Investment Intelligence · Zambia Is Back
Why Zambia?
Strategically positioned at the heart of southern Africa — a stable democracy, a reforming economy, and a gateway to 800 million consumers.
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People in combined COMESA & SADC market access
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Peaceful transfers of power since independence in 1964
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GDP growth projected by IMF for 2026
Economic Transformation

Under President Hakainde Hichilema's administration, Zambia restructured $3 billion in commercial debt and completed bilateral agreements with official creditors by December 2024 — restoring access to international capital markets and exiting debt default status. The kwacha was the best performing currency of 2025.

Market Access
580M
COMESA
Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa
380M
SADC
Southern African Development Community
30
Nations
Combined market access across Africa
Why Zambia Stands Out
  • Political stability: No civil conflict since independence in 1964 — one of Africa's most stable democracies
  • Landlocked advantage: Borders eight countries, providing unmatched regional connectivity
  • IMF-backed reforms: Credible economic programme underway with full IMF and World Bank engagement
  • Currency recovery: Kwacha ranked best-performing currency globally in 2025
  • Critical minerals hub: Copper, cobalt and nickel deposits central to global green energy transition
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First Quantum Kansanshi S3 expansion
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Barrick Gold Lumwana superpit expansion
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Annual processing capacity at Kansanshi post-expansion
Major Foreign Investments
First Quantum Minerals
$1.25 billion
Kansanshi S3 expansion, commissioned August 2025. Nearly doubles processing capacity to 53Mt/year, extending operations into the 2040s.
Barrick Gold
$2 billion
Lumwana superpit expansion targeting first production in 2028. 240,000 tonnes annual copper output over a 30+ year mine life.
KoBold Metals
Gates & Bezos-backed
Mingomba copper project using AI and advanced geological modelling. Backed by some of the world's most prominent climate-tech investors.
Nationwide Survey
Policy reform
Modern remote sensing geological survey underway. Mineral royalties now deductible for corporate income tax — abolishing the double tax trap.
Strategic Transport Corridors
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Zambia
Copperbelt
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Lobito
US/EU backed
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Atlantic
Angola coast
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TAZARA
Indian Ocean
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Dar es Salaam
Tanzania port
  • Dual corridor strategy reduces transport costs and provides competitive routing to both Atlantic and Indian Ocean ports
  • Critical minerals advantage: Copper and cobalt are central to EV batteries and renewable energy infrastructure globally
  • Simplified licensing procedures and improved regulatory predictability under current administration
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Hectares of arable land — only 14% currently cultivated
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Beef export target to regional markets
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Year of Zambia's largest harvest ever recorded
The Untapped Opportunity

Zambia has 58 million hectares of arable land — but only 14% is currently cultivated. With abundant water resources, fertile soils and a reforming agricultural policy environment, Zambia has a credible claim to becoming the breadbasket of southern Africa.

Arable Land Utilisation
Cultivated
14%
Untapped potential
86%
Key Reforms
  • Farmer Input Support Programme overhauled with mobile-based voucher system, eliminating corruption in subsidy delivery
  • Farm block development accelerated with irrigation, roads, and processing facilities
  • Disease-free cattle zones established for premium livestock production and export
Investment Opportunities
  • Large-scale commercial farming on unfarmed fertile land
  • Agri-processing and cold chain infrastructure
  • Beef and livestock export to growing regional middle class
  • Irrigation and water management technology
  • Seed, fertiliser, and agri-input supply chains
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Chisamba Solar Plant — first large-scale project commissioned
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Import duty on solar panels, inverters and equipment
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Regional power pools connected — EAPP and SAPP crossroads
Regional Power Hub

Zambia sits at the crossroads of the East African Power Pool and the Southern African Power Pool — a unique geographic position that enables the country to become a regional electricity trading hub, effectively doubling the addressable market for energy projects developed here.

Solar Boom
  • Chisamba 100MW solar plant recently commissioned — first of multiple large-scale renewable projects
  • Market opened to independent power producers in 2019, ending ZESCO monopoly
  • Abundant sunlight and rapidly declining equipment costs driving expansion
  • Zero import duties maintained on solar equipment to encourage investment
Investment Incentives
  • Cost-reflective electricity tariffs being implemented
  • Power Purchase Agreements available for independent producers
  • Fast-tracked approvals for renewable energy projects
  • Electricity Fund established in national budget
  • New transmission lines and grid upgrades underway

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