Government Revives Mandatory Public Service Training and Certification 

By Alain Kabinda 

LUSAKA, Zambia – The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring mandatory public service training and certification as part of broader efforts to improve efficiency, professionalism, and accountability in the public service. 

Speaking during a breakfast meeting on public service training and certification organized by the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), the Government emphasized that strengthening institutional capacity remains central to improving service delivery across the country. 

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Administration, Dr. Oliver Kalabo has commended NIPA for organizing the event and expressed appreciation to the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), through the Good Financial Governance Project, for supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing public sector capacity.

 Dr. Kalabo also noted that the partnership had facilitated several important activities, including the breakfast meeting and NIPA's benchmarking visit to the National Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM) in Namibia. 

Dr. Kalabo added that the restoration of mandatory public service training and certification is intended to revive the high standards of discipline, competence, and professionalism that once characterized Zambia's public service. 

It observed that in the past, public officers underwent structured induction, foundation training, and mentorship before confirmation into the public service, but that the weakening of the system over the years has contributed to inefficiencies and slower service delivery. 

To address the challenge, the Government has restored NIPA's statutory mandate and is rebuilding the country's public service training architecture in collaboration with government institutions and cooperating partners. 

As part of the reforms, the Government recently launched the Zambia Public Service Change Management Framework, the Public Service Competence Development and Certification Strategy, and the Zambia Public Service Delivery Curriculum and Toolkit. 

And According to Dr. Kalabo the Change Management Framework and the Public Service Delivery Curriculum and Toolkit have been designed as self-paced learning programmes aimed at strengthening discipline while re-establishing the link between training, probation, confirmation in service, and career progression. 

He further acknowledged the technical, financial, and material support provided by stakeholders and cooperating partners, including GIZ, Delivery Associates, and Zanga Metrics. 

Dr. Kalabo further revealed that NIPA successfully inducted more than 2,000 professionals over the past year, including immediate past ministers, permanent secretaries, and non-accounting staff from the Ministry of Education. 

With the General Election scheduled for August 13, 2026, the Government said similar induction and capacity-building programmes will be rolled out to prepare the next cohort of public office bearers and senior public servants. 

The Government reiterated its expectation of greater accountability among public service workers and called for improved, efficient, and citizen-centred service delivery. It also urged NIPA, government institutions, and cooperating partners to continue implementing training and certification programmes across the public service. 

He also called on for sustained collaboration among all stakeholders to build a professional, competent, ethical, and responsive public service capable of meeting the needs of citizens and strengthening public confidence in government institutions.

Meanwhile, NIPA Executive Director Professor Jacob R. S. Malungo said the institute remained committed to supporting Government’s efforts to strengthen public service training and certification.

Professor Malungo said NIPA would continue working with government institutions and cooperating partners to build a professional, competent, and responsive public service.

He added that continued collaboration among training institutions, Government, and cooperating partners would be essential in restoring a culture of excellence and professionalism in the public service.

The meeting brought together officials from government institutions, training bodies, and cooperating partners to discuss strategies for strengthening public service capacity and improving service delivery nationwide.