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The Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has reported a slight decrease in Zambia’s Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB), which now stands at over K10,400 for October, down by K69.16 from September’s levels.
JCTR’s Social and Economic Development Programme Officer, Lukwesa Musonda, attributed this decline to a drop in the prices of certain commodities, including bananas, which fell from K22.24 per kg to K17.14 per kg.
Musonda noted similar reductions for other fruits such as mangoes, oranges, and apples, which decreased from K35.33 per kg to K19.41 per kg.
“The reductions in other fruits were largely driven by the availability of mangoes on the markets, which are cheaper when available around this time of the year,” he explained.
Despite the slight reduction in overall costs, Musonda emphasised that the cost of living remained prohibitively high for most Zambian households, with average incomes lagging far behind the expenses needed for basic needs.
“Household income is unmatched to the current prevailing cost of living, which compromises families’ ability to meet necessary basic needs,” Musonda said.
The Center also observed persistent high costs for essential non-food items, adding financial pressure on households and limiting consumer demand for goods and services.
Musonda highlighted that prolonged power outages, or loadshedding, have further slowed economic activity, impacting productivity.
In response, JCTR recommended that the government approve an emergency reduction in electricity tariffs, proposing a 20 percent cut for residential tariffs and a 15 percent reduction for the first commercial tariff band, which included small and medium enterprises.
Musonda stated, “The reduction in residential tariffs will cushion households by allowing them to reallocate funds to other essential needs, and it will help SMEs continue operating efficiently.”
He also called for strengthened social protection, particularly through greater transparency and accountability in programmes, and recommended reviewing the minimum wage to address the rising cost of living, exacerbated by ongoing drought conditions.
Further, Musonda urged the implementation of social protection initiatives like cash-for-work to provide vulnerable households with supplementary income.
“Efficiently implementing these programmes will help vulnerable households meet their basic needs amid economic pressures,” Musonda concluded.
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