Zambia’s parliament has approved a government proposal to reorganise ministries and create new portfolios, including separate ministries for electricity and petroleum.
Vice President Mutale Nalumango moved the motion on Tuesday after President Hakainde Hichilema formally requested parliamentary approval to establish, merge and dissolve ministries, as required under Article 92(2)(d) of Zambia’s constitution.
The restructuring will increase the number of ministries from 24 to 30. The government says the changes are intended to improve efficiency, strengthen service delivery and accelerate economic growth.
Under the approved plan, the Ministry of Energy will be divided into a Ministry of Electricity and a Ministry of Petroleum.
The move is intended to provide more focused attention on the country’s electricity challenges and the development of its petroleum sector.
The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry will also be split into a Ministry of Trade and Exports and a Ministry of Industry.
The Ministry of Education will be separated into a Ministry of Education and a Ministry of Skills and Higher Education. The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts will become a Ministry of Youth and Sports and a Ministry of Culture and Arts.
Nalumango said the restructuring was designed to align government operations with the administration’s “Grow Zambia” agenda and provide dedicated leadership for key sectors of the economy.
The approval paves the way for Hichilema to appoint cabinet ministers to head the new portfolios.
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