Why Trade With Zambia?
Zambia's strategic location provides direct road access to the DRC, Angola, Tanzania, Malawi, and the broader SADC and COMESA regions, making it an ideal centre for regional distribution.
Zambia is a significant exporter of processed agricultural products, including corn meal, sugar, cooking oil, and other consumer foods, particularly to the large, food-deficit market in the neighbouring DRC.
The country has a growing capacity to produce and export manufactured goods like cement, fertilizers, and consumer products, creating new regional sourcing opportunities.
Zambia is integral to multiple transport corridors, including routes to the ports of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Durban (South Africa), Walvis Bay (Namibia), and Lobito (Angola), offering traders multiple options for import and export.
With a long history of peaceful transitions and a stable democratic environment, Zambia offers a secure and predictable platform for conducting cross-border trade.
Zambia's membership in two of Africa's largest trading blocs provides businesses with preferential access to a vast regional market.
Zambia: Unlocking a Land-Linked Hub for Regional Trade
Zambia's trade policy is a core component of its national development agenda, as detailed in its Eighth National Development Plan (8th NDP). The primary objective is to transform the economy from its historic dependence on copper exports towards a more diversified and resilient structure driven by the private sector. The strategy focuses on promoting value addition in key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, enhancing export competitiveness, and leveraging its central location to become a premier hub for trade and transit in Southern and Central Africa.
Global & Bilateral Integration:
- World Trade Organisation (WTO): Zambia is a member of the multilateral rules-based trading system.
- EU-ESA EPA: The interim EPA provides duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market, supporting diversification in agriculture and horticulture.
Continental & Regional Integration:
- AfCFTA: Zambia’s national strategy promotes non-traditional exports, especially processed agricultural and manufactured goods.
- COMESA: Hosts the COMESA HQ; benefits from FTA market access across Eastern and Southern Africa.
- SADC: Membership enhances trade with Southern African partners; Zambia serves as a bridge between COMESA and SADC regions.
- Zambia Development Agency (ZDA): One-stop investment facilitator, supporting investors and promoting exports.
- MFEZs: Zones like Lusaka South and Chambishi offer fiscal/non-fiscal incentives to attract industrial investment.
Zambia is shifting from exporting raw materials to becoming a hub for processing and manufacturing, especially in agriculture and mining.
Current Trade Snapshot:
- Exports: Dominated by copper and cobalt.
- Imports: Machinery, transport equipment, petroleum, electricity, and chemicals.
Focus on Manufacturing & Value Addition:
- Agriculture: Investment in soybeans, sugar, wheat, and horticulture; processing for regional markets.
- Mining: Local production of copper wires, gemstone cutting and polishing (especially emeralds).
- Manufacturing: Expansion in consumer goods, construction materials, and industrial inputs driven by MFEZs.
The Corridor Network:
- West: Walvis Bay Corridor (Namibia)
- East: Dar es Salaam Corridor, Nacala Corridor, and Beira Corridor (Tanzania & Mozambique)
Streamlining Trade:
- OSBPs: Chirundu, Nakonde/Tunduma, and Kasumbalesa significantly reduce clearance times.
- National Single Window: Under implementation to simplify trade documentation and reduce delays.
- Customs Modernisation: ZRA is improving compliance and aligning with international best practices.
Zambia Trade & Investment Statistics
$16.5 Billion
Total Trade Volume
Annual goods trade (2023 est.)
42%
Trade with SADC
SADC region accounts for major export & import flows
#2
Copper Exporter
Second-largest producer and exporter of copper in Africa
3
Strategic Trade Corridors
Access via Dar es Salaam, Durban & Walvis Bay corridors
25%
Manufactured Goods
Share of exports that are processed or semi-processed
>850
Registered Exporters
Active firms supported by ZDA & ZRA
Why Invest in Zambia
With only a fraction of its arable land under cultivation and abundant water resources, Zambia is a prime location for large-scale commercial agriculture and, crucially, value-added food processing to supply the region.
Leverage Zambia’s central location to manufacture goods for the vast markets of the DRC and the Great Lakes region. Opportunities are strong in food products, beverages, construction materials, and consumer goods.
Zambia is home to the majestic Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and numerous vast national parks. This provides incredible opportunities for investment in hotels, lodges, and adventure tourism activities.
The country has enormous potential for renewable energy, particularly hydropower, solar, and biomass. The government is actively seeking private investment to develop new power projects to fuel industrial growth.
Zambia offers designated MFEZs and industrial parks that provide investors with high-quality infrastructure and a generous package of fiscal incentives, including tax holidays on profits and duties.
The government has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the business climate, engaging with the private sector, and ensuring that policies are conducive to long-term investment.
Key Investment Sectors in Zambia
Large-scale farming of maize, soybeans, wheat, and sugar. Investment in grain milling, edible oil production, meat processing, sugar refining, and stock feed manufacturing.
Production of cement, fertilizers, textiles, and packaging materials. Assembly of agricultural equipment and consumer electronics for the regional market.
Development and management of hotels, lodges, and conference facilities in Livingstone (home of Victoria Falls) and near major national parks like South Luangwa and Kafue.
Development of solar and hydropower IPPs. Investment in manufacturing of renewable energy components and the development of local energy supply chains.
Investment in modern warehousing, cold chain storage, and transport fleets. Development of industrial parks within the MFEZs.
Investment Incentives and Support (Facilitated by EIPA)
These incentives support regional development, integration, and competitiveness across Southern Africa in alignment with Eswatini's economic cooperation goals.
Tax & Fiscal Incentives
- Corporate Tax: 0% corporate income tax for the first 5 years for projects in an MFEZ or designated priority sectors (e.g., manufacturing, agriculture).
- Customs Duties: 0% duty on the importation of capital equipment and machinery for MFEZ/priority sector projects. .
- VAT Deferment:Deferment of VAT on imported machinery and equipment.
Specific Examples of Incentives
- Depreciation: Accelerated depreciation rates of up to 50% per year for machinery used in manufacturing and agriculture.
Business & Operational Support
- Investment Guarantee:Guarantees and protection against state nationalization are enshrined in the ZDA Act and the constitution.
Success Stories
Illustrative examples given the scale of the economy; focus on potential and established niches
Integrated Agribusiness Champion
Zambeef Products PLC is a homegrown and regionally recognised success story. It is one of the largest integrated cold-chain food producers in Africa, involved in beef, poultry, dairy, cropping, and stock feed, supplying both the Zambian and regional markets.
Regional Food & Beverage Leader
Zambian Breweries (part of AB InBev) and Zambia Sugar PLC (part of Illovo Sugar Africa) are major players that have invested heavily in local production facilities, creating significant local value chains and supplying products across the region.
Manufacturing for Growth
The Dangote Cement plant in Ndola is one of the largest in the region, a multi-million-dollar investment that showcases the potential for large-scale manufacturing in Zambia to supply both the domestic construction boom and regional markets.
Zambia Investment News
Zambia Attracts $100M Investment in Solar Energy Projects
Private Sector Boosts Commercial Farming Initiatives
Government Announces New Mining Licenses to Spur Growth
ICT Infrastructure Expansion Targets Rural Connectivity
Zambia Tech Investment Statistics
Key Technology Sectors in Zambia
This is Zambia's standout tech sector. Beyond mobile money, there are growing opportunities in digital payments, micro-lending, insurtech, and agency banking solutions to deepen financial inclusion.
Developing mobile platforms to connect smallholder farmers to markets, information (weather, best practices), and financial services. There is a strong need for supply chain solutions to improve efficiency.
Technology to support Zambia's role as a transport hub. This includes fleet management systems, cargo tracking, and digital platforms to streamline cross-border trade and customs procedures.
Digital solutions for the renewable energy sector, including platforms for managing pay-as-you-go solar products and smart-grid technology to improve energy efficiency.
The government is increasingly looking to technology to improve service delivery, creating opportunities in digital identity, online licensing and tax platforms, and public administration systems.
Using mobile technology to improve healthcare access, particularly in rural areas, through telemedicine, e-prescriptions, and health information systems.
Leading Technology Hubs & Initiatives in Zambia
Lusaka is the heart of Zambia's tech ecosystem. It is home to the country's pioneering innovation hub, BongoHive, as well as other incubators and co-working spaces that support the startup community.
A nationally and regionally recognized tech hub that has been instrumental in developing Zambia's startup culture. It provides a range of services, including incubation, acceleration, and corporate innovation consulting.
Companies like MTN Zambia and Airtel Zambia are at the centre of the digital revolution. Their mobile money platforms are the foundation of the fintech ecosystem, and they are key partners in driving digital inclusion.
The central bank has played a crucial role by creating a regulatory sandbox and fostering a policy environment that has allowed fintech to thrive and innovate.
The ICT regulator responsible for promoting competition, ensuring quality of service, and managing the country's digital infrastructure development.
Zambia Technology News
Zambia Launches Digital Government Platforms for Public Services
Fintech Innovation Gains Momentum in Zambia’s Financial Sector
Zambia Expands 5G Infrastructure with New Spectrum Allocations
AgriTech Growth in Zambia: Digital Tools Empower Smallholder Farmers
Unlock The Potential Of Zambia
Zambia is rapidly positioning itself as a regional hub for trade and investment in Southern and Central Africa. With its land-linked advantage, political stability, abundant natural resources, and pro-business reforms, Zambia offers compelling opportunities in mining, agro-processing, energy, logistics, and manufacturing. Supported by strategic infrastructure and regional market access, Zambia is your next investment destination.