History of Economic Development Policies and Outcomes in Zambia

Abstract

Abstract Economic development policies are well established in academic and policy debates as key determinants of socioeconomic outcomes. There is a plethora of empirical and theoretical literature that suggests that development outcomes are a function of long-term visioning and elaborate economic policies. In this chapter, we have used select economic indicators and applied a historical comparative analysis by gleaning through Zambia’s national plan instruments since independence. The purpose was to pick up any discernible features and policy lessons that have a bearing on past and current economic thinking. The analysis shows that different political parties in power followed different ideologies leading to different economic outcomes. The analysis also finds that policy inconsistencies, slippages, and misalignment have been common features across different governments in power. The chapter finally notes that the economic policy space in Zambia is largely dominated by government and its cooperating partners that include IFIs and bilateral donors.