The Petauke Town Council has officially adopted its 2026 Output-Based Annual Budget, amounting to K144,141,653. The budget was approved during a Special Council meeting held in the Council Chamber on Monday, 22 December 2025.
The 2026 budget reflects a 6.5% reduction from the 2025 allocation of K154.6 million, this is largely attributed to reduced funding for the Cash for Work Programme. Despite the cut, the budget strategically allocates resources across fifteen (15) key programmes aimed at driving local development, improving services, and enhancing revenue collection.
Major Allocations and Key Projects
The largest share of the budget, K80,065,100, is allocated to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This fund will support community projects, women and youth empowerment grants, secondary school bursaries, and skills development programs across Petauke and Kaumbwe Constituencies.
Significant investment is also directed towards Housing and Community Amenities, which receives K12,095,844 an increase of over 100 percent from the previous year. This allocation, boosted by expected funding from the Zambia Devolution Support Program Capital Grants, will finance the construction of a community hall, a trucking bay, two public car parks in the central business area, and a bus station at the Nyika Ward turn-off.
The Transport Services programme is set to receive K6,351,370 and increase from the K3, 200, 587 allocated under 2025. This funding will support the installation of 60 solar streetlights along D138 (Boma Road) and the Great East Road turn-off, the construction and rehabilitation of culverts, and the rehabilitation of 20 kilometres of township roads.
To strengthen local revenue generation in line with Petauke Revenue Enhancement Plan, the Council has allocated K2,654,021 to Resource Mobilisation and Management. Key initiatives include engaging the Nyika and Msumbazi Ward Development Committees (WDCs) as revenue collection agents, holding four quarterly revenue engagement meetings with the public and business community, and conducting ten sensitization meetings on property rates as part of updating the Valuation Roll.
Recreation, Culture and Religion programme is allocated K267,500. Council plans to promote four sports disciplines at the ward level, register four sports associations, conduct four health walks, and rehabilitate two sports facilities. All these are aimed at ensuring that communities are engaged and involved in community sports.
Budget Breakdown Across Programmes
The K144.1 million budget is distributed across the following 15 programmes:
- Constituency Development – K80,065,100
- Local Governance – K2,445,069
- Integrated Development Planning – K1,025,325
- Public Health and Environmental Protection – K1,433,256
- Housing and Community Amenities – K12,095,844
- Recreation, Culture and Religion – K267,500
- Education and Skills Development – K869,539
- Public Order and Safety – K3,075,891
- Management and Support Services – K10,078,838
- Resource Mobilisation and Management – K2,654,021
- District Health Services – K7,201,706
- Transport Services – K6,351,370
- Agricultural Services – K515,867
- Fisheries and Livestock – K605,176
- Social Protection and Community Development – K15,457,152
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and community-driven development. The 2026 budget aligns with the District Integrated Development Plan and the Eighth National Development Plan, focusing on economic transformation, social development, environmental sustainability, and good governance.
Through these strategic allocations, Petauke Town Council aims to enhance service delivery, stimulate local economic activity, and improve the overall quality of life for its residents.
