UCLGA-LEDNA Joint Team visits Botswana and Zambia 

From 23 to 26 November 2009, a joint team of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) and the Local Economic Development Network for Africa (LEDNA) undertook a multi-country mission in Botswana and Zambia. The purpose of the mission was to establish the type of interventions that would be required for each country in order to launch an LED project and start developing a plan towards an appropriate process and methodology for both country.

In each country, the UCLGA-LEDNA team composed of Mr Charles Patsika, UCLGA Programme Manager, and Mr François Yatta, LEDNA Coordinator, met with the leadership and project team of the national associations of local government, authorities at ministries of local government to secure their commitment for the launch of national LED programmes.

The multi-country mission came as a part of key recommendations of an LED workshop convened by the UCLGA in partnership with LEDNA from 20 – 21 August 2009 in Tshwane. The two-day workshop held at the UCLGA Interim Secretariat brought together representatives of UCLGA, LEDNA, the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA), the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to establish the needs and prerequisites for the launch of national LED programmes in Botswana and Zambia as part of the pilot phase of the UCLGA LED Project in partnership with LEDNA. 

Upon completion of the mission, it was agreed with all consulted stakeholders that pilot projects on LED be implemented in both countries. To this end, two local authorities for each country will be selected by the national associations to participate in the pilot projects.   

For more information please contact: ckpatsika@uclgafrica.org