Research Work
'We are passionate about Research'
Research projects are led by Research Fellows who are responsible for various economic research and policy analysis programmes. Each Research Fellow I is responsible for a research area called a Unit. ZIPAR has Six (6) units: Emerging Themes, Human Development, Macroeconomics, Public Finance, Trade & Investment and Transport & Infrastructure Development. Research findings are disseminated to the Government, politicians, the private sector and civil society through policy dissemination workshops, annual conferences, seminars, media meetings and publications.
The organisation structure also permits flexibility in the determination of thematic areas for the inclusion of emerging policy themes.
Thematic Areas
Transport & Infrastructure Development
The Transport and Infrastructure Development Unit focuses on issues relating to the development and provision of physical infrastructure and transport services. The sub-sectors the unit focuses on include: Transportation, information and communications technology, solid waste management, construction, housing and amenities, water and energy infrastructure.
Trade & Investment
The Trade and Investment Unit researches domestic and international trade policy issues. The main objective of the unit is to strengthen Zambia’s capacity in identifying suitable domestic trade reforms. The unit further supports the development of appropriate investment policies while encouraging regional cooperation and international trade policy dialogue.
Macroeconomics
The overall goal of the Macroeconomics Unit is to foster and promote high quality research and policy analysis in the area of macroeconomics. The macroeconomy is affected by many forces, and as such, economic indicators are invaluable to assessing different aspects of economic performance. Therefore, the Macroeconomics Unit focus includes but not limited to issues related to the gross domestic product (GDP), interest rates, exchange rate movements, inflation and the cost of living."
- Project on modalities for Road Construction Funding
- Capacity Building in Logistics Management and Policy
- Zambia Institute of Logistics and Transport
- Ministry of Transport and Logistics
Public Finance
The Public Finance Unit’s overall goal is to improve public policy for growth through policy analysis and research. It focusses on the analysis of public expenditure management, domestic and public external debt, and tax policy.
Human Development
The Human Development Unit researches in areas of poverty, education, health, labour markets and other social sectors. The unit provides a resource base on objectively researched policy issues in the social sector in Zambia, and to build capacity in social policy analysis, especially in Government and the private sector.
Emerging Themes
The Emerging Themes Unit researches on various interdisciplinary and cross-cutting issues relevant to policy and sustainable development. The Unit provides sound policy analysis and research in areas such as Climate Change, Energy, Gender, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Mining.