When money rules, it is not the people who govern

A democracy is only as strong as the integrity of its elections. Yet in Zambia, political parties operate in the shadows when it comes to money—the lifeblood of politics. A new study by Transparency International Zambia (TIZ), supported by BBC Media Action through the Deepening Democracy Facility, has ripped the lid off the country’s murky system of political party financing. What it reveals should alarm every citizen who cares about the health of our democracy.

Despite clear provisions in the Constitution under Article 60, Zambia still has no law regulating how parties are funded. In practice, this has left parties free to raise money without scrutiny, accountability, or disclosure. And the results are damning.

Between March and May 2025, TIZ surveyed 40 political parties. Out of the 28 that responded, 57% contested the 2021 elections. Yet only 25% kept detailed financial records and used bank accounts. Half admitted they never check the source of funds before accepting donations, while a staggering 64% said they take anonymous donations. Even worse, 75% acknowledged receiving money from foreign interests, including foreign governments, companies, and entities.

In short, Zambia’s political parties are wide open to capture—by shadow financiers, foreign actors, and vested interests. Instead of being accountable to citizens, our politicians risk becoming beholden to those who bankroll their campaigns.

This is not a small governance problem. It is a direct threat to our democracy.

Zambia is not operating in a vacuum. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), under Article 7.3, and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUPCC), both oblige member states to regulate and ensure transparency in political party and campaign financing. Other African countries—though not perfect—have taken steps to meet this obligation.

• South Africa requires disclosure of large donations and funds parties through a proportional public fund.
• Kenya allocates at least 0.3% of national revenue to parties through the Political Parties Fund.
• Uganda provides public financing to parties in parliament (though complaints of bias remain).
• Nigeria and Ghana, where private money dominates, provide stark warnings about corporate capture of politics.

Zambia, however, lags behind. Our leaders continue to hide behind constitutional rhetoric while refusing to pass the enabling law that would operationalize Article 60.

Why the resistance?

At the launch of the report in Lusaka on September 2, 2025, attended by political party leaders, representatives, and civil society, the mood in the room revealed an uncomfortable truth: politicians are unwilling to reform because transparency threatens their access to unregulated resources. The old ways are convenient, profitable, and deeply entrenched.

But democracy cannot thrive on secrecy. If leaders continue to cling to the shadows, then elections will remain compromised by hidden money, foreign influence, and illicit financing.

Change is never comfortable. Yes, enforcing financial transparency will disrupt entrenched networks of power. Yes, it may reduce access to easy money. But that is precisely why it is necessary.

Zambia urgently needs a law to regulate political party financing. Such a law must:

• Mandate disclosure of all donations above a set threshold.
• Prohibit anonymous and foreign donations.
• Require audited financial reports published for public scrutiny.
• Introduce public funding mechanisms that level the playing field and reduce dependence on shadow money.

The Constitution demands it. International treaties require it. Citizens deserve it.

Until Zambia fixes its broken system of political party financing, our democracy will remain hostage to money. And when money rules, it is not the people who govern—but those who can afford to buy power.