Cooperating and Development Partners

While Zambia’s economy continues to grow, driven by the mining sector, agriculture and non-traditional exports, government revenues continue to be insufficient to meet the growing needs for investment in infrastructure, health, education, social services and other economic sectors. This gap is partially met by continuing support from cooperating and development partners that range in size from the large, multi- and bi-lateral development agencies to small, private initiatives.

The support being provided ranges from budget support to large-scale, multi-million dollar interventions and smaller scale projects. Each requires not only financial but also human resources and skills for its implementation, often entailing the use of foreign staff and experts where Zambian expertise is insufficient or not available. To make up for these deficiencies, many programmes incorporate an element of capacity building to develop Zambian expertise and experience, but this is a long-term process.

A number of cooperating and development partners have turned to delegating programme implementation to Zambian organisations, both private and public sector, or the Zambian operations of international NGOs, consulting firms and other agencies. This is in accord with recent development accords, such as the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action, which seek to place increasing responsibility in national hands. In the long-term this is a desirable development as it will build the institutional and organisational capabilities of the beneficiary country but in the short-term entail certain governance, management and financial risks.

As the long established Zambian member of the world’s fifth largest professional accounting, audit and business advisory services network, BDO is well placed to support cooperating and development partners in implementing their programmes in Zambia. We can take on specific aspects of a programme or provide standard or tailored services to meet your needs.

BDO is already a significant provider of financial and advisory services to international and local NGOs and charities and has worked with major development agencies. Our staff also includes professionals who have developed and managed large and small-scale programmes for international agencies and who are familiar with their operational and reporting requirements.

BDO has the staff, skills and experience to support Zambia’s development partners in implementing and managing their Zambian interventions.

Benefits of BDO Services

The benefits to cooperating and development partners from using BDO’s services include:

• Professional services from an experienced local provider with a world-wide network
• In-house national, regional and international programme management and support experience
• Reduced need for expatriate staff, lowering overhead costs
• Services available as and when needed, with no long-term commitment
• Comfort from knowing that the necessary financial and organisational systems and safeguards are in place and monitored on a regular basis.