AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP COUNTRY: ZAMBIA PROJECT: SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROJECT SUMMARY ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) Prepared for the Government of Zambia Dr. Rosemary Fumpa Makano1 Consultant 20 AUGUST 2015 PostNet E835 Box 97, Kabulonga Lusaka, Zambia 1 Contact:
[email protected] ESMP SUMMARY Project Title: SKILLS DEVELEOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROJECT Project Number: P-ZM-IE0-002 Country: ZAMBIA Department: OSHD Division: POVERTY REDUCTION AND SOCIAL PROTECTION DIVISION Project Category: 2 PROJECT STARTING DATE: JANUARY 2015 PROJECT COMPLETION DATE: DECEMBER 2020 PERIOD COVERED BY THE PLAN: 5 YEARS 1. INTRODUCTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AND KEY ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMPONENTS Project Area: Physical, biological and human conditions Zambia is endowed with abundant natural resources that include water, forests, wildlife, fertile land and mineral resources. Yet it is among the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDC). This is a condition from which the nation is striving to break away and to one day become a developed country. Many rural districts of Zambia have high levels of poverty that characterize their lifestyle. Although not often mentioned, urban poverty is also quite high in many parts of Africa. Zambia has a high urban poverty that is partially attributed to a high rural–urban migration (Mshigeni, K.E, 2009). Another key factor contributing to underdevelopment of rural Zambia directly relates to a combination of factors among which lack of skills and industry to transform natural resources into value added products is prominent. Lack of skills and basic infrastructures exacerbates rural poverty which stands at an average of 70% (CSO, 2010).