The United States has given nearly $23 million to Zambia as part of a two year initiative to help the southern African nation fight corruption and improve its government.
The money is part of a U.S. program, Millennium Challenge Corporation, aimed at improving democracy and good governance in developing nations.
The head of the program John Danilovich said at the signing ceremony in Washington Monday that fighting corruption is an essential component in reducing poverty. He said corruption undermines efforts to stimulate growth and spread opportunity.
He praised Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa for his efforts to root out corruption in the country.
Zambia's minister of finance and national planning Ng'andu Magande and the country's ambassador to the United States Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika represented Zambia at the ceremony.