Parliament has approved the 2025/2026 Mid-Year Review Budget, which was presented on Friday, 21 November 2025, by Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha. The passing of the revised financial plan marks a significant step in government’s efforts to stabilise public finances amid persistent expenditure pressures.
The approval followed a detailed Committee of Supply session, during which Members of Parliament scrutinised each vote line by line. Lawmakers engaged in extensive debate, assessing the fiscal priorities and amendments proposed by the Treasury before agreeing on the final allocations.
The revised budget now allocates K8.589 trillion (K8,589,231,939,933) to the Consolidated Recurrent and Development Accounts, an upward adjustment from the initial K8.077 trillion approved at the beginning of the financial year.
According to Mwanamvekha, the K512.6 billion increase is designed to cushion pressure arising from unforeseen expenditure trends recorded during the first half of the fiscal year. He noted that key government sectors experienced cost escalations beyond initial projections.
A major component of the adjustment includes a K98.5 billion rise in the wages and salaries bill, largely attributed to the implementation of revised pay structures and increased personnel-related obligations across the public sector.
Mwanamvekha said the government remains committed to maintaining fiscal stability while ensuring that essential services continue to operate without disruption. He added that the Treasury will strengthen expenditure controls to prevent further overruns.
During the debate, several MPs called for improved fiscal discipline and more robust revenue mobilisation strategies, noting that recurring mid-year adjustments highlight underlying structural challenges in budget planning.
The minister assured Parliament that the revised budget aligns with broader economic recovery plans and pledged to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that resources are utilised efficiently and transparently throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.
