The Government of Zambia recognises social protection as a fundamental pillar of national development, promoting human dignity, social equity, and inclusive economic growth. Despite significant progress, many households continue to experience extreme poverty and vulnerability due to unemployment, disability, old age, chronic illness, and the long-term socio-economic impacts of HIV and AIDS. These challenges reinforce the need for comprehensive social protection interventions that enable vulnerable households to meet their basic needs while improving their resilience and well-being.
The Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Programme, administered by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) through the Department of Social Welfare, is the Government’s flagship social assistance programme under the Social Assistance Pillar of the National Social Protection Policy. Since its inception in 2003 as a pilot project in Kalomo District, the programme has evolved into one of Zambia’s largest social protection interventions, providing predictable income support to the country’s poorest and most vulnerable households.
Programme Objectives
The Social Cash Transfer Programme aims to reduce extreme poverty and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by providing regular, predictable cash transfers that enable beneficiary households to:
Target Beneficiaries
The programme targets households living in extreme poverty with limited or no labour capacity, giving priority to households headed by or caring for:
Cash Transfer Benefits
The Social Cash Transfer Programme provides regular, non-contributory cash transfers to eligible households.
Current transfer levels are:
The predictable nature of these transfers enables households to meet essential needs such as food, healthcare, education, clothing, and shelter while investing in small livelihood activities that strengthen household resilience.
Programme Growth
From a small pilot launched in Kalomo District in 2003, the SCT Programme has expanded steadily over the past two decades. It grew from implementation in 53 districts in 2014 to all 116 districts nationwide by 2025.. In 2025, Government implemented one of the programme’s largest expansions, increasing the national caseload from over 1.3 million households to 1,555,840 beneficiary households. As of 2026, the programme reaches 1,555,840 households across all 116 districts, demonstrating Government’s continued commitment to strengthening social protection and reducing extreme poverty nationwide.
Nutrition Cash Top-Up Pilot
To improve nutrition outcomes among vulnerable children and mothers, the Ministry is currently implementing a Nutrition Cash Top-Up Pilot alongside the Social Cash Transfer Programme.
The pilot targets SCT beneficiary households with pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or children under the age of two years, providing additional support during the critical first 1,000 days of life. This intervention seeks to improve child nutrition, reduce stunting, and promote healthy growth and development through enhanced household purchasing power and improved access to nutritious foods.
The pilot is currently being implemented in the districts of:
These districts were selected based on high levels of malnutrition and stunting, as well as lessons learned from previous phases of programme implementation. The pilot will generate evidence to inform the design and potential scale-up of nutrition-sensitive social protection interventions across the country.
A Commitment to Inclusive Development
The Social Cash Transfer Programme remains a cornerstone of Zambia’s social protection system, supporting vulnerable households to meet their immediate needs while contributing to improved health, education, nutrition, and economic resilience. Through continued expansion, strengthened delivery systems, and innovative interventions such as the Nutrition Cash Top-Up Pilot, the Government remains committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in the country’s pursuit of sustainable and inclusive development.
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services
Private Bag W252
Community House, Sadzu Road
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 211 225 327
Fax: +260 211 235342
Email: info@mcdss.gov.zm
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