The Acting Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs Loveness M Mayaka represented by the Director of Financial Committee Mr Stephen Chiwota has called on members of staff to take Sector Budget Analysis seriously as a key pillar for economic governance and public accountability, during a high-level capacity building workshop held in Kabwe at Urban Bliss Hotel from September 1st to 3rd, 2025.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop, Mr Chiwota said the workshop was organised in preparation for one of the major functions of the National Assembly which is to approve and pass the National Budget once presented by the Minister of Finance.
The workshop which was supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), marks a critical phase in the full rollout of Sector Budget Analysis. The Institution successfully rolled out Sector Budget Analysis in 2025 following pilots in 2023 and 2024. However to reach optimal levels, more needed to be done. The concerns that were observed in 2025 have to be resolved to ensure smooth 2026 budget process.
Mr Chiwota said the key focus of the workshop included budget adequacy, budget execution, prioritisation, transparency, accountability and alignment with sector goals in budget processes. These aspects can inform policy decision, improve resource allocation and enhance sector performance.
The workshop also sought to address challenges identified in the previous budget cycles especially the 2025 roll out and reinforce staff capacity in areas such as data analysis, fiscal risk identification, and policy linkages. He added that staff are expected to strengthen their skills in macroeconomic, fiscal framework as well as revenue and expenditure analysis of public debt. The workshop would enable members of staff to deepen their ability to interpret data, link policies to resources and identify fiscal risks and ultimately translating into a more effective support system for Parliamentary Committees and robust approval process for the 2026 National Budget.
Mr Chiwota implored participants not to treat the workshop as a routine event, but as a serious step in strengthening the Budgetary Approval Process. He urged the staff to actively participate and engage with the key resource persons fully.
He concluded by thanking UNICEF for the continued support not only in the Sector Budget Analysis but in many other areas that concern the affairs of children.
