How the Emoluments Commission Supports Trade and Investment

The Emoluments Commission doesn’t negotiate trade deals or sign off on investments; that’s not its job. Its role is quieter than that: setting fair, sustainable public-sector pay so the institutions investors actually deal with are staffed by people who stick around and know what they’re doing.

That was the message presented by the Commission at the 98th Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka, held under the theme “Fostering Trade and Investment”. The Commission is using its stand in Zambia Hall to explain how remuneration policy connects with public-sector performance, service delivery and national development.

How public-sector pay affects trade and investment

Investors interact with government through regulators, licensing bodies, tax agencies, local authorities, ministries and other public institutions. The speed, consistency and professionalism of those institutions can affect the cost and predictability of doing business.

A remuneration framework that is competitive enough to attract and retain skills, equitable enough to support morale, and affordable enough to protect public finances can therefore improve the environment in which trade and investment take place. The connection is not automatic: pay policy must be accompanied by accountability, sound management, clear performance standards and efficient systems.

Four channels linking remuneration to the investment climate

1. Stronger institutional capacity

Public institutions require economists, engineers, accountants, legal specialists, technology professionals and administrators. Transparent job evaluation and sustainable pay structures can help institutions recruit and retain the capabilities required to regulate markets and deliver services effectively.

2. More predictable public finances

The public wage bill is a major fiscal commitment. If remuneration decisions are fragmented or unaffordable, they can crowd out infrastructure and public services. A harmonised approach can support fiscal planning and reduce unbudgeted pressures, which matters to investors assessing macroeconomic and policy risk.

3. Better service delivery

Businesses rely on public services ranging from permits and standards certification to customs administration and infrastructure management. Fair remuneration alone cannot guarantee performance, but it is one part of building a motivated and professional public service.

4. Trust and consistency

Clear and equitable pay-setting rules can strengthen trust within the public sector and reduce unexplained disparities. Predictable institutions are valuable to both domestic enterprises and foreign investors because they lower administrative uncertainty.

Louise Mulube visits the Commission stand

The Commission received Louise Mulube, Permanent Secretary in the Public Service Management Division. Ms Mulube is also a Commission board member and chairs its Accounts and Administration Committee.

She visited the stand and interacted with Commission staff as they explained the institution’s mandate and its contribution to a stronger public service.

What visitors can learn in Zambia Hall

Members of the public are being invited to speak with specialists from the Commission’s Research and Remuneration, Job Analysis and Evaluation, and Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement functions.

These teams can explain how jobs are assessed, how remuneration recommendations are developed and how compliance with the relevant framework is monitored. Visitors can also collect information packs and educational materials about the Commission’s work.

The policy test: fairness, performance and affordability

The Commission’s trade-and-investment contribution should ultimately be judged against three tests: whether remuneration is fair across comparable roles, whether it helps institutions secure the skills needed for quality service delivery, and whether the resulting wage commitments are sustainable within Zambia’s fiscal limits.

Getting that balance right can support institutional credibility. Getting it wrong can either weaken the public service through poor retention or place excessive pressure on the national budget. The value lies in disciplined, evidence-based remuneration governance rather than higher pay in isolation.

This analysis extends our earlier report on the Emoluments Commission’s public engagement at the show. Readers can also consult our guide to the 98th Agricultural and Commercial Show and explore more reporting in the Business & Economy silo and Leadership & Governance section.

Scenes from the Emoluments Commission stand

Source and photographs: Emoluments Commission.