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Trade & Industry
For this reason, the government continues to place
an emphasis on the construction of an arterial infra-
structure and the development of Multi-Facility Eco-
nomic Zones (MFEZs). Furthermore, the processes
and procedures for doing business in the manufac-
turing sector are being enhanced through regula-
tory reforms related to the cost of doing business,
spearheaded by the Zambia Development Agency
(ZDA), which is helping to facilitate investment into
the country.
Business dev
el
opment institutions
The first Zambian Chamber of Commerce and Indus-
try was established in Lusaka in 1933. Since then,
the national body of chambers of commerce and
industry has undergone a variety of name changes.
The Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (ZACCI) is a national body representing
the interests of the private business sector in Zam-
bia. The mission of ZACCI is to promote the develop-
ment of trade, commerce, and industry. By doing so,
the association acts as a link between organizations,
the private sector, and the government.
ZACCI’s recently effective initiatives include: im-
proved advocacy programs targeting members of
parliament and government ministries, the introduc-
tion of clean industry guidelines, and the training of
over a thousand small and medium business entre-
preneurs in various business skills.
OVERVIEW
Zambia’s future economic development is contin-
gent upon the country moving away from its tradi-
tional dependence on exporting raw materials. It
has begun to embrace the huge potential growth of
value-addition production.
The manufacturing sector accounts for approxi-
mately 11 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP), and it is one of the most attractive
sectors for investment. It has all the vital required
elements in place for strong fundamental growth—
raw materials, a strong labor force, an abundance
of land, and a good banking/financial system. The
expansion of manufacturing activities will, over the
medium-term, improve Zambia’s growth prospects
and competitiveness and reduce its dependence
on imports through a wider base of locally produced
goods and services.
The sector, however, has a relatively narrow base,
which needs further diversification to produce a wide
variety of high-quality, value-added intermediate,
and final products, primarily for the export markets.
Additionally, the high fixed costs of doing business
and the lack of supporting infrastructure continues to
impede the development of the sector and its ability
to create more jobs.
At the time of publication, reducing the cost of doing
business in the country and developing Multi-Facility
Economic Zones are the sector’s core objectives.
Credit: The Inzy Company
Don’t mistake Chibuku Shake Shake sorghum beer for
milk, your morning cereal may taste strange
