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Item The Impact of the Adoption of FINTECH by Commercial Banks in Lusaka CBD for Profit & Provision of Quality Services(University of Lusaka, 2025) THOLE, JosephineThe Global financial crisis of 2008 set the stage for the expansion of financial technology, an innovation that uses technological systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in financial transactions and operations. The emergence of fintech posed a threat to the market share of traditional banks, through its ability to reach and serve vast numbers of people spread out in different geographical locations including the unbanked. This awakened the need for collaboration of fintech and traditional banks. The limited knowledge pertaining to the impact of the integration of fintech led to the investigation of its impact on commercial banks in the Lusaka Central Business District for profit and provision of quality financial services. This study was guided by the following specific aims; firstly, to find out what the impact of the adoption of fintech by commercial banks in Lusaka central business district has been, to analyse how the adoption of fintech by commercial banks in Lusaka central business district influences the provision of quality financial services, to find out the role that fintech plays in commercial banks’ provision of quality financial services, and to investigate how the adoption of fintech by commercial banks has led to profit for commercial banks. Using the mixed methods approach, this study utilized the concurrent design to collect data using a self-administered questionnaire as well as a structured interview guide. Furthermore, non-probability sampling was used, particularly, the purposive and convenience sampling to narrow down our sample after which the quantitative data collected was input into SPSS and qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Subsequently, the conclusion was that there indeed has been adoption of fintech by commercial banks. It was established that fintech has been a contributor to banks profit and provision of quality financial services. Although fintech has not been the sole contributor to profits and provision of quality financial services, it has been a catalyst to ensuring the attainment of profit. The future of banking hinges heavily on innovation and customer centricity among other factors, therefore, the onus is for banks to determine the direction of these innovations to maintain their place as market leadersItem Stakeholder Engagements and its Impact on Community Projects Outcome: A Case Study of the Luangwa Community Forest REDD+ Project(University of Lusaka, 2025) PHIRI, Constance NyawaCommunity projects are powerful instruments for addressing many social problems and attaining development that is sustainable at the local level. This kind of initiative's success usually relies on the quality of stakeholder engagement in a broad, multi-disciplinary approach that gathers and mobilizes perspectives and skills throughout the project life cycle. However, this paper explored the impact of stakeholder engagement on community project outcomes through a case study focused on the Luangwa Community Forest REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Project in Zambia. The REDD+ Project with its geographical area of more than one million hectares, cutting across three provinces and affecting more than 225 000 people is the largest REDD+ project in the African continent aiming at conservating the forest while promoting forest conservation and carbon offsetting-related activities alongside socioeconomic development. The study employed a mixed methods approach combing the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data to better understand stakeholder engagement and its role in the implementation of community projects. Quantitative data was obtained from a questionnaire survey of 385 community household heads and qualitative data was obtained from an in-depth interview with 33 core stakeholders, comprising of local leaders, government professionals, and environmental groups. Data analysis of Quantitative data from in-depth interviews was statistically explored using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel to find patterns, correlations, and trends regarding stakeholder engagement and project results. Qualitative data from interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes, perceptions, and recommendations associated with stakeholder engagement. The results of the study highlighted key practices of engagement such as Free Prior and Informed Consent, needs surveys, capacity-building workshops, and community meetings contribute to a component of project success. The results underline how such an important role as stakeholder collaboration plays in increasing ownership of the projects, while at the same time it enables efficient use of resources, reduces risks, and achieves successful project results, which in turn facilitate sustainable development. Furthermore, the findings indicate that efficient stakeholder engagement brings about a sense of shared interest, ensures transparency, and makes allowance for consideration of the specific needs of the local context. For example, it was found that 77.8% of respondents stressed the positive role of stakeholder engagement with respect to establishing trust, community involvement, and long-term commitment to the outcome of the project. The results also elucidate that participatory approaches must be adopted to strike a cognitive balance between environmental conservation and community development. On the contrary, 13.9% of the respondents expressed negative effects of stakeholder engagements due to the priority and resource title conflicts and constraints of the participants, contrary to the progress. Furthermore, there is a need to find proper strategies to ensure a balance so that the negative impacts of stakeholder engagements are minimized. Therefore, the study puts forward recommendations for policy makers and project implementers to consider. One such recommendation is to conduct training and awareness programs for local communities and authorities on the importance of equitable resource distribution and decision-making and establish Inclusive Governance Structures and engage local traditional leaders, women’s groups, and youth representatives in forming and running these committees to encourage participatory decision making. Lastly for future research, the study should consider examining the ways in which gender dynamics affect participation, decision making, and benefit-sharing for the REDD+ projects.Item An Analysis of the Relationship between Financial Planning and MSME Profitability(University of Lusaka, 2025) MANYONGO, Terry NetsaiThis paper examines how financial planning affects Zambian MSMEs' profitability. The major objectives of the study were to determine how much financial planning affects MSMEs' profitability, how much awareness there is of financial planning among MSMEs, what advantages financial planning offers MSMEs, and how difficult financial planning is for MSMEs. Using a mixed-approaches research design, collection and analysis of data utilised both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. While quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, qualitative data was analysed using a thematic approach. There were 290 MSMEs in the study's sample. Cash flow statements and budgets, which are used for financial planning, showed to be significant predictors of MSMEs' profitability. However, it is important to note that a number of factors will determine how much these variables impact MSMEs' profitability. A number of challenges that MSMEs face have when it comes to financial planning were highlighted, including the requirement for specialized knowledge and the applicability of financial planning in the current changing business climate, to name a few. Since financial planning has been shown to help achieve seamless operations and aid in important financial decision making, the study advised MSMEs to actively pursue it. The report also recommended that quasi -governmental organizations actively participate in promoting financial planning knowledge.Item Effects of Budget Practices and Control on Performance of Local Government Projects: A Case of Lusaka City Council(University of Lusaka, 2025) MUTALE, KasondeLocal governments play a crucial role in delivering essential services and implementing development projects that improve the well-being of citizens. However, their ability to execute these projects effectively is often determined by the robustness of financial management and budget practices. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the effects budgeting and financial management procedures used in Lusaka City government projects. This study was underpinned on the Agency Theory, Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory, and Systems Theory. The study employed a concurrent mixed - methods research approach in which quantitative data was collected through survey questionnaires and qualitative data through semi - structured interviews. Key findings revealed that 49.4% of participants disagreed that stakeholders participate in budget planning, while 37% strongly agreed that stakeholder involvement remains a significant challenge. Furthermore, 87.7% of respondents reported that funds are not disbursed on time, and 63% agreed that delays in budget approval hinder effective project implementation. Notably, 74.1% of participants (strongly agreeing and agreeing) supported the introduction of a new budget and financial control framework, recognizing its potential to improve resource allocation, reduce wastage, and enhance project outcomes. The strongest positive correlation with project performance was observed for budget planning (r = 0.623, p < 0.01), indicating that thorough planning significantly enhances the likelihood of project success. The study concluded that enhancing stakeholder participation, ensuring timely fund disbursement, and addressing delays in budget approval are essential to improving project performance. It further went on to recommend implementing accountability mechanisms, strengthening financial oversight, and fostering transparency through a revised budget framework. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the challenges of budget practices in local government. It proposes a practical framework emphasizing stakeholder engagement, efficient financial controls, and continuous improvement to optimize budget processes and promote sustainable project success. Key words: financial management, budget planning, project performanceItem Determinants of Female Labour Force Participation in Zambia: A Cross-sectional Analysis, 2022(University of Lusaka, 2025) PHIRI, EdgarWomen represent nearly half (49.6%) of the global population but are significantly underrepresented in the labour force, with participation rates nearly 27% lower than men. In Zambia, the 2022 Labour Force Survey revealed that labour force participation was 43.8% for males and only 28.7% for females, despite government efforts to promote gender equality through policy frameworks and commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study analysed the determinants of Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP) in Zambia using secondary data from the 2022 Labour Force Survey. Employing a logistic regression model, the research examined individual, household, and geographical factors influencing FLFP. Key variables included age, education, marital status, number of children, sex of the household head, household size, household income, rural/urban residence and province. The findings revealed that age, education, and rural/urban residence positively influenced FLFP. Conversely, being married, widowed or living in a female-headed household reduced women’s likelihood of labour force participation. Household income and size were not statistically significant, indicating that cultural and social factors might play a more significant role. Regional disparities were also observed, with participation rates varying across provinces. This study underscores the importance of addressing gender disparities in employment to promote FLFP and ultimately inclusive economic growth. It contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the determinants of FLFP in Zambia, offering valuable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance women's economic participation. Keywords: Determinants of Female Labour Force Participation, Female Labour Force Participation, Gender Disparities, Inclusive Economic Growth, Logistic Regression Analysis, Regional Disparities and Zambia Labour Force SurveyItem Initial Public Offering Performance on the Lusaka Securities Exchange: Assessing Long Term Outcomes and Market Efficiency(University of Lusaka, 2025) MUMBA, Katemba RobertThis study examined the performance of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) on the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) to better understand the dynamics of IPO pricing and performance in an emerging market. The research focused on the following key variables; Firm Size, Issue Size, Subscription Level, and Age of the Firm. The aim was to identify the factors that drive short-term under-pricing and long-term underperformance of IPOs on LuSE. Cumulative Abnormal Returns (CAR) and Buyand-Hold Abnormal Returns (BHAR) was used to analyse IPO performance over different time periods. The study revealed significant under-pricing in the short term and underperformance in the long term. The results were consistent with trends observed in other emerging markets. The findings indicated that market inefficiencies, information asymmetry, and investor behaviour played important roles in modelling IPO outcomes on LuSE. Despite the significance of firm-specific variables, the low explanatory power of the regression models (as evidenced by low R-squared values) suggested that factors like investor sentiment and speculative behaviour had a substantial effect on IPO long term performance but were difficult to capture using conventional methods. This research highlighted the need for regulatory reforms to improve market transparency, enforce better disclosure standards, and enhance investor education to mitigate speculative behaviour. Additionally, increasing institutional investor participation and strengthening corporate governance could significantly improve the efficiency and stability of the IPO market on LuSE. The study concluded with practical recommendations, aimed at perfecting the IPO process and reducing inefficiencies in the market. Future research was recommended to explore the effects of macroeconomic factors, behavioural finance elements, and the role of institutional investors in the IPO markets of emerging economies.Item Performance Evaluation and Employee Satisfaction(University of Lusaka, 2025) ZULU, ChikondiThe present study investigated the effect of performance evaluation systems on job attitudes and satisfaction among employees in Swan, Professional Insurance Corporation Zambia, and ZSIC General Insurance. This was done to assess how design and implementation affect motivation, how subjective performance evaluation affects motivation, the nature of the relation between negative job attitude and performance, and how working condition factors influence satisfaction. A quantitative research design was adopted, thus incorporating a structured questionnaire to collect data from employees across the three insurance companies. The analyzed data used descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis to test the relationships between the variables and the significance of the findings. The results indicated that clarity and fairness in PES design were the most potent motivators for employees, with fairness as the most crucial. Subjective performance appraisal had a moderate influence on motivation, which, in turn, was influenced by perceptions of fairness and accuracy. Negative job attitudes, especially those related to productivity, adversely affected performance, while attitudes pertaining to work behavior had little influence. Among the working conditions, work-life balance turned out to be the strongest predictor of employee satisfaction, followed by resources and tools. The study recommended that fair and transparent PES will motivate employees and increase their satisfaction. Training evaluators was recommended to reduce biases in subjective evaluations, and supportive policies should be implemented in order to help reduce negative job attitudes, particularly those which affect productivity. Organizations were further called upon to ensure work life balance and make resources available to increase satisfaction. Future research needs to be done on the long-term effects of PES on retention, comparisons across industries, cultural influences on attitudes, and integration of technology into PESItem An Assessment of the Relationship Between Employee Training and Employee Performance in NAPSA Headquarters(University of Lusaka, 2025) KALILO, TinaliThis study examined the relationship between employee training and performance at NAPSA Headquarters, with a focus on onboarding training, training needs assessment (TNA), e-training programs, and face-to-face training. The primary objective was to investigate how these training methods influenced employee performance and to assess their role in enhancing organizational productivity. By identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each training approach, the study aimed to provide actionable insights for improving NAPSA's training programs. A quantitative research methodology was employed, utilizing a sample of 172 employees selected through simple random sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using ANOVA and regression analysis in SPSS 27. The study measured the impact of each training method on employee performance, with a particular emphasis on identifying statistically significant correlations and regression coefficients. The findings revealed that face-to-face training had a strong positive association with employee performance, highlighting its effectiveness in fostering skill development and immediate feedback. In contrast, onboarding training showed a significant negative correlation with performance, suggesting that the current program failed to meet employee needs. TNA and e-training programs were found to have weak and statistically insignificant impacts on performance, indicating a need for improvement in their design and implementation. Based on these results, the study recommended redeveloping onboarding and e-training programs, enhancing the TNA process, and prioritizing face to-face training while exploring blended learning approaches. The study concluded that while face-to-face training was a critical driver of performance, other training methods required reassessment to better align with employee needs and organizational goals.Item The Effectiveness of Risk Mitigation Strategies in Project Portfolios in Zambia(University of Lusaka, 2025) MWANSA, ShadrachThis study examined the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies within project portfolios in Zambia, focusing on EaRN Zambia, Seeds of Change, and Bracing Africa’s health which are Zambian non-governmental organisations. The research aimed to assess how these organizations identified, assessed, and managed risks while ensuring project sustainability. A qualitative case study approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews and document analysis to collect data from 13 key stakeholders across the three organizations. Findings revealed that risk mitigation strategies varied significantly among the organizations. EaRN Zambia relied on scenario planning to anticipate uncertainties, whereas Seeds of Change integrated community engagement and education as proactive measures. Brasys prioritized data-driven decision-making to monitor and address risks. The study highlighted key challenges, including financial constraints, resistance to change, and operational complexities. The research contributed to the field by emphasizing the need for context-specific strategies aligned with organizational goals. Key recommendations included enhancing risk-awareness training for staff and improving stakeholder engagement through participatory approaches. These findings provided actionable insights for policymakers and development organizations in Zambia’s project management sector. Based on these insights, the study proposes a context specific risk management framework tailored to Zambia’s socio-economic environment. This framework integrates contingency-driven practices, participatory decision-making, and cost-effective monitoring tools, offering actionable guidance for policymakers and NGOs. The research contributes to risk management literature by bridging global theories with local realities, emphasizing the role of institutional and cultural contexts in shaping resilience. Keywords: Risk mitigation, project management, Zambia, scenario planning, stakeholder engagement, qualitative case studyItem The Role of in Enhancing Financial Inclusion in the Zambian Banking Sector(University of Lusaka, 2025) SIBONGO, MosesThis study investigated the role of fintech in enhancing financial inclusion within Zambia's banking sector. The research focused on four specific objectives: evaluating the impact of fintech innovations, fintech solutions, regulatory frameworks and financial literacy on financial inclusion. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. The quantitative data were collected through questionnaires administered to 100 respondents, while the qualitative insights were obtained from indepth interviews with 5 key informants. Statistical analyses, including Chi-Square tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s R, and Spearman correlations, were used to examine the relationships between fintech solutions, innovations, regulatory frameworks, and financial literacy programs with financial inclusion. The study found that fintech innovations and solutions significantly enhance financial inclusion, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. Mobile wallets, digital loans, and peer-to-peer lending were identified as major contributors to increased access to financial services. However, challenges such as digital illiteracy, weak infrastructure, and low smartphone penetration hinder broader adoption in rural areas. Regulatory frameworks, while supportive of fintech growth, were found to impose high compliance costs and exclude marginalized populations due to strict Know Your Customer requirements. Financial literacy programs supported by fintech had a moderate positive impact but were limited in their reach and effectiveness, especially for underserved groups. Recommendations include improving infrastructure through public-private partnerships, enhancing digital literacy programs tailored for rural and underserved populations, refining regulatory frameworks to reduce compliance burdens, and promoting inclusive financial literacy programs. Specific strategies targeting women and other disadvantaged groups are essential for ensuring equitable access to financial services. Future research should focus on the long-term impact of fintech on rural communities and explore its role in empowering women economically and socially. Keywords: Fintech, Financial Inclusion, Zambia, Regulatory Frameworks, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy Programs.