Zambia records U$D14billion in investments –…

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga says Zambia recorded 14 billion United States dollars in investments between 2021 and 2025, resulting in the creation of over 190,000 jobs. Delivering a ministerial statement on industrialisation in Parliament today, Mr Mulenga said the government prioritised debt restructuring and restoring fiscal and macroeconomic stability to rebuild investor confidence. Mr Mulenga said among the key reforms implemented by government was the amendment of the Trade, Investment and Business Development Act No.

18 of 2022, which introduced incentives for expansion projects. He said the country has continued attracting both local and foreign direct investment through policy reforms and business-friendly measures supported by Parliament. He thanked Members of Parliament and the private sector across the political divide for supporting the reforms, saying they had facilitated major investments, including expansion projects under the Trade Kings Group, United Capital Fertilizer, Chilanga Cement and the U$D140 million Zambia-China Mulungushi Textile.

“The Trade Kings Group had invested 80 million dollars in the Kingsworth Starch Plant and Dairy Gold projects, creating 1,100 jobs, with projections of an additional 2,000 jobs in the next two years,” he added. Among the major investments in the economic zone, he cited is the Keda Ceramics, which invested 150 million dollars and created 1,300 jobs. Mr Mulenga also highlighted PGD Metals, which has invested 120 million dollars and employs 500 workers.

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And he cited the enactment of Statutory Instrument Number 45 of 2025 on preferential procurement as another major reform aimed at accelerating industrialization. Focusing on the manufacturing sector, the Minister said the industry remains resilient despite external economic shocks and electricity challenges experienced between 2024 and 2025. He said the sector contributed 9.3 percent to Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product, the highest contribution since 1999. Mr Mulenga noted that government had continued using Special Economic Zones as a strategy to accelerate industrialization and attract investment.

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