The government confirmed that the link being shared on WhatsApp is fake.
A link being shared within WhatsApp groups in Zambia, claiming to show that the Government of Zambia is disbursing instant Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans of up to K1,000 to all citizens through mobile wallets, is a hoax.
On clicking the website, it reads, “Zambian CDF loans & grants—This service allows you to instantly activate a Zambian constituency development fund (CDF) loan of up to K1000 Zambian Kwacha! You will receive it instantly on airtel money”. Below these words is a blue box labelled “Get a loan,” which one is required to click.
However, there is no official government program offering instant mobile wallet disbursements of K1,000 under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). According to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), the CDF is the genuine government initiative that allocates funds to each of Zambia's 156 constituencies for community development. These funds support infrastructure projects, empowerment grants, and technical training bursaries.
CDF resources are disbursed through an application process managed by local councils and Constituency Development Fund Committees (CDFCs). Applications for empowerment funds or grants must be submitted in person or through ward offices and include required documentation such as business plans or cooperative registration.
Ms. Mwanza performed a Whois search to establish whether this application portal is registered by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in Zambia. However, results show it is registered in the United States and does not belong to any official Zambian government domain, which typically ends with gov.zm.
The website features characteristics common in scam or phishing sites, such as vague offers, urgent calls to action, and requests to share the link via WhatsApp.
The official website is: https://www.mlgrd.gov.zm/. This was verified through a domain search conducted on the 'Zambia WHOIS Service' page of the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) website.
Additionally, Ms. Mwanza reached out to Sandra Chishala, a Social Economic Planner of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, who said there is no provision for “instant” transfers via mobile wallets or online applications through third-party websites. The MLGRD has previously warned the public about such fraudulent sites impersonating government initiatives.
To apply legitimately for CDF loans or grants, eligible Zambian citizens are requested to visit their Ward Development Committee, Council offices, or verify application procedures from the official website of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
The claim that the Zambian government is giving out K1,000 CDF loans via mobile wallets through offerzhub.xyz is a HOAX.
This fact-check was produced by Mzeziti Mwanza as part of the African Fact-checking Alliance incubation program. It was produced with peer mentorship from Code for Africa’s fact-checking initiative, PesaCheck, with financial support from Norway. AFCA mentorship respects the journalistic independence of the researchers, offering access to advanced techniques and tools.