Zambia world map

Trade in Zambia

Zambia was the world’s 96th largest exporter of goods and 124th largest exporter of commercial services in 2022. Export values were $11.66 billion and $933 million USD respectively. Zambia’s top export category was Fuels and mining products, followed by Manufactures, and Agricultural products. In 2022, Zambia’s main export destination markets for goods and services trade were to Switzerland, China and Democratic Republic of Congo, with trade representing 69.30 per cent of GDP. In terms of imports, Zambia is the world’s 122nd largest importer of goods and 115th largest importer of commercial services. Import values were $9.05 billion and $1.88 billion USD respectively in 2022. Zambia’s top import category was Manufactures, followed by Chemicals and Machinery and transport equipment. Leading import partners were South Africa, China and United Arab Emirates. Zambia is part of 2 different Regional Trade Agreements, including Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) – Accession of Egypt.
Regional Trade Agreements Database

General Information

This section includes general information on the economy, legal system, official languages and links to additional demographic information.

Official Name

Republic of Zambia

Abbreviation

ZM

Capital

Lusaka

WTO Membership Date

1 January 1995

Legal System

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

Language

English

Number of Time Zone(s)

1

Additional Information

Financial Information

This section includes financial information such as the currency, exchange rate lookup and local banks issuing trade finance.

Currency

Zambian kwacha

Exchange Rate

Google Finance Currencies

GTFP Confirming Banks

Through the IFC's Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) bank network, local financial institutions can establish working partnerships with a vast number of major international banks in the Program that can broaden access to finance and reduce cash collateral requirements. This extends and complements the capacity of banks to deliver trade finance by providing risk mitigation on a per-transaction basis in challenging markets where trade lines may be limited.
  • Bank of China Zambia Limited - Lusaka, Zambia - SWIFT: BKCHZMLU

Contact Information

This section includes contact information for business support organizations and national resources.

Business Support Organizations

Government MSME Agency

  • Small Enterprises Development Board

SPS Enquiry Points

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) enquiry points are government agencies designated to answer questions about trade requirements.
  • Human Health:


    Ms. Chilekwa Christabel Mibenge


    Chief Environmental Health Officer


    Department of Health Promotion Environment and Social


    Determinants


    Environmental Health Unit


    Ministry of Health


    Phone: +(260 211) 253040/5


    Mobile: +(260 954) 895102

    Haile Selassie Avenue


    Ndeke House


    P.O Box 30205

    [email protected]@yahoo.com
  • Human Health:

    Ms. Doreen Sakala

    Chief Environmental Health Officer - Food Safety

    Department of Health Promotion Environment and Social

    Determinants

    Environmental Health Unit

    Ministry of Health

    Phone: +(260 211) 253040/5

    Mobile: +(260 965) 5016188

    Haile Selassie Avenue

    Ndeke House

    P.O Box 30205

    [email protected]@gmail.com
  • Plant protection:
    Dr. Kenneth K. Msiska
    The Director
    Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services
    Zambia Agriculture Research Institute
    Ministry of Agriculture
    Phone: +260-211-278141/130
    Mobile: +260 977 771503

    P/B 07

    [email protected]

TBT Enquiry Points

Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) enquiry points are government agencies designated to answer questions about trade requirements.
  • Zambia Bureau of Standards
    Mr. Brian Mweemba
    Senior Documentation & Information Officer

    Ms. Belinda Soko Kanceya
    Standards Development and Training Manager
    Phone: + (260 211) 231385/221386; +260 978856560
    Website: http://www.zabs.org.zm

    Freedom Way- South End
    P.O Box 50259
    Lusaka

    [email protected], [email protected]

Additional Information

ePing alert

Links to other helpful resources

This section includes additional links to trade-related resources.

National Tariff Finder

https://www.zra.org.zm/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022-NATIONAL-TARIFF-BOOK-Jan-2022.pdf

Trade Information Portal

https://www.zambiatradeportal.gov.zm/

Last Reviewed: June, 2024

Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Find a concise overview of key aspects of international trade for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises with our Businesses & Entrepreneurs Guides.

Policymakers & Researchers

Find a concise overview of key aspects of trade and MSME-related policymaking with our dedicated library of Policymakers & Researchers Guides.

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Simplify your market research with an integrated source of trade intelligence, for firms of all sizes, even the smallest. The Global Trade Helpdesk, an initiative by the International Trade Centre, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Trade Organization, provides market intelligence for companies looking to trade in an easy-to-use online tool.