Ministry of Finance and National Planning Assistant Director for Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations Desmond Banda, says Output-Based Budgeting (OBB) is critical in shifting public-sector budgeting from inputs and activities towards measurable results.

Mr Banda says OBB requires every kwacha of public funds, whether generated through local revenue or received through Government transfers and grants, to be linked to clearly defined outputs and measurable performance indicators.

He says the approach will also enhance teamwork among Council departments, improve transparency and strengthen accountability to residents.

Mr Banda said this during the official opening of a five-day capacity-building and orientation workshop for Chilanga Town Council staff on Output-Based Budgeting (OBB), aimed at strengthening capacity among staff in results-oriented planning, budgeting and resource utilisation.

He urged participants to actively engage with facilitators and apply the knowledge gained to improve the Council’s budgeting and planning processes.

”Chilanga’s priorities such as Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects, public health, road maintenance, solar street lighting, water schemes and infrastructure development, could benefit significantly from clearly defined output targets,” Mr Banda noted.

Chilanga Town Council Public Relations Officer, Luyando Sikazwa explained that the Council will be expected to enhance its capacity to prepare realistic, results-oriented budgets, improve resource allocation and demonstrate tangible outcomes from public funds entrusted to the Council.

Mr Sikazwa noted that the local authority hopes to strengthen departmental coordination, improve service delivery, enhance accountability and public confidence by ensuring that budgetary resources translate into measurable development outcomes for the people of Chilanga.

Source: https://www.lusakatimes.com/2026/10/07/banda-highlights-significance-of-output-based-budgeting/