Zircon Energy Solutions Ltd. 17, clearly demonstrate this growing emphasis. Furthermore, the Lobito Corridor initiative involves significant partnerships with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Zambian mining companies like Kobaloni Energy and First Quantum Minerals to develop vital transport infrastructure and support agricultural expansion, with USAID specifically partnering with Carrinho.18 These diverse partnerships highlight the various ways in which USAID collaborates with the private sector, ranging from infrastructure development and financial inclusion to agricultural value chain support. By leveraging the resources, expertise, and innovative approaches of the private sector, USAID aims to achieve development goals more efficiently and create lasting impact.
To provide a clearer overview of recent and ongoing key projects and their implementing partners, the following table summarizes some of the initiatives discussed:
| Project Name | Sector | Implementing Partner(s) | Timeframe (if available) | Key Objectives |
| USAID Zambia Integrated Health | Health | Pact, Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Circles of Hope, Mothers2Mothers (m2m), Copper Rose Zambia, ZNYPLHIV, Viamo | 2023 – 2028 | Improve health outcomes through integrated HIV, TB/HIV, maternal, newborn, child health, and family planning services. |
| USAID/Zambia Open Doors | Health | FHI 360, Zambia Health Education and Communications Trust (ZHECT), Women’s Alliance for Equality (WAFE), ZANERELA+, others | 5 years | Increase access to comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for at-risk populations. |
| USAID Family Health and Nutrition Activity | Health | Jhpiego, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development, ThinkWell | Improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition services. | |
| USAID/Zambia Economic Development Office – DCA | Economic Development & Agriculture | Madison Finance Company Limited, SIDA | Sept 2015 to Sept 2022 | Facilitate access to loans for small-scale farmers. |
| USAID/Zambia Economic Development Office – Policy Strengthening | Economic Development & Agriculture | Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) | May 2015 – May 2020 | Tackle rural poverty and hunger through agricultural policy research and advocacy. |
| USAID Business Enabling Project | Economic Development & Agriculture | Cardno Emerging Markets, LTD. | Feb 2022 – Jan 2027 | Catalyze inclusive private sector investment in agriculture, trade, tourism, and energy. |
| USAID Let’s Read | Education | Ministry of General Education (MoGE), J/PAL Africa, UNICEF/Zambia | 5 years | Improve reading outcomes for approximately 1.4 million pre-primary to Grade 3 children. |
| Transforming Teacher Education Activity | Education | Florida State University (FSU), School-to-School International, University of Zambia | 5 years | Strengthen the capacity of pre-service teacher training institutions. |
| USAID Local Impact Governance Activity | Democratic Governance & Civil Society | DAI, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), Government of Zambia (Ministry of Local Government), Civil Society Organizations | 2020-2025 | Strengthen local governance, devolved service delivery, and citizen engagement. |
| Leading Organizational Capacity and Localization Development (LOCAL) | Cross-Sectoral (Capacity Building) | IntraHealth International, SustainAbility Solutions, Ku-Atenga Media | 2023 – 2028 | Support the organizational capacity of local implementing partners. |
| Prosper Africa Initiative (Food Security Infrastructure) | Economic Development & Agriculture | Bechtel.org, AfricaGlobal Schaffer, Export Trading Group, Empowering Farmers Foundation | Build Smart Integrated District Aggregation Centers for maize. |
This table provides a snapshot of the diverse projects and the range of partners USAID collaborates with in Zambia. The interconnectedness of USAID’s focus areas suggests that progress in one sector can create positive effects in others. For instance, improvements in education can lead to greater health awareness and better economic opportunities, ultimately contributing to poverty reduction and increased societal resilience.
The significant number of projects focused on HIV/AIDS underscores the profound impact of the epidemic in Zambia and the sustained commitment of USAID and its partners to combatting it. Despite notable progress, the prevalence of HIV necessitates ongoing investment in prevention, treatment, and support programs, and the collaboration of various local and international partners reflects a coordinated effort to address this complex health challenge.
The parallel emphasis on enhancing agricultural productivity and fostering a more enabling business environment indicates a strategic two-pronged approach to promoting economic growth, tackling both supply-side limitations and demand-side opportunities.
Simply increasing agricultural output is insufficient; a supportive business environment is essential for creating markets, attracting investment, and generating employment, which are all crucial for sustainable economic development.
The focus on early grade reading and teacher training in the education sector highlights a recognition of the fundamental importance of basic education for developing future human capital. Strong foundational literacy skills are vital for success in subsequent education and for overall cognitive development, making investments in teacher quality essential for effective instruction.
The support for decentralization in the governance sector reflects a strategy to empower local authorities and promote more responsive and accountable governance at the sub-national level. Decentralization has the potential to improve service delivery and increase citizen participation in decision-making processes, thereby contributing to better governance and development outcomes.
The increasing emphasis on providing direct funding and building the capacity of local partners signifies a strategic shift towards empowering Zambian organizations to take a leading role in their own development. This approach is likely based on the understanding that local organizations possess the best understanding of the specific needs and contexts of their communities, leading to more sustainable and locally-owned development outcomes.
The growing number and diversity of public-private partnerships indicate a trend towards leveraging the resources and expertise of the private sector to achieve development goals more efficiently and effectively. Private sector involvement can bring innovation, efficiency, and financial sustainability to development projects, complementing the resources and expertise of the public and non-profit sectors.
The prevalence of projects involving partnerships with multiple organizations, often a combination of international NGOs, local NGOs, government agencies, and private sector entities, reveals a collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach to development in Zambia. Addressing complex development challenges often necessitates the combined expertise and resources of various types of organizations working together in a coordinated manner.
In conclusion, USAID’s approach to project implementation in Zambia is characterized by a strong reliance on a diverse network of partnerships.3 These partnerships span across governmental bodies, local and international NGOs, private sector entities, and research institutions, reflecting a collaborative strategy to address multifaceted development challenges.2 The projects undertaken cover a wide range of critical sectors, including health, economic development, agriculture, education, and governance, demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to Zambia’s progress.1 A notable trend is the increasing emphasis on localization, with USAID actively working to build the capacity of local Zambian organizations and directly funding their initiatives to foster greater ownership and sustainability.23 Furthermore, public-private partnerships are playing an increasingly important role, leveraging the resources and expertise of the private sector to enhance the effectiveness and reach of development interventions.3 However, it is important to acknowledge a potential factor that could influence these ongoing activities. The announced administrative leave and Reduction-in-Force within USAID in 2025 27 may have implications for the continuation and management of some projects and the relationships with implementing partners in Zambia.28 While essential personnel are expected to continue their work, the scale of these changes could potentially lead to some disruptions or adjustments in the implementation of USAID-funded projects in the country.
Works cited
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From Albania To Zambia: List Of Cancelled USAID Projects Provides Insight Into US Influence – Health Policy Watch, accessed on May 11, 2025, https://healthpolicy-watch.news/from-albania-to-zambia-list-of-cancelled-usaid-projects-provides-insight-into-us-influence/