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Chinsali District is located in Muchinga Province and is the provincial headquarters of the Province after its declaration in the year 2011. Chinsali District lies in UTM Zone 36S. The District covers an approximate surface area of 11,150 square kilometres. It shares its boundaries with Shiwang’andu District to the south, Chama District to the east, Isoka District to north east, Nakonde District to the north and Mungwi to the North West
Chinsali has a humid subtropical climate which is characterized of mild temperatures and uniform rainfall cycles. The average annual rainfall received is 1100mm and the annual mean temperature ranges between 16° and 24ºC. The north-eastern half of the district is relatively flat plateau.
According to the 2010 Census, Chinsali District has a population of about 87,248 people. Of this population, 42,653 is male population and 44,595 is female representing 49 and 51 percent male and female population respectively. 30% of the population live in the urban area while 70% live in the rural area. The District has an estimated 19,218 households with an average of 5 people per household. The District is characterised by a youthful population. In terms of Ethnicity, the Bembas, the Bisa, and the Namwanga are the dominant ethnic groups.
Chinsali District has 1(one) constituency and seventeen (17) wards.
Chinsali has a dual land tenure system with the majority of the land being held under customary tenure. The major urban land use in Chinsali is residential housing owned by individual developers. Under commercial land use, shops mainly located at the main market and at the junction and a few lodges are the major land uses. Other urban land uses include institutional infrastructure (Offices), hospital and clinics, schools/University and churches which fall under special user category. There are no heavy industries in Chinsali except for hammer mills and carpentry shops which fall under light industry category. The major land in the rural parts of the district are for subsistence farming and traditional housing
Lack of private sector investment to stimulate and sustain growth in the local economy remains one of the greatest challenges to socio-economic transformation in the District. The competitive advantage of the District lies in its rich natural resource base – abundant arable land, water and forestry reserves. Its strategic location as the provincial capital stands as a gateway to the important port of Dar es Salaam and also presents exciting opportunities for the transport and logistics industry.
Chinsali District has a substantial population to provide both skilled and unskilled labour. As economic activity grows, the population is expected to grow and attract more skilled and specialized labour for various sectors. Currently the Aquaculture, forestry, agriculture, agro-processing, construction, manufacturing and Livestock farming industries are under developed in the district.
The local economy of Chinsali remains largely underdeveloped with subsistence agriculture, seasonal collection of natural forest products and local trade as the main economic activities. Consequently municipal resources are tight on account of the narrow revenue base. Growth opportunities lie in transport and logistics, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, tourism, mining and energy.
The District has developed and actualized a Local Economic Development Plan (LED) that acts as an investment guide to all prospecting investors to the district.
The increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation and the existing guidelines create an enabling environment for the districts local economy. The major sectors of the economy will see an improvement in service delivery and productivity thereof. Formation of cooperatives, women clubs and youth groupings will allow the local population to not only have socio-economic benefits, but there will be ore jobs created in the informal sector.
Agriculture has been identified as the key driver of the local economy with the proposed development model for the sector being to collectively produce and market the products through cooperatives and out-grower schemes. Value addition projects for fruits and high value crops are priority projects. Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries are key in the district because of the rich natural resource base, abundant arable land, water resources and favorable climatic conditions.
The District has existing tertiary institutions and livestock breeding center that have focused on Aquaculture and Agroforestry at Kapasa Makasa University and Ranching at Mbesuma Breeding Centre. Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries are better positioned as an agro-processing and value addition hub for the Saudi Arabian market for small ruminant.
The vast natural and gazette forests can provide a market for the increasing demand for both indigenous and exotic timber. Currently the district is promoting Community Forests that are being managed by cooperatives to prevent the cutting down of trees. So far, 400hectares of forests are being managed by the community. The target is to have 20,000hectares by 2025.
The district is the home of the Kapasa Makasa University as well as the Paul Mushindo University which is still under construction
The demand for primary and secondary education is still high especially in the rural areas where the schools are located far apart. Hence, the need to increase in the number of schools as well as improve the infrastructure for some of the existing schools.
The district, as at 2022 has 69 Primary, 13 Secondary and 29 community schools. The district also recorded 46 Schools with ECE Centers, 8 Private Pre-Schools, 5 Private Primary Schools and 2 Private Secondary Schools 111 IRI Centres (World Vision. Currently, there are 21,634 boys and 22635 girls in school making a total of 44, 269 learners for both primary and secondary schools. The re-entry program after the free education pronouncement has seen an estimated increase of 40 boys and 20 girls in school.
Chinsali district through the use of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for infrastructure development will be able to improve schools and school infrastructure. Subsequently, this will ensure schools have the infrastructural and human capacity to support the pronouncement of free education (more children in school).
The district houses the ultra-modern Chinsali General Hospital which stands as the main referral hospital in the province. The district also has the Chinsali District Hospital, Location Clinic for Mother and child services, 4 stage 1 health centers and 5 health posts. Through the CDF funding there will be a rise inhealth posts and clinics constructed in the district.
In Chinsali, water supply and sanitation services are categorized into two namely; urban and rural Water Supply and Sanitation
Urban water supply and sewerage services are provided by a water utility company called Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company. In terms of water distribution, urban water supply has a coverage of above 1725kms, connecting about 11600 people. Whereas in the rural areas, their main source of water supply is shallow wells, streams and community hand pumps in some cases. This accounts for 55%of the population of Chinsali.
In the quest to improve urban water and sewerage, (ChaWSSC) has embarked on a new project which involves Construction of the new Dam with design capacity of 5 million cubic metres per year and 200m3/hrs capacity water treatment plant, clear water tank and pump station at Lubu River. The water company also intends to Rehabilitate and upgrade existing water treatment plant
Chambeshi water and sewerage provides portable water for the less privileged members of society through the water kiosks or public stand pipe systems
Muchinga Province is located in the northeast of the country and was created in the year 2011 after detaching it from mother province – Northern Province. The name of the province originates from the Muchinga Escarpment; on which it predominantly sits. The province elongates from southwest to northeast and is located on both sides of the Muchinga Mountains (Muchinga Escarpment).
Office of the Permanent Secretary
Provincial Administration
P.O Box 480137
Chinsali