Zambia proposes expanding government from 24 to 30 ministries

President Hakainde Hichilema has proposed a restructuring of the Zambian government to increase the number of ministries from 24 to 30. The proposal, submitted to Parliament for approval under Article 92(2)(d) of the Constitution, involves splitting several existing portfolios to better address specific national priorities.

Key changes include the separation of the Ministry of Energy into distinct ministries for Electricity and Petroleum, and the division of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry into separate portfolios for Trade and Exports and Industry. Additionally, the plan proposes creating a dedicated Ministry of Housing, a Ministry of Skills and Higher Education, and a Ministry of Culture and Arts.

Government officials defended the move, stating the realignment is designed to support the ‘Grow Zambia Agenda’ and manage the complexities of a growing population and economy. They argued that the expansion focuses on accountability and specialized delivery for sectors such as power generation, housing, and the creative economy, rather than simply increasing government size.