Zambia's schools embrace digital finance to fight corruption and delays

The Ministry of Education in Zambia has launched the rollout of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) across 29 districts, marking a significant step toward improving financial transparency and accountability in the education sector.

Speaking at the launch event in Ndola, Permanent Secretary - Administration, Noriana Muneku described the initiative as a milestone in strengthening fiscal discipline and ensuring responsible management of public funds allocated to education. She emphasized that the rollout represents more than a technological upgrade, but a commitment to ensuring every kwacha is tracked and used efficiently.

The rollout will cover 29 selected districts across all ten provinces, targeting 71 secondary schools in Northern, Copperbelt, Southern, and Lusaka provinces. According to Ms. Muneku, the initiative aligns with the country's Public Finance Management Act of 2018 and broader public financial management reform strategy.

The Ministry had previously implemented IFMIS in 2023 at the provincial level, covering 10 Provincial Education Offices and 13 Colleges of Education. The current expansion connects district-level institutions directly to the Ministry of Finance, enabling real-time cash management, faster disbursement of funds, and improved financial oversight.

Director of Finance, Fredrick Katulwende, explained that IFMIS integrates key financial functions-including budgeting, accounting, procurement, and reporting-into a single platform. To support the rollout, the government has provided 71 computers, 60 scanners, and 45 printers to participating schools.

The initiative underscores the government's broader commitment to modernizing financial governance systems, improving efficiency in resource allocation, and strengthening institutional accountability across the education sector.

During her visit, Ms. Muneku also met with Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo, reinforcing the collaborative approach to implementing the reform nationwide.