Decentralization and Governance
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Recognizing that the government closest to the people delivers best, the Chakwera administration has embraced decentralization as a pillar of inclusive development. Power, functions, and resources have been devolved to local councils to empower them as engines of local economic transformation.
The administration has worked to depoliticize local governance and formalize decentralization at sub-district levels.
Problems to be solved
Limited fiscal autonomy and capacity at local government level
Political interference in local governance processes
Weak institutional frameworks for managing decentralization
Opportunities to unlock
Increased allocation of national budget to local councils, targeting 20% by 2025
Reformed the Chiefs’ role to focus on development and removed them from partisan politics
Launched a Local Government Capacity Audit to restructure councils for efficiency and responsiveness