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Zambia
Zambia is a country with a moderately expanding economic environment, supported by efforts toward stabilisation and reforms aimed at improving growth. In 2024, the economy registered a real GDP growth rate of 4.04%, signalling a relatively stable expansion trajectory, while inflation was recorded at 14.99%, reflecting ongoing price pressures and macroeconomic adjustments. With a population of approximately 21.3 million people, Zambia’s GDP was estimated at about USD 26.33 billion in 2024, indicating a growing economic base with potential for further structural advancement. The country’s Human Development Index of 0.595 in 2023 demonstrates gradual improvement in social wellbeing, though significant development gaps remain. Employment among individuals aged 15 and above stands at 59.42%, indicating a moderate level of labour force participation, with a working-age population of about 10.4 million. Zambia shares borders with eight countries, positioning it strategically for regional trade and economic integration. Ongoing efforts toward economic diversification, stabilisation and human development continue to shape Zambia’s medium-term growth outlook.
GDP nominal
USD 26.3 billion (2024)
Inflation
14.9% (2024)
Real GDP growth
4.04% (2024)
Employment as a % of population 15+
59.42% (2023)
Population
21.3 million (2024)
Human development index
0.59 (2023)
Investment indicators
Latest news
PRESS RELEASE • 6 December 2025
APRM, ECA, and UNDP Africa welcome credit rating upgrades for African countries
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PRESS RELEASE • 28 November 2025
Eastern Africa moves to harmonise inland waterway transport policies for seamless multimodal trade
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Key sectors
Agriculture
Agriculture remains one of the central pillars of Zambia’s economy, supported by vast land availability, favourable climate conditions, abundant water resources, and a large labour base. The country has approximately 42 million hectares of arable land, yet only about 1.5 million hectares are currently cultivated. To unlock this potential, government has established strategic farm blocks totalling about 1 million hectares across all provinces, targeted at both local and foreign investors for…
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Energy
Zambia’s energy sector is anchored on hydro-electricity, with supplementary contributions from coal, heavy fuel oil, solar-PV, biomass and imported petroleum. The sector operates through three main subsectors: Electricity, Renewable Energy and Petroleum. Installed national capacity stands at approximately 3,790 MW, of which about 84% is generated from hydropower, making the country highly dependent on water availability and vulnerable to rainfall variability. Electricity demand has been…
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Tourism
Tourism is one of Zambia’s priority economic sectors due to its potential to stimulate growth, attract foreign exchange and expand employment. The country is geographically central within Southern Africa and benefits from strong natural endowments, notably the Victoria Falls, diverse wildlife ecosystems, national parks and cultural heritage assets. Zambia has over 22.4 million hectares of protected land, covering 20 national parks and 36 Game Management Areas, making it a premier destination…
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Industry
The industry sector has been identified as a core driver of Zambia’s industrial transformation, employment creation and economic diversification. The sector operates under the National Industrial Policy, which prioritises eight strategic manufacturing subsectors: processed foods; textiles and garments; engineering products; wood and wood products; leather and leather products; mineral processing and beneficiation; pharmaceuticals; and blue-economy-related manufacturing. These areas present…
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Mineral Resources
Mining remains the backbone of Zambia’s economy and one of its most strategic sectors for export earnings, industrial development and foreign investment. Zambia is among the world’s leading producers of copper, currently ranked as the ninth largest globally, with output estimated at about 800,000 metric tonnes annually and holding approximately 6% of global known copper reserves. The sector is anchored by long-established operations in the Copperbelt Province, complemented by increasing…
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