n Africa Insight - Local development responses in Zambia - the case of Kitwe

Abstract

With the expansion of decentralisation in the country, Zambia is recording a growth in planning initiatives for Local Economic Development (LED). This article examines LED activities in the city of Kitwe, against the backdrop of regional and local economic decline, two different sets of responses may be recognised: (i) local government led initiatives and (ii) 'bottom up' LED responses arising from the community level. These initiatives are of limited scope and are weakened by institutional and financial shortcomings.