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This article was produced with the support of The Zambia International Conference
Lusaka – Zambia showcased its economic ambition to the world with the hosting of the inaugural Invest in Zambia International Conference (IZIC) at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre. Spanning three days from 16–18 July, the event gathered government officials, international investors and business leaders under the theme “Driving Generational Transformative Investments Through Joint Ventures and Partnerships”.
For President Hakainde Hichilema, the message was clear: Zambia is not just open for business – it is actively dismantling barriers that historically stifled investment.
“We have realised that government bureaucracies can weigh businesses down,” President Hichilema told delegates. “So, we have established a Presidential Delivery Unit… to accelerate the resolution of issues that hinder business operations.”
This new unit, he explained, will directly address investor concerns and streamline decision‑making. His remarks set the tone for a conference focused as much on implementation as ambition.
Big numbers, strategic sectors
The headline figures quickly followed: by mid‑conference, the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) had facilitated Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth roughly ZMW 46.6bn (around $2bn). The agreements span critical sectors – energy, agriculture and mining – aligning with Zambia’s broader vision for economic diversification and resilience.
Among the highlights was a joint venture between US-based Anzana Electric Group and state electricity utility ZESCO, targeting energy infrastructure expansion. Other MoUs covered renewable energy, transport corridors and agro‑processing, all aimed at reducing Zambia’s dependency on copper alone.
Albert Halwampa, Director‑General of the ZDA, described the conference as a turning point: “Our goal is not just to attract investment but to anchor it in special economic zones, improve investor services and ensure long‑term returns,” he said. “We are actively addressing challenges around power, land access and logistics to build real investor confidence.”
The UK’s value‑addition pitch
Calvin Bailey, the UK Trade Envoy to Southern Africa, brought a regional perspective, announcing Britain’s £2.5bn mobilisation plan to drive value‑added mining and critical‑minerals development.
He stressed that Zambia’s mining sector must evolve beyond extraction to processing and technology‑driven supply chains. “UK businesses investing in Africa must help ensure taxes are paid, skills are transferred, local jobs are created, the environment is protected, and communities are substantially engaged,” Bailey said.
He described this “new value‑adding approach” as key to linking Zambia’s resources with global green‑technology markets – a vision strongly aligned with Britain’s critical‑minerals strategy.
China deepens its footprint
China’s presence was equally prominent. Chinese Ambassador Han Jin praised Zambia’s central location, business‑friendly reforms and regulatory framework, while encouraging firms to translate conference networking into concrete deals. “Chinese enterprises have taken root in Zambia and are actively contributing to the country’s development,” he noted.
Chinese corporates contributed over $124,000 to support the conference, and a China‑Zambia trade seminar ran in parallel, spotlighting joint‑venture successes in copper, steel and fertiliser.
Reform as the engine of growth
Beyond the deals, the conference underscored policy as Zambia’s true competitive edge. The Presidential Delivery Unit, improvements to land‑titling systems, and power concessions within special economic zones (SEZs) were repeatedly highlighted as signals of a more agile state. President Hichilema’s goal is to double the size of Zambia’s economy by 2031, an ambitious but achievable target, he argued, if reforms remain consistent and investor confidence keeps rising.
A diverse investor base
Perhaps the strongest takeaway from IZIC 2025 was the breadth of investor interest: US, UK, Chinese and regional African companies all expressed optimism about Zambia’s trajectory. The country’s location – offering direct access to eight neighbouring markets – was often cited as a unique asset.
Halwampa emphasised the ZDA’s role in translating that interest into tangible projects through enhanced investor services, special economic zones and targeted public‑private partnerships.
Outlook: From promises to projects
As the conference came to a close, delegates were reminded that MoUs are only the starting line. The real challenge is delivery – turning signatures into construction, production and job creation.
Yet there was broad consensus that Zambia now has both the vision and the institutional momentum to make that happen. President Hichilema’s reform agenda, combined with multi‑billion‑dollar commitments and global partnerships, positions the country as one of Africa’s most promising emerging investment destinations.
IZIC 2025 offered more than conference optimism: it laid out a roadmap for Zambia’s economic transformation, built on public‑private synergy, targeted reforms and a clear ambition to move from mining exporter to value‑added manufacturing hub. If momentum holds, Zambia’s bold investment bet could well pay off – reshaping its economy for a new generation.
