The Price of Success

In Zambia (and across Africa), becoming financially stable is not just a personal milestone — it often comes with an invisible contract. As soon as you "make it," there’s a silent expectation: you don’t eat alone. You're expected to send money home, cover school fees for younger siblings, help with funerals, chip in for groceries — the list goes on. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as “Black Tax,” isn’t officially written anywhere, but almost every working Zambian knows it’s real.

While rooted in a beautiful spirit of Ubuntu — community, generosity, family — Black Tax can also be heavy. If left unmanaged, it can delay your personal progress, strain relationships, and even leave you stuck in the same financial cycle you’re trying to break.

What exactly is Black Tax?

Black Tax refers to the financial support that many young African professionals — especially first-generation earners — give to their extended families, often out of obligation. This support can include:

• Monthly allowances to parents or guardians

• Paying siblings’ school fees or university tuition

• Buying groceries for the household back home

• Contributing to extended family emergencies (funerals, hospital bills)

• Helping cousins get on their feet — with rent, transport, or business capital

It’s called a "tax" not because it’s enforced by law, but because it's often unavoidable, expected, and comes right off your income.

The cultural and emotional layer

Zambia is a deeply communal society. We grow up being told “you are because we are.” This is why many people feel it's unthinkable to refuse helping family when they start earning. 

Some common beliefs include:

• “Your education was paid for by the family, so now you must return the favour.”

• “You’re the lucky one — help others rise too.”

• “What’s yours is ours.”

While well-meaning, these beliefs often place pressure on the few financially active members of the family — usually the eldest, or the first to graduate.

The hidden costs of Black Tax

Black Tax isn't just about the money. It can also lead to:

1. Delayed personal goals
2. Financial stress and burnout
3. Perpetuating the cycle

How to set boundaries without breaking bonds

Setting boundaries with loved ones can be hard — but necessary. Here's how to do it respectfully:

1. Be honest about your situation

Explain your own goals: saving for a house, paying off debt, starting a business. If they understand your plan, they’ll be more likely to support it (or at least respect it).

2. Set a fixed family support budget

Decide how much you can afford to give monthly — say K500 — and stick to it. This creates structure and removes guilt-driven spending.

3. Say no without saying no

Try phrases like:

• “I’d love to help, but my budget won’t allow it this month.”

• “I can’t pay all of it, but I can contribute something small.”

• “I’m working towards something right now — can we revisit this in a few months?”

4. Focus on empowering support

Instead of recurring handouts, invest in long-term solutions:

• Pay for a short course or certification

• Help start a side business

• Offer career coaching or job-hunting support

Building a future that works for everyone

It’s possible to honour your family without sacrificing your own financial dreams. 

Here’s how:

• Teach your family members basic financial literacy

• Involve them in your goals (e.g. “When I buy land, we all benefit”)

• Be transparent about your limits and vision

• Encourage self-sufficiency, especially among younger relatives

Conclusion: your financial freedom helps everyone

Supporting family is noble, and for many Zambians, it’s a sacred duty. But you can’t pour from an empty cup. True empowerment comes when you're financially stable and able to uplift others in sustainable ways. So, don’t feel guilty for setting boundaries. Financial freedom isn’t selfish — it’s the foundation for lifting others in a meaningful, lasting way.