The Minister Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Sithumbeko Musokotwane is today expected to present the proposed supplementary budget estimates to parliament.
He is also billed to deliver a ministerial statement on preparations towards development of the 9th National Development Plan (9NDC).
Supplementary budget is extra money government asks for after the main national budget is already approved.
Supplementary budget: During the year, if money runs out or emergencies happen, government goes back to Parliament to ask for more money.
The overnment recently approved the Revised 2026 National Budget to address rising expenditure pressures and ensure continued delivery of public services.
The decision was made at the 5th Cabinet Meeting held at State House on Thursday, April 9th, 2026, chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema.
The meeting deliberated on key socio-economic matters affecting national development.
Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said Cabinet approved the Revised 2026 Budget to address higher-than-anticipated expenditure requirements in the 2026 fiscal year.
Mweetwa said Cabinet noted with concern the impact of global developments on Zambia’s economy, especially rising fuel costs linked to conflicts in the Persian Gulf region.
He explained that government has been compelled to make fiscal adjustments to maintain stability and protect citizens.
Mweetwa added that the suspension of VAT and Customs and Excise Duties on fuel, introduced to cushion citizens, has reduced domestic revenue and widened the financing gap, necessitating the budget realignment.
He further said Cabinet noted the need to accommodate an increased public service wage bill following salary adjustments and improved conditions of service for government workers.
Meanwhile, Cabinet has approved in principle the introduction of the Penal Code Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament to impose stiffer penalties for stock theft.
Mweetwa said the current penalties are not strong enough to deter offenders, contributing to rising cases of stock theft across the country.
He said the proposed amendment will strengthen the legal framework by providing tougher penalties that will deter would-be offenders and help combat rising cases of stock theft.
In another development, Cabinet received a briefing from a Vietnamese delegation led by former Minister of Agriculture Dr. Cao Duc Phat on Vietnam’s agricultural transformation under reforms.
Government said Vietnam’s success story in turning its agriculture sector into a major global exporter provides valuable lessons for Zambia.
This is according to a statement made available to ZNBC News by Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa.
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