The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection says the cost of meeting basic needs for a family of five in Lusaka remains high despite improvements in the country’s economic indicators.
The Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for a family of five in Lusaka stood at twelve-thousand-, one-hundred-and twelve-kwacha, eighty-eight ngwee in June 2026, down slightly from twelve-thousand-, one-hundred-and sixty-kwacha, fifty-four ngwee in May, but up by seven hundred and forty-seven kwacha, eighty-eight ngwee since January this year.
JCTR Social & Economic Development Programme Officer Lombe Kasanda says while annual inflation has eased to six point five percent and the Kwacha has strengthened; these gains have not translated into lower household living costs.
Mr. Kasanda says the reductions in the prices of mealie meal, beans and pounded groundnuts were offset by rising prices of kapenta, vegetables, tomatoes and charcoal, with charcoal increasing to 900 per 90-kilogram bag in June.
He has urged policymakers to ensure that improvements in the country’s macroeconomic performance result in tangible relief for low-income households, which continue to face significant cost-of-living pressures.
-MAFKEN TV