Economic Development, Investment & Jobs

This summary note provides data to understand what proportion of the national workforce is employed in the construction industry in DFID focus countries. It is based on a report, commissioned through ICED, that seeks to explore opportunities for, and barriers to, the construction industry as a source of productive and decent job creation in LICs. […]

This note summarises key findings on the value of investing in strengthening the construction industry and creating / improving the quality of jobs in the construction industry, and presents related programming considerations. It is based on a report, commissioned through ICED, that seeks to explore opportunities for, and barriers to, the construction industry as a […]

This summary paper identifies programming opportunities and barriers for scaling up quality construction employment for workers resident in DFID focus countries/regions that might have the greatest impact based on the current market and governance profile. These also reflect policy recommendations from a global construction policy dialogue, approved by the Governing Body of the International Labour […]

This executive summary is based on a report, commissioned through ICED, that seeks to explore opportunities for, and barriers to, the construction industry as a source of productive and decent job creation in LICs. The construction sector in DFID focus countries is important in both economic and employment terms, and continues to grow in size. […]

DFID’s Economic Development Strategy sets out a vision for lasting progress from ‘creating productive jobs for women and men that generate rising economic returns and improving working conditions’. The strategy highlights DFID’s ambition to promote inclusive growth through job creation, and to focus on creating jobs for those who are poor and marginalised and operating in […]

Why is understanding cities important? The world is increasingly urban, with 55% of the world’s population living in cities. DFID does a lot of programming in cities, promoting economic growth, better governance and social inclusion. However no two cities are alike, and the hugely varied socio-economic pressures and opportunities cities place on the poor. This means […]

Solwezi is a large town, which is growing rapidly due to the recent construction of one of Zambia’s largest and most productive mine, Kansanshi. The town’s growth is expected to continue and there is a need for public investment to improve services needed by the growing private sector. 

Ndola is the third largest city in Zambia, and the industrial and commercial hub of Zambia’s copperbelt. The city is home to half a million people, roughly a third of those living in Copperbelt Province. Ndola lies just 10km from the border with DRC. Whilst mining contributes significantly to GDP, unemployment is high and Ndola […]

Mongu municipality is the provincial centre for western Zambia, one of the poorest  regions of the country. Mongu’s economy is primarily agricultural, with trade links to Angola and Lusaka. There is potential for tourism as a gateway to the Barotse flood plain and Luiwe Plains National Park.

Mbala is a small but growing town on the border with Tanzania. Unlike many border  towns its economy is only loosely linked with its neighbour. Instead the town acts as an  economic and service hub for surrounding rural agricultural communities, and a supply  hub for nearby national parks.