The Zambian economy is opening its doors wider than ever. In April 2024, Parliament amended the Investment, Trade and Business Development Act, widening the pool of investors who qualify for incentives and adding fresh concepts such as the “expansion project.” Since then, approvals worth ZMW 11 billion have been issued in energy alone. This guide explains the investment licensing system in Zambia, how the 2024 updates work, and what every local or foreign investor must know before applying.

Zambia’s single‐window investment regulator is the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA). The ZDA Act and its 2024 Amendment empower the Agency to:

  • issue the Certificate of Registration (CoR), often called an “investment licence”;

  • grant fiscal and non‑fiscal incentives;

  • coordinate secondary licences across government; and

  • monitor compliance for up to ten years, the life span of a CoR.

Operating a qualifying project without this certificate means forgoing key benefits and, in many cases, breaching the law.

2. Key 2024 Amendments at a Glance

| Change | What It Means for You | | Expansion Project introduced | Existing firms that increase capacity, scope, or reach now qualify for incentives, not just green‑field investors. | | “Rural Area” definition removed | More locations—peri‑urban districts, farm blocks, and growth corridors—can access rural incentives. | | Broader Eligibility | Projects in special economic zones (SEZs), priority sectors, rural areas, or farm blocks automatically meet the incentive test. |

These tweaks signal a decisive policy shift: reward investors who deepen their footprint, not only those who arrive for the first time.

3. Understanding the Certificate of Registration

The CoR is your golden ticket. With it, you gain:

  • Legal guarantees against expropriation.

  • Zero‑duty or reduced‑duty import of machinery (if you hit the right thresholds).

  • Fast‑tracked immigration permits for key personnel.

  • One‑stop facilitation for land, utilities, and secondary permits.

The certificate is valid for 10 years and is renewable.

4. Who Needs a Certificate?

You must apply if you:

  • plan to invest US $250 000 or more in any sector;

  • will manufacture, process, or add value in Zambia; or

  • wish to receive customs or tax incentives tied to SEZs, Industrial Parks, or rural projects.

Smaller ventures may operate without a CoR but will not enjoy the same reliefs.

5. Application Checklist

Timeline: 10–30 working days once a complete file is lodged.

| Document | Tip | | Completed ZDA form | Download from ZDA website. | | Certificate of Incorporation & Share Capital | Have them notarised. | | Shareholder & Director list | Include contact emails. | | Business plan or feasibility study | 10–15 pages is ideal—focus on cash‑flows and impact. | | Proof of finance | Bank statements, loan agreements, or equity confirmations. | | Brief résumés | Highlight relevant track records. | | Certified IDs | NRC or passports. | | Application fee ZMW 2 133 | Non‑refundable. | | Licence fee ZMW 12 783 | Pay only on approval. |

Submit physically at ZDA’s Premium House, Independence Avenue, Lusaka or via the online portal.

6. Investment Thresholds & Incentives

a) Manufacturing in SEZ / Rural Area — ≥ US $500 000

  • 0 % import duty on capital equipment for five years.

  • Accelerated depreciation on machinery.

b) Priority Sectors — ≥ US $500 000

  • 0 % duty on capital equipment for five years.

  • Additional VAT deferment on imported inputs.

c) General Investment — ≥ US $250 000

  • Non‑fiscal facilitation (permits, land, utilities).

  • Investment guarantees.

Note: An “expansion project” that meets any of these thresholds now qualifies on equal footing with brand‑new ventures.

7. Spotlight on Priority Sectors

The Government’s 2025 Priority List covers:

  • Energy & Water: power stations, solar farms, pipelines, dams.

  • Agro‑Processing & Farm Blocks: grain silos, irrigation, cold‑chain logistics.

  • Tourism Infrastructure: hotels, convention centres, theme parks.

  • Health & Education: private hospitals, skills training institutes.

  • Large‑Scale Housing: estates of 50 units or more.

Projects here receive accelerated support and often dovetail with donor or development‑finance facilities.

8. Multi‑Facility Economic Zones (MFEZ) & Industrial Parks

Setting up in an SEZ means you may also need an MFEZ Operator Licence:

  • Secure a plot or factory shell from the zone developer.

  • Sign a lease agreement.

  • Submit the operator‑licence application plus CoR documents.

  • Pay a token K 100 fee on approval.

Benefits include plug‑and‑play infrastructure, on‑site customs, and corporate tax holidays (for designated zones).

9. Secondary Licences & Permits

Depending on your industry, factor in:

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (ZEMA).

  • ICT licence (ZICTA).

  • Tourism enterprise permit (Ministry of Tourism).

  • Banking, insurance, or securities approvals (BoZ, PIA, SEC).

  • Municipal trading or manufacturing permits.** **

ZDA will guide you, but each regulator sets its own service standards. Budget two to six weeks per permit.

10. Immigration Options for Foreign Investors

| Permit | Use‑Case | Validity | | Investor’s Permit | Principal shareholder injecting capital. | Up to 10 years. | | Residence Permit | Long‑term stay after three years of lawful presence. | Up to 10 years, renewable. | | Employment Permit | Skilled expatriate staff. | 2 years, renewable. |

A CoR accelerates processing because the investment has already been vetted.

11. Case Study: Energy‐Sector Momentum

In 2025 the Energy Regulation Board cleared 62 new energy licences worth ZMW 11 billion. Key deals:

  • Kalumbila–Kolwezi 330 kV Interconnector (US $270 million).

  • 100 MW Solar Plant, Mumbwa (US $75 million).

Both qualified as expansion or green‑field projects under the amended Act, unlocking duty‑free import of turbines, solar panels, and high‑voltage hardware. The projects also gained priority grid‑connection slots—an example of how incentives translate into bankable benefits.

12. Practical Tips for a Smooth Application

  • Front‑load compliance. Order police clearances and notarised copies early.

  • Quantify impact. Show jobs, exports, or forex savings in your business plan.

  • Engage a local consultant. They understand which ministries sign off fastest.

  • Track the portal. ZDA’s e‑dashboard updates your file’s status in real time.

  • Plan for renewals. Start the process nine months before your CoR expires.

Conclusion

Zambia’s overhauled investment licensing system rewards both new ventures and existing businesses that scale up. By meeting the right threshold and aligning with priority sectors, investors unlock customs relief, tax savings, and red‑carpet facilitation. Whether you are installing a solar farm, expanding a beverage line, or building a 100‑house estate, the Certificate of Registration is step one towards secure, incentive‑driven growth in one of Africa’s most promising market