business plan zambia

53 Business Ideas and Investment Opportunities In Zambia [2024]

Interested in starting a business in Zambia in 2024?

We put together 53 of the best businesses you can start in Zambia today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

• Home-based businesses to start in Zambia
• Profitable online business ideas
• Unique business opportunities for Zambia
• Low investment business ideas (under $5k to start)
• Easy businesses you can start in Zambia today

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, + a step-by-step on how to start your small business in Zambia.

Here's the full list:

1. Create a digital wallet app

A digital wallet is a financial transaction application that runs on mobile devices. In today’s digital era, people demand the freedom to purchase anything and be able to pay from their digital wallets.

With technological advancement, making digital payments has become easier than ever before. Anyone can use mobile payment platforms to pay and accept payments online. Therefore, creating a digital payments wallet can be a great business opportunity.

To create a digital wallet, conduct extensive market research and create a business plan. It would help if you could hire competent programmers to create a secure payment gateway.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 215 days (?)

iCard is a leading e-money institution that offers a unique and 100% digital bank account alternative, with their app and services supporting the daily payments of people in over 30 European countries, and since launch in late 2017, the iCard app has seen around 500,000 downloads.

2. Start an electronics store

An electronics store sells any electronics from smartphones to televisions, laptops, refrigerators and other home appliances. With the technological advancements in the past decade, the electronics sector is expected to grow by 5.6 percent over the next five years.

To start an electronics store, research and find the right location for your store, then register your company at the state level to get the tax ID number.

Then, research your competition, which includes online stores and the local electronics store in your area. You should examine what they sell and focus on the products you can provide at a better price than the competition.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $230,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Founder Kyle Capel started Hand Held Legend, a DIY upgrade shop for vintage handheld consoles, which generates an average revenue of $27,000 a month and grew 30% in Q1 of 2020, offering an array of modern LCD upgrades for various consoles and serving an audience of mostly male customers aged between 13 and 45, 40% of which are international.

3. Start an online video editing business

Video editors manage camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics, and special effects to produce the final film or video product. To become an online video editor, you must have media production and communication knowledge and the ability to work with others.

To start a video editing business, you can outsource video editing skills from an experienced professional. Your role will be to pick video footage from the customers and upload them for the video editor to do the magic.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

Saga, a private family podcast app, was founded to help families save the life stories of loved ones through audio and has raised $1.8 million in seed funding to date, has thousands of users across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and is set to launch on Android.

4. Start a podcast

The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.

It’s a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.

To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.

First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.

Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.

Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.

Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

5. Start a tutoring or education business

When students have problems with their schoolwork, they turn to tutors for help.

Being a tutor awakens your entrepreneurial skills. Being your own boss allows you to set your own schedule and be more independent. You'll create lasting relationships with students and their parents. Last but not least: you get paid well!

How much you can make: $50 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)

Online makeup academy, Vizio Makeup Academy, founded in 2011 by Anastasia Andreani and her partner, has enrolled over 3,300 students and generated $2.4M in revenue this year, by offering professional makeup courses online and creating their own cosmetic line.

6. Start a mobile app development business

Mobile app development is the process of creating software applications that run on mobile devices. These apps can be used for a variety of purposes, including games, productivity, and social networking.

Starting a mobile app development business is a great way to enter the world of software development. This type of company is growing in popularity as businesses are looking for ways to reach their customers through mobile apps.

To start a mobile app development company, you need to have strong technical skills and be able to develop high-quality software. You should also have a good understanding of how to market and sell mobile apps

How much you can make: $6,000 — $700,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.

7. Start a blog

In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:

• Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
• 77% of internet users read blogs.
• Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.

Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.

If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

8. Start a beverage company

Are you thinking of starting a beverage or drink business?

Starting a beverage company can be a great way to combine your love of food and drink with a passion for entrepreneurship.

Beverage companies can make all sorts of different drinks, from juice to soda to beer. They can also sell other types of food products, like bottled water or snacks.

There are more and more drink options available today than ever before—and that means that beverage companies are constantly trying new things in order to stay competitive in this space! The more innovative they can be with their offerings, the better they'll be able to compete with one another

How much you can make: $500 — $12,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 250 days (?)

BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.

9. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products to customers without holding inventory.

Instead, when a customer makes a purchase, you buy the product from a third-party supplier, who then ships it directly to the customer.

To start a dropshipping business on a budget, choose a niche or category of products you want to sell.

Next, set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Then, find reliable suppliers from platforms like AliExpress, list their products on your store, and focus on marketing and customer service to grow your business.

Remember to carefully manage your expenses and monitor your profit margins to ensure profitability.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.

10. Start a digital marketing business

Digital marketing businesses serve local and international companies to expand their reach and grow revenue. A top reason digital marketing is so exciting is that the field is constantly evolving and is easy to learn.

If you plan to start a digital marketing business in Zambia, educate yourself and understand how digital marketing agencies work. Then, focus on building your digital skills and advancing your career through online digital marketing courses.

To stand out, find a digital marketing niche and focus on the audience interested in your services.

How much you can make: $100 — $1,250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.

11. Become a software developer

A software developer is a person who creates computer programs. They design, test, and oversee the creation of software for a variety of purposes including businesses, personal use, or social networking.

If you have strong technical skills and experience in programming, you can start a software development business. You should also have a good understanding of how the software works.

The average salary for software developers is $110,140 . The best-paid 25 percent earn an annual income of up to 140K dollars while the lowest-paid workers make just under 84K dollars.

The recent trends in software development are moving towards mobile apps and cloud-based solutions. Businesses are providing a variety of programming languages and tools to create software that meets the client's needs.

Starting a software development company is the perfect way to explore in this exciting industry. This type of business is growing in popularity as businesses are looking for ways to offer their customers a convenient way to access their data and applications.

How much you can make: $500 — $350,000/month

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

SkyVerge, a software company, has grown rapidly with revenue of $350,000 per month, over 100,000 eCommerce customers, and a globally distributed team of 30 people, all through starting with consulting projects and building focused and solutions-based products, acquiring small products from other developers, and focusing largely on content marketing and providing excellent customer support.

12. Become a virtual assistant

Virtual assistants support businesses, teams, or individuals by performing administrative tasks remotely. As businesses these days tend to outsource their tasks, the demand for virtual assistants is growing rapidly.

Becoming a virtual assistant is flexible, as you can choose a work schedule and location at your convenience. Many virtual assistants in Zambia have a dedicated home office where they work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.

To become a virtual assistant, identify a niche you like and undertake any training. Then, figure out how much to charge your customers and create an online presence where you can apply for jobs. As a virtual assistant, you can define your work schedule depending on your availability.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

Filipino Virtual Assistance by FVA Business Consultancy, founded by Julmar Grace Locsin, offers online and offline training to empower marketers, enable businesses, and equip freelancers which has trained 25,000 students from their 31 courses, has 16 coaches assigned from different territories, and fifteen in the FVA team for global digital leadership that will impact the world through digitalization, one life at a time.

13. Start a boutique

You may consider opening a boutique if you are passionate about the fashion and textile industry.

A boutique is a shop that sells clothes. Opening a boutique is a dream for entrepreneurs who want to experience the joy and freedom of owning a cash business. Starting a boutique is easy and can be managed by a single individual. In addition, a boutique requires a comparatively smaller capital to start.

To succeed, the boutique owner must coming creativity and passion.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $25,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.

14. Start a travel agency

Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.

As a travel agency, you'll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.

Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You'll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.

To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.

How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)

Marissa Daniels runs a successful travel agency, Spread Your Wings Travel, that hit $100,000 in sales within a year of launch and provides payment plan options for its all-inclusive vacations, and she hopes to help 100 families supplement their income through the business.

15. Start a food truck

Food trucks are a highly profitable business that offers customers a variety of meal options out of a mobile truck. This basically operates inside a large vehicle equipped with kitchen and food products. Starting a food truck is a dream for many people, but it's more challenging than it looks. To make it work, you need the ideal location and menu.

To start a food truck business in a particular city, it is mandatory to check what kind of food trucks are already operating, identify a gap, and bring in some new experiences. Then, with the right plan and the right approach, you can be on your way to starting your own food truck empire.

How much you can make: $30,000 — $1,500,000/month

Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.

16. Start a content writing company

Content writing involves writing, editing, and publishing content in a digital format. Examples of content include a blog post, product description, and podcast script—eBooks, press releases, or landing page content.

Becoming a content writer allows you to work as your boss. Therefore, you choose whatever working schedule suits you and take a manageable workload. Moreover, content writing helps you develop essential skills you may not obtain from regular writing.

Content writing is a highly-on-demand service, as companies compete for the online audience who often begin their shopping journey by searching for relevant and educative content online. Therefore, a content writing company is an excellent source of passive income.

To start a content writing company in Zambia, research the market and choose a suitable niche. Sketch a proper business plan and create a website. Hire a pool of talented writers and leverage modern technology to streamline operations.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $550,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

Scribly.io, a subscription-based copywriting service providing high quality content that helps businesses scale at roughly 50% of the cost of hiring in-house, created by Dani, a first-time entrepreneur who started with just a few hundred dollars worth of projects and with the help of three other writers; as of last month, Scribly.io topped $14K monthly revenue.

17. Start a SEO agency

An SEO agency is a company that provides search engine optimization services to businesses. The function of an SEO agency is to help businesses rank higher in search engines through organic or paid means.

SEO is a rapidly growing industry, with experts across all aspects of the field already making six-figure incomes and expecting to see these earnings grow dramatically over the next few years. Getting into SEO today, before it gets too saturated, will allow you to establish a strong base in a new career, with an excellent chance for success.

It’s easier than ever to start your SEO agency in Zambia. The tools are there, and the competition isn’t as stiff as it used to be. If you’re considering starting an SEO or digital marketing agency, it might be a good idea to learn how other digital agencies succeed.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,800,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

Rankings.io is a hyper-focused SEO agency that helps elite personal injury law firms dominate first page rankings and was ranked #858 in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for 2018, with a current revenue just under $300,000 per month, with plans for a record-breaking year.

18. Start a real estate business

Are you a qualified architect with a broad range of knowledge in the real estate field? Starting a real estate business can be a profitable venture.

Real estate involves purchasing, selling, managing, or investing in land and buildings.

To become a successful real estate business owner, you must have finely honed visual awareness and a strong understanding of various building materials and structures.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $1,500,000/month

This case study is about T. C. Lewis & Co, a real estate investment and management firm that successfully diversified their approach to include sales, development, remodeling, and construction, with property management being the key to investor doors and organic growth.

19. Start an affiliate marketing business

Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.

To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

Bar Games 101 is an authority website about classic bar games with over 200K monthly visitors and revenue over $4,000 for the month of August, achieved through consistent publishing of researched articles and outsourcing by the founder.

20. Start a voice over service

Voiceover artist is an auditory performer who uses their voice in scripted presentations. The role of a voiceover artist is only to be heard but not to be seen.

Working as a voiceover artist is an opportunity to choose the projects you enjoy engaging in. The role of a voiceover artist is also fun and can help you meet new people.

To become a voiceover artist in Zambia, start practicing aloud reading so you familiarize yourself with your sound. Then, create your recording studio where you can practice your voiceover skills. It would help if you had a quality microphone, professional recording software, a computer, and soundproofing materials.

How much you can make: $400 — $85,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

Voice Crafters, a multilingual voice-over agency and marketplace founded by Mony Raanan, doubled their revenue to over $765,000 in 2022 with a bottom line of around 30% after transitioning to an online marketplace and carefully vetting their network of over 1,000 professional voice actors in more than 80 languages.

21. Start an online advertising agency

An online advertising agency helps businesses promote their products or services on the internet.

To start this business on a budget, first learn the basics of digital marketing through free online resources.

Create a professional website and set up profiles on social media platforms to showcase your skills.

Build a portfolio by working on mock campaigns or offering discounted services to friends and family, and gradually market your services to attract clients.

With dedication, you can grow your agency over time.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,250,000/month

Iman Gadzhi made over $1.2M in profit within two years with his social media marketing agency and education company, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to start and scale a profitable SMMA, with over 45 of his students making over six figures with their SMMA, and over 300 students having quit their regular jobs.

22. Start a mobile photography business

Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography in Zambia, research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)

Photobooth Supply Co. offers a profitable business opportunity through their sleek and portable photo booths, with up to 97% satisfaction rate and a focus on customer experience, in a fast-growing event industry where photo booths are exploding.

23. Start a travel agency

24. Start a socks business

Socks are a low-cost, high-profit business. One of the more affordable businesses you can start.

The market itself has a size of 47 billion USD in 2020 with an annual growth rate of 6%. .

If you want to be successful in this industry, it is important that your socks are comfy to wear and stylish to look at. People would want to wear socks that will make them look great without sacrificing comfort.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,000,000/month

Learn how Dane Jensen and his business partner grew their sock business from a monthly subscription to a $12M+ revenue business that mainly sells custom socks, by developing a manufacturing supply chain in the United States, using various marketing channels, and gradually expanding the business.

25. Start a web design & online marketing business

If you know about website design and marketing concepts then starting your own web design and online marketing business could be the perfect opportunity for you to do so.

The online marketing industry is the second largest industry in the United States and continues to grow. The online marketing industry is massive. It is estimated to grow by 30% annually, reaching $400B in the next four years.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $800,000/month

How Shannon Mattern built a DIY web design training business from scratch that now generates $10k/month in revenue through affiliate commissions and courses, without outside investment or debt.

26. Become a mobile personal trainer

Do you love helping people through their fitness journey? If you want a great side hustle to earn extra income, consider becoming a personal trainer.

The fitness trainer side hustle can be an adamant industry to earn good money. However, once you develop a reputation as a good trainer, you can get more clients through referrals. You need to register for the certification course to start offering personal trainer services in Zambia.

To attract your first clients, consider online advertising, and seek referrals from every customer.

How much you can make: $600 — $60,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 4 hours/week

Sweat from Home is a two-way, interactive, and live-streaming group fitness workout startup that has held over 800 classes since March 2020, generates $25k in monthly recurring revenue, and has donated over $7k to 6 different charities; they aim to become the world's best live-streamed fitness class.

27. Become a proofreader

Proofreading business is a service that helps customers review their written work and ensure it is ready for publication. Typically, a proofreader corrects grammatical errors and provides the written piece meets any relevant style guide.

As a proofreader, you can work online, allowing you to choose what time to work.

If you plan to start a professional proofreading business in Zambia, make sure you possess the following skills:

• Have an excellent grasp of grammar
• Ability to correct mistakenly capitalized words
• Familiarity with the proper use of capitalization
• Use spell-checkers to flag misspelled words

Proofreading is a great way to enhance content quality. With the increased use of written content marketing to reach a broader market, the demand for professional proofreaders has grown tremendously. Professional proofreaders earn an average of $12/hr. And $30/hr.

Therefore, consider proofreading as a business if you are looking for a great side hustle idea or simply looking for ways to increase your income.

How much you can make: $2,000/month

A proofreader was able to build a consistent income of ~$2,000 per month from scratch with zero experience in the field, no expenses, and barely any upfront costs by targeting bloggers and content creators who want their content to be copy edited and proofread.

28. Start a language translation service

Language translation services bridge the linguistic barriers, helping businesses reach a wider audience outside of a single language. A language translation job is an opportunity to cover a wide range of topics and meet people from different cultures.

To become a language translator in Zambia, master a second language and earn some experience so you become fluent in the second language.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $550,000/month

How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.

29. Start a freelancer platform

Freelancer platform is a place where people come with skills and services to offer and people come who need those skills and services. So we can say freelancer platforms are a marketplace for sellers and buyers of services and skills.

The freelancing industry is growing rapidly and it's becoming a popular career option for people who are "non-traditional" employees. The global Freelance Platforms market size is expected to reach $6.7B by the year 2025 . While working on a full-time job, freelancers simultaneously work on a freelance career. The platforms available online help them to increase their business by attracting new clients.

With all of the businesses looking for help on their websites, it would be a good idea to start a freelancer platform. Freelance platforms do well because people have jobs that need to be done and businesses have the resources to pay for the job at hand.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $5,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,100 (?)

CloudDevs, a tech talent platform that sources and vets freelance tech talent and matches them with companies, has achieved $1 million in GMV in its first year, plans to achieve 100% growth year on year, and focuses on customer loyalty through its Net Promoter Score metric.

30. Start a clothes business

Starting a clothing manufacturing business can be a lucrative and great opportunity. In fact, clothing manufacturing is expected to grow due to increase demand for quality clothing items around the world.

It's important that you first determine your niche in the clothing manufacturing world, whether that be streetwear clothing, fitness and athletic, or leisure.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,333,333/month

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Bryden is a clothing manufacturing agency that offers an end-to-end service to fashion brands all over the world, serving customers in over 20 countries and bringing in an average monthly revenue of $74,000 within just a few years of launching.

31. Start a healthy food processing business

With the growing preference for healthy and functional food, starting a healthy food processing plant can be rewarding.

The advancements in the food processing industry, innovation in processing technology, and continuous growth in demand for processed food are some excellent reasons to consider opening a healthy food processing business.

To start a healthy food processing plant, find out a market gap, and research the demand. Understand customers changing tastes and focus on offering the best throughout.

How much you can make: $52,944/month

Bluebird Provisions Bone Broth is North America's fastest-growing bone broth brand, doing 49,000 per month and growing 50% YoY, with 5000% growth in customer base since starting, thanks to an SEO-focused strategy, email marketing, referrals, and Amazon.

32. Start a B2B sales app

A B2B sales app is software used by sales professionals to manage leads, create orders, generate quotes and close deals.

According to statistics, 72% of B2B buyers highly value the convenience of self-service access to accounts and orders.

A B2B sales app may have features such as an automated lead generation system, a lead scoring system, and automated follow-ups, to help the sales professionals improve sales performance by speeding up the ordering process. Another feature may be the ability to give customers access to the salespersons' product catalog so that they can self-order conveniently.

If you're thinking about starting a B2B sales app, start by validating the idea by reaching out to sales professionals for recommendations, and check to see what they say about particular solutions they might already be using.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $666,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)

How long does it take to build: 80 days (?)

Integrately founder Abhishek A Agrawal built a 1-click integration platform which acquired around 1,500 paid customers within the first month of its launch, showing that people are looking for an easy way to automate their processes.

33. Start a dating app

A mobile dating app is one of the most popular mobile-only businesses for creating an ecosystem and generating revenue. But, with the help of a robust development team, you can surpass all your competitors and create a sleeker end product than anyone else in this market.

Dating apps have made their way into an industry that was gaining enough traction. The online Dating Market size was valued at $7.35B in 2020 and is projected to reach $10.87B by 2028.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $30,000/month

How long does it take to build: 182 days (?)

Michele Velazquez's Marriage Proposal Planning company, The Heart Bandits, has made over $5M planning proposals for NFL athletes and busy executives across 5 continents.

34. Start an online retail store

Starting an online retail store is straightforward. All you need is a computer, a domain, and a web hosting service. Then, determine a niche for your online store, and conduct product research before listing products.

You can start your online store based on a drop shipping business model or list your self-made products in your online store.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,000,000/month

A high school student turned his love for LEGO into a $1.6k/month business, Summerfield's Toys, by reselling sets online through eBay, BrickLink, and Facebook Marketplace, in addition to buying and reselling brand new sets.

35. Start a stock video business

Stock video is pre-filmed footage that can be purchased and used in various projects and films. Like stock photos, copyrighted stock videos cannot be used without permission and licensing from the rightful owner.

Businesses and filmmakers use licensed stock footage as they save money and hours, they would need to create original footage. Starting a stock video suitable for use in commercials and entertainment can be a great venture.

How much you can make: $10,000/month

How long does it take to build: 197 days (?)

VideoPlasty, an affordable and easy-to-use platform for buying pre-made stock animation elements and GIF images, has attracted over 600,000 visitors since its launch, with over $100k in revenue in 2020 alone, thanks to free organic traffic from YouTube tutorials and optimized SEO.

36. Start a grocery store

A grocery store sells a wide variety of food products, fresh or packaged, and other household & personal care items. The grocery store industry is the largest retail channel that makes $682 billion in the United States.

To start a basic grocery store, you can expect to spend a minimum of $50,000. Ideally, the bigger expense would be the rent, equipment, labor cost, cash registers/POS systems, and software. Some of these are recurring monthly fees. However, the location, size of the store, competitors, and local customers will significantly impact the business. A new grocer should sell more items for a lower price to make a more significant profit.

A new grocer can also save costs by buying the items from local distributors. The distributor is the middleman between the manufacturer and the grocery store selling it. Once the store cost and location are decided, the next step is to obtain a seller license. In most states, a grocer's license is required to run a grocery store.

Thus an average grocery store has a profit margin of 3% to 5%. The profit rates depend on the store's location, size, and popularity. On average, a small to medium grocery store can make a profit of up to $300,000 annually if all the profit factors are considered.

Another way to make your business more profitable is to diversify your store and add amenities like a coffee shop or stocking up the front of the store with magazines, batteries, etc., as these items can cross a margin of up to 70%. As a rule of thumb, offering lower prices on higher purchases will ultimately win more customers and increase profitability.

37. Start an email marketing business

Email marketing is a popular and effective way for businesses to reach their target audience and promote their products or services.

With the rise of the internet and the increasing use of email as a communication tool, starting an email marketing business can be a lucrative and rewarding venture.

An email marketing business involves creating and sending marketing emails to a list of subscribers. The emails can be newsletters, promotional messages, or other types of content designed to engage and convert the recipient into a customer. The business owner is responsible for building and maintaining the email list, creating the content, and sending the emails using specialized software.

To start an email marketing business, you must have a strong understanding of marketing principles and a good grasp of best practices. This includes creating compelling subject lines, segmenting your email list, and analyzing your campaigns’ results. You will also need to be proficient in email marketing software like Mailchimp or Constant Contact.

To run a successful email marketing business, you must clearly understand your target audience and what they are interested in. This will help you create relevant and engaging content that resonates with your subscribers and encourages them to take action. A solid call to action in your emails is crucial, whether it’s visiting your website, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter. Starting an email marketing business requires marketing skills, expertise, and a willingness to learn and improve continuously. The right strategies and tools can be a rewarding and successful way to reach your target audience and grow your business.

How much you can make: $120 — $8,300,000/month

GMass, an email marketing platform that allows users to send cold emails and email marketing campaigns with Gmail, has attracted over 500,000 user signups, including major tech companies like Uber, LinkedIn, and Google, and now generates over $200K in monthly recurring revenue through a successful content marketing strategy and focused ad spend.

38. Start a 3D Printing Business

3D printing is a process that assembles objects layer by layer and starting a business in this industry can be a very creative venture.

You will need investment in the right equipment and materials, and the acquisition of 3D modeling and design skills. You will also need to regularly calibrate and maintain your 3D printers to deliver consistent results.

Plan how you'll handle shipping and logistics, and leverage technology to find new applications of 3D printing in all industries.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $330,000/month

How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)

Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.

39. Start a business support services

Business support services offer continuous administrative, technical, and operational assistance to companies.

To begin this business, start by identifying core services such as virtual assistance, bookkeeping, web services, and equipment maintenance to provide clients.

Market your services by attending networking events, cold calling local businesses, using social media, and having a website that emphasizes reliability, expertise, and cost-effectiveness.

Focus on understanding every client's operations and needs to customize your services, maintain strong communication, and build long-term relationships.

Stay up-to-date on business practices, technologies, and methods to enable clients to improve efficiency and concentrate on core functions effectively.

How much you can make: $6,800/month

Hutch, founded by Fearless, is a 24-month program that helps minority and women entrepreneurs in government digital services; the program has had 9 graduates, 11 company founders in current two cohorts, and 20 companies within its portfolio.

40. Start a youtube channel

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.

In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.

If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.

41. Start a restaurant

If you love cooking and are passionate about entrepreneurship, starting a restaurant can be a fun and lucrative business.

To get started, choose a great location, and hire an excellent support team. You will need a chef to inspect the food and line cooks, waiters, and waitresses to serve the customers. No matter the restaurant type, you need great culinary and business skills to make your dream come true.

If you plan to open a restaurant in Zambia, gain insight from consumer preferences and focus on serving modern consumers what they need.

How much you can make: $124,998 — $2,000,000/month

One Life Meals is a Toronto-based healthy meal delivery service that made 14,500 meals per month and generated $130k in monthly sales in 2018 through their one-on-one consultation, lean protein and seasonal veggies-based meals, and their focus on the client experience.

42. Start a social media management business

Similar to virtual assistants, social media managers offer various services, including but not limited to:

• Developing a marketing strategy based on clients’ goals
• Setting up social media accounts
• Posting on behalf of their clients
• Coming up with strategies for increasing client’s social media following
• Marketing analysis.

To become a social media manager, know the various platforms and understand how they work so you can develop strategies that help clients reach their goals.

The beauty of working as a social media manager is that you can define your work schedule and choose what niches to work on.

How much you can make: $100 — $550,000/month

This case study is about how the founder of AdvertiseMint, a Facebook advertising agency, started the company with just one employee and has since grown it to 25 employees, managing close to $100 million in digital media buys for clients such as Coca-Cola and Viacom.

43. Start a real estate appraisal service

Starting a real estate appraisal service is a great way to get involved in the industry without having to buy or sell property. As a real estate appraiser, you'll be responsible for estimating the value of properties. This can involve anything from single-family homes to commercial buildings.

To be successful, you'll need to have a strong understanding of the real estate market and the factors that affect property values. You'll also need to be licensed in your state. But, if you're up for the challenge, starting a real estate appraisal business can be a great way to make money in the industry.

Licensed appraisers can make between $40,000 and 100K. They can work for an appraisal management company (AMC), lending institution or government agency. Salary starts at about 40k with top end reaching up to 120 K depending on experience.

Starting a real estate appraisal business offers a niche opportunity that can be very profitable. Appraisers can often work from home, making it a great option for those who want the flexibility of being their own boss.

With the increase in transactions, there is a need for appraisers to accurately value properties. If you have the skills and experience, starting your own appraisal business can be a great way to make money in the real estate industry.

It 's important to note that, while there is a demand for appraisers, the industry is highly regulated. You'll need to be licensed and have the proper credentials to operate your business.

44. Become a handyman

Handyman offers various home repair services based on their skill set and the customer’s needs. Also known as a fixer, the handyman repairs works both on the interior and exterior.

The handyman business is a great part-time opportunity, and you can earn a high-profit margin while the overhead costs are low.

How much you can make: $8,000/month

Learn how a third generation business owner started a profitable pool service and installation business in Southern Ontario, earning an average of $8000/month net revenue during peak season and growing from servicing 0 to 350+ pools since May 2016 by doing things that don't scale, such as manually talking to customers and focusing on the ideal customer.

45. Start a restaurant

46. Start a hotels business

If you are considering starting a hotel, then it is time to implement your plan. There are five key elements to understand if you want to succeed in this industry: location, size, budget, experience, and market demand.

Here are some tips to consider before forming a hotel:

• Name your business
• Decide on a marketing strategy
• Start by renting out a room in your home.
• Hire a business capital broker
• Make a marketing plan
• Offer complementary services

How much you can make: $15,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 325 days (?)

Boyd Hollow Resorts is launching a 5-star boutique resort and event center based on a fiction book that will be the first of many Villages to be built around the world, with over 200 event inquiries received before launching.

47. Start a tourism business

Looking to turn your passion for travel into a profitable venture? Consider starting a tourism business. This enterprise involves organizing unique travel packages and experiences that cater to the interests and needs of various travelers.

You’ll coordinate accommodations, transportation, local tours, and dining options, ensuring seamless and enjoyable trips for your clients. It’s a dynamic field where you can partners with hotels, local guides, and other service providers to offer exclusive deals and access to hidden gems.

Understanding your target market and staying on top of travel trends is crucial. Building a compelling online presence and utilizing social media for marketing will help attract your clientele. It’s a demanding but rewarding endeavor, where your hard work results in unforgettable experiences for tourists. If you love planning and have a knack for logistics, a tourism business could be your ticket to a thriving career.

How much you can make: $1,999 — $60,000/month

How long does it take to build: 356 days (?)

TourScanner, a meta-search engine for tours and activities, achieved monthly net revenue of $60k and plans to reach $1M ARR in 2022, utilizing a lightweight business model based on affiliate programs that earned a commission from referrals sent to major travel companies like Viator, GetYourGuide, Musement, and Groupon.

48. Start a recycling business

The waste and recycling business offers several opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to start a company with a modest investment.

If you are passionate about caring for the environment, get into the recycling business. To start, you can ask individuals to drop recycling off at your facility or provide drop-offs in the form of dumpsters. Before you begin business operations, register the facility with the local government and prepare the equipment. Remember, the success of your recycling business depends on the equipment you use.

49. Start a telecommunications business

The telecommunication business involves the development, ownership, or operation of one or more telephone, telecommunications or information systems. Typically, telecom companies provide infrastructure to enable clients to transmit voice, video, and data.

To start a telecommunication business, you need telecommunication skills.

How much you can make: $150,000 — $840,000/month

How long does it take to build: 412 days (?)

United World Telecoms' founder saw explosive growth potential in the international callback industry and has since created a virtual phone system, partnered with over 2000 businesses worldwide, and uses Google Ads, SEO, and email marketing to promote customer satisfaction.

50. Start a transportation service

Transportation businesses offer ridesharing services, haul consumer goods, or ship supplies and products from one location to another. They target individual passengers, other companies, or global business partners.

If you are starting a transportation service in Zambia, decide who and what you will serve, set up the business structure, register the business, and apply for the required business licenses or permits. To ensure a profitable business, incorporate proper hiring procedures and keep up with maintenance and recertifications.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $1,080,000/month

Deepfinity, a proptech/logistics company, has developed an internal parcel tracking software tool that's helping large buildings cope with the influx of online shopping, and has been growing 20% MoM since making its first revenue 1.5 years ago, currently making $6K/Month.

51. Start a cleaning service

A housecleaning side business is a beautiful idea for people with free time on weekends or even weekdays. The side hustle idea requires little capital to start. During the launch, you can choose to offer the service to your neighbors and scale as you gain experience. The average salary for a house cleaner is $17.32 per hour.

By starting a house cleaning business in Zambia, you are tapping into an enormous market with plenty of clientele. There could always be demand for your cleaning service, which keeps you in business as you help homeowners keep their homes spotless.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $600,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 70 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 7 hours/week

MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.

52. Start a shoe shine stand business

Revitalize overlooked shoes and create a thriving business with a shoe shine stand. This venture centers on offering shoe polishing and maintenance services, bringing tired footwear back to life.

By setting up a stand in strategic high-traffic locations, such as downtown areas or near public transportation hubs, you cater to daily commuters and professionals wanting to maintain their appearance.

This business requires minimal setup costs—just a chair, a basic toolkit of polish, brushes, and cloths—and relies on consistent, quality service to build a loyal customer base. Beyond basic shining, you can offer additional services like leather conditioning and minor repairs.

A shoe shine stand isn't just about cleaning shoes; it's about offering a quick, affordable luxury that leaves customers feeling confident and polished. For those looking to start a straightforward, personal interaction-driven business with low overhead, this traditional yet timeless service is a promising opportunity.

How much you can make: $200,000/month

Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.

53. Start an education solutions services

Helping schools and organizations improve their learning outcomes is at the heart of education solutions services. Essentially, this business provides customized educational tools, resources, and consultancy to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement.

As an education solutions provider, you'll be addressing gaps in curriculum design, offering teacher training, and implementing new technologies to create a more dynamic learning environment. It's an avenue where your impact on society is not just measurable by profits but by the enriching of minds and futures.

To start, you'll need a robust understanding of educational challenges and a network of experienced educators. Equip yourself with the necessary tools and strategies to make a tangible difference in classrooms and beyond. This business not only promises revenue but the intangible rewards of shaping the educational landscape.

How much you can make: $50 — $86,992/month

How long does it take to build: 59 days (?)

UpBrainery Technologies, founded by Ghazal Qureshi, revolutionizes STEAM education by providing hands-on learning experiences in the form of education kits, virtual tutoring, and online curriculum, while also offering their services to organizations such as the Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., and the Houston Rockets.

Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

Join our free newsletter to get unlimited access to all startup data. We just need your email:

Check your email

If there's a Starter Story account associated with that email you'll get an email with a link to automatically log in. The link will expire in 15 minutes.

Your existing password still works, should you want to log in with it later.

With Starter Story, you can see exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue.

Dive into our database of 4,418 case studies & join our community of thousands of successful founders.

Join our free newsletter to get access now. We just need your email:

A Comprehensive Guide: How To Start Your Business In Zambia

• March 11, 2024

Starting and growing a venture in Zambia offers a unique set of opportunities and challenges. As an entrepreneur looking to tap into Zambia's emerging market, it's crucial to understand the economic landscape, cultural nuances, regulatory environment, and strategies for sustainable growth. This comprehensive guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully start and grow a business in Zambia.

Starting and growing a venture in Zambia presents a blend of unique opportunities and challenges. Entrepreneurs keen on exploring Zambia's market must navigate its economic dynamics, cultural practices, and regulatory landscape. Zambia, with its stable political climate, rich natural resources, and growing sectors like agriculture, mining, and tourism, is ripe for investment. The shift towards economic diversification offers new business avenues. Success in this emerging market requires in-depth market research, strategic business planning, legal compliance, effective financial management, and innovative growth strategies. Overcoming challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles and infrastructure constraints necessitates patience and adaptability. With a commitment to innovation and community development, entrepreneurs can achieve sustainable growth and contribute positively to Zambia’s economic and social progress.

Understanding the Zambian Market

Zambia, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, is known for its stable political environment, rich natural resources, and burgeoning sectors such as agriculture, mining, and tourism. The country's economic policies are designed to attract foreign investment and encourage local entrepreneurship. However, understanding the local market demands, competition, and consumer behavior is pivotal.

Economic Landscape

Zambia's economy has traditionally been anchored on copper mining, but there's a significant shift towards diversification. Sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and services are experiencing growth, opening new avenues for business ventures. The government's Vision 2030 and the Seventh National Development Plan outline strategies for economic diversification and sustainable development, which can provide insights into future growth areas.

Cultural Nuances

Zambia's culture, with its emphasis on community and relationships, can impact business operations. Building strong relationships with local communities, stakeholders, and authorities is important. Understanding and respecting cultural norms and practices can facilitate smoother business operations and negotiations.

Also Read: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility in Zambia with Taxi App Solutions

Steps to Starting a Business in Zambia

1. market research.

Conduct in-depth research to understand the demand, competition, customer preferences, and pricing strategies in your chosen sector. This step is crucial for identifying your unique value proposition.

2. Business Plan Development

Create a detailed business plan outlining your business concept, market analysis, operational strategy, financial projections, and growth plan. This document will be essential for securing financing and guiding your business's development.

3. Legal Requirements and Registration

• Business Registration: Register your business with the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) and obtain the necessary licenses and permits.
• Tax Registration: Register for taxes with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and understand your tax obligations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations, including employment laws, environmental standards, and industry-specific requirements.

4. Funding And Financial Management

Identify your startup capital requirements and explore financing options, including bank loans, venture capital, government grants, and angel investors. Implement robust financial management practices to control costs, manage cash flow, and ensure profitability.

5. Location And Infrastructure

Choose a strategic location for your business based on accessibility, target market, and cost considerations. Ensure that you have the necessary infrastructure, including technology, transportation, and utilities.

Growing Your Business in Zambia

1. product and service innovation.

Continuously innovate your products or services to meet changing market needs and stay ahead of competitors. Consider leveraging technology to improve efficiency and expand your market reach.

2. Marketing And Branding

Develop a strong brand and marketing strategy to build awareness and attract customers. Utilize digital marketing, social media, and traditional advertising channels to reach your target audience.

3. Expansion and Diversification

As your business stabilizes, consider expanding your product line, entering new markets, or diversifying into related sectors. This can help mitigate risks and fuel long-term growth.

4. Partnerships and Networking

Build strategic partnerships with other businesses, government agencies, and industry associations. Networking can open doors to new opportunities, resources, and knowledge sharing.

5. Talent Management

Invest in recruiting, training, and retaining skilled employees. A motivated and skilled workforce is essential for innovation, customer service, and operational efficiency.

6. Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Implement practices that contribute positively to the community and environment. This can enhance your brand's reputation and foster loyalty among customers and employees.

Challenges and Solutions

Starting and growing a business in Zambia , like in any emerging market, comes with challenges. These include navigating bureaucratic processes, accessing financing, infrastructure constraints, and managing operational costs. Addressing these challenges requires patience, strategic planning, and adaptability. Building strong local networks, leveraging technology, and staying informed about regulatory changes can help overcome these obstacles.

The journey of starting and growing a venture in Zambia is both challenging and rewarding. By understanding the market, meticulously planning, and employing strategic growth initiatives, entrepreneurs can tap into Zambia's vast potential. The key to success lies in innovation, resilience, and a commitment to contributing positively to Zambia's economic and social development. With the right approach, your business can flourish in Zambia's dynamic and evolving market landscape.

Vinay Jain is the Co-Founder at Grepix Infotech and brings over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience. His focus revolves around software & business development and customer satisfaction.

Recent Posts

The role of ai in iphone app development: current trends and future possibilities, why iphone app development is crucial for business growth, how to solve urban parking woes with your custom car parking app, from sketch to store: a comprehensive guide to ios app development, how to overcome common challenges in ios app development, the impact of cutting-edge technology on ride-hailing, maximize your taxi business reach with social media, top logistics app development companies in india, top ambulance app development companies in india, leading the way as the no.1 taxi app development company, top taxi app development companies in noida, top taxi app development companies in india, ai and machine learning: transforming taxi app efficiency, navigating the shift to electric and autonomous vehicles in taxi services, the rise of iot in taxi app development: enhancing safety and efficiency, creating seamless multi-modal travel experiences through taxi apps, how blockchain is securing taxi app transactions, next stop: innovation - behind the scenes of the indriver clone, how to build a bolt clone: essential features and technologies, mastering mobility: launching a successful careem clone, blablacar clone: innovation or imitation a deep dive, comprehensive guide: how to start a taxi business in usa, comprehensive guide: how to starting your business in usa, how to start a successful taxi business in italy: a complete guide, comprehensive guide: how to launch a successful business in italy, ultimate guide: how to launch a profitable taxi business in switzerland, comprehensive guide: how to start your business in switzerland, the do's and don'ts of developing a popular dating app, why invest in a dating app: opportunities and insights in the digital love industry, ultimate guide: how to launch a profitable taxi business in uae, comprehensive guide: how to launch a successful business in uae, how to start and scale a taxi business in the uk, entrepreneur's guide: how to start your own business in the uk, comprehensive guide: how to start a taxi business in australia, a comprehensive guide how to launch a business in australia.

Starting a Business in Zambia: A Comprehensive Guide

• The Business Consultant in Zambia

If you’re an entrepreneur or investor looking to tap into the business opportunities in Zambia, understanding the registration process is crucial. Zambia, known for its rich resources and growing economy, offers a favorable environment for businesses. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to start a business in Zambia, ensuring you navigate the process seamlessly.

1. Introduction Zambia, located in the heart of southern Africa, is becoming a hotspot for investors and entrepreneurs worldwide. Its regulatory environment, under the supervision of the Registrar of Companies, has made it straightforward for both local and foreign investors to establish their ventures. Whether you’re considering a sole proprietorship, partnership, or a limited liability company, this guide will help you get started.

2. Understanding Business Structures in Zambia Before diving into the registration process, it’s essential to comprehend the business structures available:

• Foreign Companies: Foreign investors can establish a fully owned local company without mandatory Zambian shareholders, thanks to The Companies Act (2017).
• Limited Liability Companies: These are the most popular among investors and can be either private or public. Taxation for such entities occurs at the company level.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Business in Zambia

a. Name Search and Reservation: Begin by checking the uniqueness of your company name online. The Patent And Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) oversees this process. Expect fees for name search and reservation.

b. Declaration of Compliance: The declaration, known as Companies Form 11, must bear the signature of a Commissioner of Oaths.

c. Official Registration: Register your business with PACRA. This involves submitting various forms and the associated fees. If you’re branching out from a foreign company, there are additional requirements, including the submission of your home country’s Certificate of Incorporation.

d. Tax Registration: Obtain a tax ID number by registering with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA). The Certificate of Incorporation is a prerequisite for this.

e. Social Security Registration: It’s mandatory to register with the National Pension Scheme Authority. Again, the Certificate of Incorporation is required.

f. Business Levy: A business levy payment is essential before commencing your business operations.

g. VAT Registration: If your business hits specific financial thresholds, registering for Value Added Tax (VAT) with the ZRA becomes mandatory.

h. Investment Registration Certificate: While optional, obtaining this certificate has its benefits. However, there’s a minimum investment threshold.

i. Bank Account Creation: Once you’ve secured your foreign taxpayer registration ID, you can open a bank account with various commercial banks in Zambia.

j. Acquiring Licenses and Permits: Depending on your business type, you may need health clearance, fire clearance, business permits, and licenses for dealing with excisable goods.

4. Conclusion Starting a business in Zambia is a promising venture, given the nation’s growing economy and investor-friendly regulations. By following this comprehensive guide and ensuring all requirements are met, entrepreneurs can set a strong foundation for their businesses in Zambia.

Get Updates/Make Inquiry

More From Our Blog

Navigating the Licensing and Permit Landscape for Small and Medium Enterprises in Zambia

Navigating the Import and Export Landscape

Government Incentives and Support for Small and Medium Enterprises in Zambia

How Odoo ERP Software Can Assist a Manufacturing Company

Investing in Zambia: A Comprehensive Guide to the Major Multi-Facility Economic Zones in Zambia

Unlock your sales team’s potential: the power of daily sales training.

• Enterprise solutions
• company secretarial
• HR Consulting
• health care
• construction
• manufacturing & distribution
• real estate
• check menu for more

M&J Consultants  1504 Mungulube Road, Northmead, Lusaka, ZM

Contact Info

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• +260 950 054 386 || +260 777 369 840

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Business Plan Mezya Financial Services Limited

Mezya Financial services business plan

This a parenthesis of the plan to establish a microfinance business in Zambia. The paper documents what the firm intends to do to achieve the outlined planned and outlines that resources required to achieve such.

Related Papers

ilham ilham nofi yoga

Finance for non financial manager

Sushil Verma

Héctor Ruiz

Daniel Laranjo

Shahid Shaikh

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

Nyamuka Zambia

Lusaka, zambia, contact info.

Business plan competition

The Nyamuka Zambia business plan competition provides an integrative learning experience for all participants. This competition seeks to unleash talent, create entrepreneurial heroes, reward excellence as well as change attitudes towards entrepreneurship in Zambia.

This initiative provides a perfect platform for entrepreneurs to challenge themselves to develop that business idea that they have or to scale up an existing business and in the process creating employment and wealth for the country.

Business skills training

Nyamuka Zambia provides professional knowledge, skills and tools vital for business success. The company offers innovative, experiential based training that assists in the creation of effective entrepreneurs and enterprises. The goal is to unleash entrepreneurship qualities in each individual, ensuring sustainable economic development and wealth creation.

Nyamuka Zambia is dedicated to helping small business persons in developing their business ideas, implementing them and building successful businesses. After training, this organisations continues to monitor the performance of newly trained entrepreneurs, staying in touch with their struggles and achievements.

Contact information

Message nyamuka zambia, enquiries, questions, quotation requests etc, you may also be interested in..., related categories.

Run a business in Zambia?

• Electricity
• Licence Checklists
• Consumer Affairs

ERB Board’s Decision on ZESCO Limited’s Applications for an Emergency Tariff

Press statement – public notice and call for comments on zesco’s application for an emergency tariff, public notice and call for comments on zesco’s application for an emergency tariff, see all news....

Sector reports and statistical bulletins 

Searchable document library

RELATED LINKS

Find out more from the industry

Strategic Business Plan

This Strategic Business Plan outlines the aspirations and priorities of the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) in the short to medium term. These priorities are delineated into strategic objectives in order to address the breadth of the organization’s mandate. This Strategic Business Plan spans a four year period from 2018-2021 and is structured in the Balanced Scorecard Framework.

As a regulator, our ultimate goal is to balance and safeguard the interests of all energy stakeholders in a manner that facilitates sustainable energy development for socio-economic transformation. Like an eagle we are determined to remain focused on our role, and show strength and dynamism in discharging our regulatory mandate.

Our main thrust during the Strategic Business Plan (SBP) period will be to achieve a minimum of 90% compliance to the technical standards for energy infrastructure, minimum of 95% compliance to petroleum products quality standards, and minimum of 73% compliance to electricity quality standards by all licensed entities, and to attain cost reflective tariffs and margins for improved viability in the energy sector. The Energy Regulation Act, Cap 436 of the Laws of Zambia stipulates specific functional areas of focus and related expectations.

This SBP therefore integrates these obligations, stipulations and functions into priority areas and discusses how these are going to address the overall mandate of the organization within the timeframe specified.

Subscribe to our UPDATES

• Partner with Us

Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.

To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.

• Send Pictures
• To Advertise
• Privacy Policy
• Comments Policy
• General News
• Photo Gallery

Writing a Winning Business Plan—Ten Tips

By Wesley Ngwenya

Tip #1: Excellent Executive Summary

An Executive Summary can be a combination of both the background and introduction. You must write an effective and compelling Executive Summary. It will ensure that you and whomever reads your plan can instantly grasp what your overall projected business picture will look like. This is an overview. It addresses the who, what, where, when, why and how. It must be strong and fabulous.

Tip #2: Assess Your Skills, Abilities and Experience It is very important to know what your skills, abilities and hobbies are. Your business is likely to be successful if you can transform these skills into ventures that can earn you money. This helps you focus on your strengths and not weaknesses. In your business plan, you need to clearly outline what your skills are and what other partners are also bringing whether it is in the form of skill or experience. Address the three Es. These are experience, expertise and examples. What is your experience in doing this kind of business? What exactly is your expertise and how will you be tapping into the expertise of others? Do you have any successful examples of how you the best person to run this business venture?

Tip #3: Realize the Risk of Business

Getting involved into business is also risk business. Remember that your business will need your undivided attention. This means you will risk money, you will risk time, you will risk personal resources, and you will risk your energy. Remember there is no sweet before you sweat. You clearly need to determine how you will ensure that your vision is sustained and your morale is high as you get into writing a business plan and implementing it.

Tip #4: Know your Competitors

Know your competitors by name. Where they are located, who are their managers, the varieties of products they offer, their prices, their discounts, their strengths, their weaknesses, and any other relevant information. Research, research and do more research!

Tip #5: Know your Customers

Know what kind of people are going to buy your product and service. Are you going to get the same customers as those of your competitors? Or are you entirely creating a new customer base? Do you know the demographics of your customers—their age, income, where they live, lifestyle, etc? I am often disappointed when I help clients writing business plans because they seem never to have a target customer base in mind. I often encourage them to have a target market and design their products to meet the needs of that market.

Tip #6: Have a Marketing Strategy

It is important to develop a step-by-step plan on how you are going to enter the market. Put up a plan on how you are going to compete favorably on the market. Are you going to be price-driven or service-driven? Marketing strategy is the pillar of the business plan. Many small businesses in Zambia have failed because our entrepreneurs lack the skills of marketing and the spirit of resilience.

Tip #7: Have a Start-Up Budget

Ensure that you have put aside a specific amount of money for the business. Whether this money is borrowed or is from your pocket. The start-up budget should clearly be reflected in the business plan.

Tip #8: Put up a Strong Management Team The people that are going to run your business are very important. They are like builders. The blueprint is already done and all the materials are already gathered. Now the huge task to making all these materials transformed into a lovely building remains on the shoulders of the builders. The management team needs to know what to do every time. Ensure that your management team knows what your expectations are. Give them goals to meet. Do not tolerate any slackers.

Tip #9: Do a Cash-flow Analysis

This is perhaps the most important part of your business plan. If you are borrowing money or looking for potential investors or business partners, this is where they will first look at. A cash-flow analysis determines what your revenues will be, what your costs will be and what profits you will be making over a predetermined period. Cash-flows are the blueprints of the business plan.

Tip #10: Utilize Professional Services

In order to come up with a compelling business plan it is important that you use professional help. Consult a professional business plan writer, a banker and a lawyer so that they can help you put all the loose ends together. It will cost you but it is worth every Kwacha spent. Remember cheap is expensive. This weekend 2nd April, 2011 we are hosting a workshop on “Creating Investment Opportunities for Entrepreneurs”. This is a great opportunity for those in Lusaka to network with other businesspeople. During this time, I will be helping those who would like to write a business plan in order to raise capital. My other colleagues will also be sharing on other topics. Feel free to contact me for more information. Wes_ngwenya AT yahoo DOT com

16 COMMENTS

GREAT ADVICE. ALSO REMEMBER GUYS, DOWNLOAD BUSINESS PLAN PRO AND YOU’LL NEVER GO WRONG. ZAMBIANS WE MUST CHANGE OUR COUNTRY, WE SHOULD NOLONGER WAIT FOR OTHERS TO DO IT FOR US.

ICHALO TULE SENDA, WINDS OF CHANGE ARE GATHERING

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm……………………? Cool though all business students have done this already,maybe its directed at PF kaponya’s but again they cant write.

The problem in zambia is that there is so much license to be acquired when starting a business more than 6 licenses.

This is copy and paste stuff that we have already read on the internet. Give us a real life scenario of someone and how they went about with it, how it went, lessons learnt etc. I hope Wesley Ngwenya is a successful businessman otherwise it will be like those witchdoctors advertising get rich concoctions when they are staying beneath the flyover bridge.

# 4, It does not mean only doctors who have been sick are the ones who should treat. You went to school in order to advise others to run businesses even if you have never been an entreprenuer. This is the reason you have achieved so much academically and your Grade one teacher has remained with a graduate certificate. Our grandparents gave us valuable advice about how to rise to the top and yet they remained in the village. It is not in the practice but in the wisdom where we find value.

Kapdi is still kicking it in Kapiri? wow! Pa Kapdi

Its so childish that some of these characters are masters at criticizing, yet they never offer any original ideas of their own. I was taught a business plan years back and yet I find these tips very refreshing. Learn how to give credit where’s its due, banyamazai imwe.

PF Kaponya’s can’t understand a thing about business plans that’s why they are surely the ones negative about this. For those that missed the news, the Kaponya’s style of leadership was at peak in Chingola on Saturday when the Seprpent ordered the Mayor to go down on his knees and apologize in public for have demolished illegal houses in some compound! and the kaponya mayor had no guts but do as ordered by his master! What a Zambia it would be if the SataN was to go to State House. Surprisingly the serpent himself did exactly the same when he was Local government minister in the Chiluba gov. but atleast FTJ had the decency not to ask the serpent to do the same but just reprimanded him in private which is what a leader should do.

#1, ICHALO TULE SENDA, WINDS OF CHANGE ARE GATHERING

Mulesenda ichalo kuli banani? It’s as if the country is in the hands of foreigners.

That is where PF slogans are ridiculous. If the slogan is to have any meaning it can only mean that you want to give the country to Mr Sata as a personal property, God forbid!.

@ 4, great stuff.

This great information…Thank you Mr. Ngwenya for sharing with us this expensive information. Zambians, we must take up the challenge.

No 4 learn to give credit, not. Just condemning anyhow like your fellow politicians

#4 shame on you

great write up

This is just an additional advice more of such tips are given time and again by the likes of chibamba kanyama & felix galamukani banda every week on muvi tv and wind matoka from ZDA  as well as kennedy musonda 4th dimesion.Now the question is are the Zambian implementing  this advice or it’s being head and read on paper and television? we should also ask ourselves why is it foreigners like indians,chinese & somalians are doing it more than us zambians?? or are we just good at talking without action?if that the case then we just have to blame ourselves.   

I need someone to write a business proposal for me. Call me here +260971946968 / +260962371054

Comments are closed.

Eight Bodies Recovered from Chongwe Gravel Mine Collapse; Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Historic consecration of three bishops at anglican cathedral of the holy cross, message for today:keep celebrating, president hichilema graces kulamba traditional ceremony, calls for climate-smart agriculture to ensure food security, zambia is back in business.

• Headlines 24083
• General News 21597
• Sports 11391
• Economy 10946
• Rural News 4445
• Columns 3426
• Health 2756
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy

© Lusaka Times

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• Money/Stock Exchange
• Letters to the Editor

Last post on : February 26, 2014  

Most business plans are in fact produced by a consultant and are copied from a standard business plan template, the consultant that you paid anything from K1,000 to K30,000 to produce it will not be able to stand by it, as in most cases, they have not any in depth knowledge of your business and simply cut and pasted what you told them on to the template.

Bank managers will not read it in any detail, they will certainly not question the viability or sustainability of it, as long as it looks ok they will accept it. Hereby being the root cause of Zambia’s extreme debt situation. Loans being easily obtained from banks and financial institutions on the basis of a very flimsy and totally useless business plans, a purely fictitious cash flow projection and loans being granted only on security which in most cases is highly inflated value, but this is a subject of another article in the future.

Even worse, I can guarantee that once a business plan has been produced and given to the bank, the business plan is filled away, sometimes in the bin, sometimes in a file and forgotten about. How many of you out there can truthfully tell me that you consult the plan and adapt it as your business grows.

Only you, the business owner, know your business ideas and potential, only you know the risks and pit falls that your business will and may encounter along its path. Only you understand your ideals and dreams. Yet you let some unqualified so called consultant draw up such an important document.

Excuse me for bringing in religion into this, but to all you church goers, you all follow a business plan, you consult it every day of your life, the Bible is in fact a business plan of life, it details what you should and should not do, it guides you through your life.

The business plan is in fact your Bible , it is a very important document that you, and you alone as the business principal should have produced or at least been part of the production.

So let’s get down to what a business plan should contain. It is firstly a plan, a plan of were you are, were you are going too and how you are going to get there. It also confirms that you have the right staff to achieve the journey, that you identify and protect your key employees.

It tells the reader of your dream, it lists the milestones that you need to achieve to reach that dream, and it shows you the capital that you will need to achieve this.

It should show that you have investigated the risks, the market potential and the opportunities for expansion.

A business plan is essential for any new or expanding business. It will help you to turn your idea into a reality and gives you an important insight into the hurdles you will face in your journey.

A business plan gives an outline of your business, the market in which it will operate, and how it aims to make money.

Writing your own business plan is vitally important, as it will help you assess whether your business has the potential to succeed. Your business plan should allow you to answer the question: why will your business succeed when so many others fail?

The business plan is your document and can be written however you want to but it should have the following sections

a. An executive statement – Why this business, were are you going with the business, why do you think you will succeed.

b. General Business description

c. Your product or service. What is your USP, why have you priced it as you have, Is it different to others and why. Where does it fit into the market place. Show that you know your product, better still, that you are an expert in the product.

d. Marketing Plan. – How are you going to promote the product to the customer, How are you going to create the desire for the public to want to buy or use your product. What is the marketing programme, both in time and cost. Are you going for a brand,

e. Operational Plan – What are your goals and identify the milestones that will let you check your progress towards the goal. What are your staffing requirements. Do you have key personnel that need keeping at all times and who are they, How are you going to keep them and what effect will it be if you lost them. Do you have the right premises and facilities to operate, not only now but in the future. If not, do you have an expansion plan. If you have an expansion programme, share it,

f. Financial viability – Prove that the business is viable. Investigate risk areas or periods and state the plan b you have to overcome these. Note the profitability of the business or different products, Investigate your overheads, make sure they are at a controllable minimum.

g. Start up or expansion capital requirements – What capital do you need and when do you need it, also why do you need it. But please you need as little as is possible.

h. Financial plans – 12 month, Three or maybe five year cash flow projections showing the need for capital, the cash flow problem areas and the overall profitability. Also showing the strain areas and low months. It needs to be complete including all costs, it should prove the viability of the business and if needed, the affordability for any loan.

i. SWOT analysis – Investigate the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities of your business and state in the plan the ways you will use or avoid these as required.

In previous articles, I talked about the very important question “What If” The business plan is the document were you ask this question of yourself and your business.

What if my competition cut their prices?

What if my key personnel left me or died?

What if I changed direction and produced a new product?

What if the market changed, could I adapt?

There are hundreds of similar questions you need to ask, but only when you have answered them, can you truly prepare a good business plan.

Remember a business plan is not for the bank, it is a document that should prove to you, the business owner or CEO that the business is a good one, is viable and worth pursuing. It should give you ideas, as you write it, questions will pop up and more ideas will come into your head.

Look for problems, problems that may crop up in the future, plan to avoid them or convert them into opportunities. When writing the business plan, do it honestly, not just to impress the bank manager. An honest plan will show you the risk areas, it will identify the possible problem areas and once alerted, you can plan to overcome them.

A business plan needs investigation, it is no good to simply say there is a market out there, you need to undertake a market research.

My lovely wife has even fallen foul of this, she has opened “Makeni Garden Centre” and is busy growing thousands of beautiful plants and shrubs for homes around Lusaka, but she was offered a site in Northmead from which to sell her plants. She simply dived in and set up without undertaking a market research, without looking at the surrounding houses, the ease of parking, the visibility. The site simply is not working and never will.

So please your business plan is vital but its your business plan, yes get someone to write but use your words, use your investigation, it is not a bank document, there is frankly no one at any of the banks with sufficient business knowledge to be able to read it any case, It is not a financial document although they use it as such. Your business plan is your Bible and should be treated in the same vain.

Start or expand your business, there is huge potential in Zambia, but please, if you want to succeed, have a proper plan.

Bobby East cashes in...

Ghanaian actors to visit...

Nigerian stars premiere...

• Nine miners buried alive
• HH to grace Kulamba ceremony
• Ex-IDC boss, ZAFFICO director, 5 others acquitted
• Give graduates jobs – Mutati
• Junkies fight: HH prods church

www.gmail.com login

By JUDITH NAMUTOWE
 - THE Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has said the feasibility study on the Batoka Hydropower Station has been reviewed. ZRA chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa said in an interview yesterday that the review on the demo structure, power house and capacity output on the project had been completed. Mr Munodawafa said the authority was currently waiting for the second phase of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). ‘‘We have reviewed the Batoka Hydropower Station feasibility study. The study on the demo structure, power house structure and the capacity output on the project has been completed,’’ Mr Munodawafa said. He said the finalisation of the study and the EIA was expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2015. Mr Munodawfa said consultants were currently working on other processes and thereafter the project committee which include senior Government officials , utilities and ZRA would visit the project this month. He said once all these processes were completed, ZRA would then be able to select the developer for the project, after which the authority would be able to come up with the actual value of the project. Zambia and Zimbabwe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to team up and start the Batoka hydropower project which is estimated to cost about US$4 billion. The agreement was signed during the council of ministers held at Kariba in Siavonga recently.

Brian Mwiinga Business Plan

by Brian Mwiinga

This is just to be used as a sample of a business plan for students or anyone intending to prepare a project or business proposal for their small business. It is a plan that I drafted for a small holding I own. It is a business plan about a small mixed... More

This is just to be used as a sample of a business plan for students or anyone intending to prepare a project or business proposal for their small business. It is a plan that I drafted for a small holding I own. It is a business plan about a small mixed farming operation Less

• Related publications
• Add to favorites

• Where We Work
• Our Partners
• Tender Opportunities
• Partner With Us
• Resilience and Livelihoods
• Child Protection and Spiritual Nurture
• Water Sanitation & Hygiene
• Humanitarian Emergency Response
• Our Priorities

World Vision Zambia Launches a 10-year FMNR Scale-Up Business Plan aimed at restoring 2 million hectares of land

• Link for sharing
• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

World Vision Zambia, in partnership with the Zambian Government and other stakeholders, has launched an ambitious Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) Scale-Up Business Plan with a bold vision to restore 2 million hectares of degraded land by scaling FMNR for the benefit of current and future generations of children.

This is part of the global World Vision initiative to restore One Billion hectares of land by 2033, and Zambia will contribute 2 million to the target.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Collins Nzovu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Douty Chibamba, said the Zambian government is committed to supporting this strategy and ensuring that the set targets are achieved.

“With this FMNR Scale-Up business plan, Zambia and its people will gain more from this strategy,” said Dr. Chibamba. “ Land and forest degradation have impacted communities negatively, with many subsistence farmers being rendered less productive and their livelihoods being affected. Therefore, we are grateful to partners like World Vision Zambia for setting the pace and leading the way in curbing the impact of climate change.”

He further stated the government remains committed to ensuring that policy reforms are in place to enhance environmental management.

World Vision Zambia Acting National Director Ngoza Kabaso said the organization will support the government’s vision to restore 2 million hectares of degraded land, led by scaling FMNR in Zambia, for the benefit of current and future generations.

“This launch is in line with the government of Zambia's aspirations in sustainable land management and climate change mitigation, both at national and grassroots levels,” said Ms. Ngoza.

She said that through the FMNR Scale-UP Business Plan, World Vision would directly restore 600,000 hectares of degraded land by scaling FMNR.

“Working with communities, World Vision Zambia seeks to restore 600,000 hectares of land directly using community-based programmes,” said Ms. Kabaso. To catalyse this FMNR Business Plan, World Vision Zambia will work to identify and respond to systematic barriers and opportunities to adopting and spreading FMNR. There are many targets and tactics to support scaling FMNR, and these shall be done at different levels by working with like-minded partners.”

The Acting National Director pointed out that World Vision was already working with partners (including government line ministries and other NGOs to embed FMNR in their programming) to ensure the sustainability and widespread adoption and practice of FMNR as a restoration concept.

World Vision Zambia Associate Director for Grants Management Mercy Ngoma said this business plan is an initiative that was born in response to the escalating challenge of land degradation.

“The business plan was developed through intensive collaboration with various stakeholders and partners in the sector and involved numerous engagement meetings with World Vision Australia and World Vision Zambia,” said Ms. Ngoma.

Content Search

Zambia country strategic plan (2019–2024), attachments.

Executive summary

Despite achieving lower-middle-income status in 2011, Zambia continues to face complex development challenges. While food production at the national level consistently exceeds domestic requirements, both the availability of and access to adequate and nutritious food are a persistent challenge for many poor households, mainly because of the country’s overreliance on maize. Zambia’s proportion of undernourished people is among the world’s highest, with 48 percent of people unable to meet their minimum calorie requirements and stunting affecting 40 percent of children under 5 years of age. Zambia also has one of the world’s most unequal societies, and imbalanced gender power relations being a major contributor to poverty and food insecurity.

To address these challenges, WFP’s Zambia country office has designed a five-year country strategic plan that is the result of rigorous consultations with the Government, donors and other stakeholders and that reflects the appetite of these stakeholders for supporting and partnering with WFP in the country. It is informed by and strongly aligned with national and United Nations priorities and global commitments articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals. It embraces the Government’s long-term Vision 2030, is coherent with ten key strategic areas of the country’s seventh national development plan and contributes to the joint Zambia-United Nations sustainable development partnership framework. The country strategic plan is informed by WFP’s long-standing and broad experience in the country, embracing lessons from evaluations and reviews that call for greater synergy, a consolidation of pilot initiatives and improved gendersensitive approaches to programme design. It is also guided by the national zero hunger strategic review.

In a break with past approaches, both the zero hunger strategic review and the seventh national development plan reflect a recognition of hunger and malnutrition as multifaceted issues that require well-integrated, collaborative, multisectoral national approaches that draw on the skills and resources of core stakeholders.

The strategic review and the national development plan point to an increasing national consensus on how to ensure food and nutrition security, which has created an opportunity for WFP to refocus its investments and efforts on areas where it has a genuine comparative advantage and can generate maximum impact. Through this integrated country strategic plan, WFP proposes to make a pragmatic shift from unsustainable localized and microlevel interventions to advocacy for and engagement with national policies, systems and programmes that facilitate the country’s achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2. Given the Government’s commitment to allocating budget resources to nutrition, social protection and agriculture interventions, despite Zambia’s constrained national finances, WFP’s overarching strategy is to provide enhanced systems, expertise and resources aimed at enabling the Government to meet its policy objectives.

In accordance with WFP’s corporate strategic plan for 2017–2021, the country strategic plan addresses Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 17 and WFP’s Strategic Results 1, 2, 3 and 5. WFP will implement six activities aimed at the achievement of four strategic outcomes: respond to crises and shocks, including through support for refugees; address the root causes of malnutrition; build resilience, an enabling environment and market access for smallholders, especially women; and support government institutions in providing social protection systems, including homegrown school feeding, and disaster preparedness and response.

To achieve these outcomes, WFP will shift to upstream activities focused on the generation of evidence, advocacy and support for policy reform, enhancement of national systems in order to facilitate scale up of sustainable assistance, facilitation of better knowledge management and information exchange, and strengthening of capacities at the institutional and individual levels.

Nutrition-sensitive and gender-transformative approaches will be integrated into all activities. Tailored nutrition messaging will be incorporated into shock-responsive social assistance programmes, which will be triggered as needed. Gender equality and women’s empowerment will be pursued in order to address gender inequality as one of the root causes of food and nutrition insecurity. WFP will respect and advance environmental and social safeguards and prioritize protection of and accountability to affected people, especially the most vulnerable, including young children, adolescents, women and persons with disabilities.

WFP has been viewed as a valued partner in Zambia for many decades. In recent years it has driven innovation and positive change in the areas of disaster risk management, smallholder support, school feeding and social protection. In this country strategic plan, the broad focus is on the strengthening of capacities and systems in order to enable the Government to address the systemic challenges that are barriers to the achievement of zero hunger. Sustainability is therefore both an end goal and an essential element of WFP’s exit strategy.

Through the country strategic plan, WFP articulates its changing role in Zambia, setting the course towards zero hunger and focusing its efforts on the strengthening of systems and capacities and the provision of support for programmes and coordination in pursuit of its vision of a food-secure Zambia by 2030 with well-resourced, well-coordinated and nationally owned food and nutrition security systems and programmes.

Related Content

Zambia + 3 more

Zambia Annual Country Report 2023 - Country Strategic Plan 2023 - 2028

Zambia annual country report 2023 - country strategic plan 2019 - 2023, zambia country strategic plan (2023–2028), namibia annual country report 2022 - country strategic plan 2017 - 2023.

The World Bank in Zambia

The World Bank has partnered with Zambia since 1955 to support the country's development projects, including mining, infrastructure and health.

Zambia is a large, landlocked, resource-rich country with sparsely populated land in the center of Southern Africa. It shares its border with eight countries (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) that expands its regional market for goods and services.

Zambia is experiencing a large demographic shift and is one of the world’s youngest countries by median age. Its population, much of it urban, is estimated at about 19.6 million (2021), with a rapid growth rate of 2.7% per year, reflecting the relatively high fertility rate. As the large youth population attains reproductive age, the population is anticipated to double in the next 25 years, resulting in additional pressure on the demand for jobs, health care, and other social services.

Macroeconomic Developments and Outlook

Despite protracted debt restructuring, Zambia’s economy is recovering from the multiple and compounding crises. Real GDP grew at an average rate of 5.7% in 2021-23, primarily driven by growth in transport, information and communications, finance and insurance, and a rebound in hospitality and education. However, the current account narrowed and slipped into deficit in 2023 due to a contraction in copper production and exports for three consecutive years, significantly reducing foreign currency earnings. Combined with the uncertainty in finalizing Zambia’s debt restructuring, this put pressure on the exchange rate, leading to 41.8% depreciation in 2023. At the same, the depreciation fueled inflation to rise way above the Bank of Zambia's 6–8% target range, despite monetary restraint and fiscal prudence.

Progress on debt restructuring, including a recent agreement in principle with bondholders accepted by official creditors and the IMF, is paving the way for exchange rate stability, which is expected to bolster macroeconomic stability and reduce inflation. In 2024, a cholera epidemic and severe drought that has adversely impacted agriculture and food production, electricity availability, and water supply will dampen growth. However, an expected upturn in mining driven by foreign direct investment inflows into critical green energy transition minerals, if realized, may offset some of the losses.  

Zambia ranks among the countries with the highest levels of poverty and inequality globally. Poverty reached 60% of the population in 2022, up from 54.4% in 2015, worsened by limited job creation and declining labor earnings. The urban population recorded the highest reversal, with an 8.5 percentage point increase in poverty incidence reaching 31.9% in 2022. The spike is undoubtedly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing debt crisis. However, the growth deceleration that preceded the crises was already manifesting in weakening labor market indicators such as formal employment and earnings. Meanwhile, rural poverty remained widespread and stagnant, surpassing 75% since 2010. Rural/urban disparities in access to essential services remain stark, hindering human capital development and labor productivity.

Political Context

Zambia gained its independence in 1964 under the leadership of first President Kenneth Kaunda.  The nation is considered a stable country with successful democratic elections held every five years. After many years of a one-party state, Zambia became a multi-party state in 1991.

Zambia’s democracy is evident by the nine Presidential elections and four different political parties that have so far ruled the country. Among them are the United National Independence Party (UNIP 1964-1991), Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD 1996-2011), Patriotic Front (PF2011-2021), and currently the United Party for National Development (UPND). The current President, Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND, was elected in August 2021 after defeating then-incumbent President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front. The next presidential elections in Zambia will be held on August 12, 2026. 

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2024

World Bank Country Partnership Strategy for Zambia

The World Bank Zambia Country Partnership Framework (CPF) FY19-23 supports the government in achieving its development goals and is closely aligned with the government’s  National Development Plan  and  Vision 2030 . The World Bank Group has initiated the preparation of a Performance and Learning Review (PLR) to assess progress in implementing the CPF program and introduce necessary changes and course corrections.

The CPF is underpinned by the  Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) , conducted in 2017 to augment the World Bank’s understanding of the mechanism needed for poverty reduction in Zambia. 

The CPF focus areas are: 

• Increase opportunities and jobs for the rural poor 
• Increase public services and social protection to build a healthy and skillful workforce 
• Build resilient institutions 

Zambia ranks among the countries with the highest levels of poverty and inequality globally. More than 58% (2015) of Zambia’s 19.5 million people earn less than the international poverty line of $1.90 per day (compared to 41% across Sub-Saharan Africa), and three quarters of the poor live in rural areas-

The current World Bank portfolio in Zambia comprises 26 projects, with a total commitment of $3.24 billion. Of these, 20 projects are national operations that total $2.7 billion and six are regional operations at $0.54 billion. The portfolio covers the following sectors: Agriculture, Education, Environment, Governance, Health, Macroeconomics, Social Protection, Transport, and Water.

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

IFC’s current portfolio currently stands at $213 million, covering agribusiness, energy, retail and tourism property, and the telecoms sectors.

IFC’s approach for Zambia is in line with the Joint WBG strategy, as it promotes sustainable private sector development by improving the investment climate, supporting SMEs, and proactively engaging in developing key sectors such as infrastructure, agribusiness, and financial services. Along the agriculture value chain, IFC is providing support to commercial agribusiness operations which support smallholder farmers along their value chains and contribute to national food security. In infrastructure, the focus has been on energy, including renewable energy through the scaling solar initiative and other planned IPP projects.

In the financial sector, IFC provides financing facilities to financial institutions providing support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) especially women-owned, and advisory support with the aim of improving the credit infrastructure and increasing access to finance for SMEs by promoting the use of movable collateral and establishing credit reporting programs that support credit reference systems .

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)

MIGA also is providing support for Zambia’s development. MIGA guarantees in Zambia stands at $139 million, covering projects in agribusiness, manufacturing, financial and energy sectors. These guarantees are expected to improve agriculture productivity, boost job creation, deepen financial inclusion, and increase access to cleaner energy. In addition, the country is expected to benefit from MIGA’s guarantee of approximately EUR 359 million to cover Standard Chartered Bank (and other lenders) for their non-shareholder loan investments in the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB).

Regional Trade Facilitation

Zambia has committed to implementing policy reforms to enhance regional trade. The country is part of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bodies that promote regional trade. Overall, Zambia has performed well in all dimensions of the regional integration index, ranking second in COMESA and fourth in the SADC region. 

The World Bank’s Response to COVID-19 in Zambia

Zambia’s location in Southern Africa — it is surrounded by eight countries — increases the risk of imported diseases from neighboring countries and beyond. This is because Zambia is a major trucking route for goods, both for import and export, as well as a destination and transit point for labor migrants, asylum seekers, illegal migrants, and victims of human trafficking in the region. 

The Bank provided $25 million to support Zambia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of this amount, $20 million came from the Crisis Response Window  resources, while $5 million was a grant from the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF). The funds are channeled through the  Zambia COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project . 

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout 

The World Bank has successfully contributed to Zambia’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts by providing  additional financing  in the amount of $24 million ($14 million  IDA  credit co-financed with a $10 million grant from GFF). The financing is enabling affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and helping ensure effective vaccine deployment in Zambia, including supporting strengthening the vaccination system in the country. Further, the grant is supporting strengthening the capacity for maintaining essential health services focusing on reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health and nutrition services.

The Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP), is a flagship project that aims to deliver on the Jobs & Economic Transformation agenda. This$40 million (2016-2024) initiative pivots on mainstreaming private sector led growth model whereby Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and smallholder farmers of Zambia are rendered competitive through improved access to markets and finance. The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry is the main implementing entity.

The project provides a combination of grant financing and Business Development Services to facilitate the evolution of productive partnerships between farmers and commercial off-takers/buyers. This promotes sustainable integration of small holders and agribusiness SMEs into value chains with established end-markets.

The project has so far supported 98,000 beneficiaries directly, plus 600,000 members through aggregator models. 180 productive alliance subprojects have received grant financing and are receiving support on a one-one basis through coaching, training, and mentorship. As a result of this support, nearly 57% of Producer Organizations have been able to meet their commercialization agreements with commercial buyers and have demonstrated a 48% increase in average gross sales. As of 2022, the project mobilized $7.09 million of private capital (18% of total project funding) and is significant in a fiscally constrained context like Zambia. The project provided over 2,300 trainings to 271 high-growth agribusiness SMEs, covering food safety, manufacturing, good agricultural practices, financial management, marketing, packaging, and distribution, and resulting in an increase in sales and creating employment.

The  Africa CDC Regional Investment Financing Project   in the amount of the$90 million IDA credit aims to strengthen public health and response systems in Zambia as well as the Southern Africa subregion to improve national and regional health security. The support is part of the regional support to Africa CDC to strengthen continental and regional infectious disease detection and response systems on the African continent. The project was approved on December 10, 2019. 

The  Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) Project  has provided support of $342.5 million over the period 2016-2024 ($312 million IDA, and $30.5 million trust fund grants from FCDO, SIDA, and Irish Aid). GEWEL is a "cash plus" intervention whereby productive inclusion, and women’s and girls’ empowerment components are layered over the social safety net, and is  complemented by the Scaling Up Shock Responsive Social Protection (SSRSP) Project  that has provided support of $176.7 million over the period of 2022-2023 ($155 million IDA, and $21.7 million trust fund grants from FCDO, SDC, Irish Aid, and German Development Bank through KfW). A photobook   A Hand-up, not a Hand-out  showcases  GEWEL project beneficiary voices and stories  that bring to life the results of the project.

The project has so far benefited nearly 140,000 with a package consisting of life and business skills training, and a productive grant of $225 to women through the Supporting Women’s Livelihoods Project (SWL). A recent impact evaluation revealed that the SWL interventions increased overall consumption by 38%, household income by 62%, business profits by 80%, and savings by 234%.

Through the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) component, over 155,000 girls from the poorest households have benefited with bursaries to cover the cost of basic school needs such as uniforms, shoes, and books.

GEWEL also provides direct financing to Zambia’s Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program, allowing more timely and predictable payments to beneficiaries, and a scale up to support a little over 1.31 million SCT households (nearly 39% of the population and 82% of the extreme poor), one of the best safety net coverages in the region with strong pro-poor elements. It has been assessed that expansion of the caseload and increase in the transfer value are estimated to have reduced poverty by six percentage points in 2021. The SCT has also been successfully utilized through the SSRSP to strengthen shock responsive social protection systems and respond to climate and other shocks, namely to COVID-19 in 2020 and drought in 2022, as well as price shock and food security in 2023-2024.

The  Southern Africa Tuberculosis and Health System Support Project  is a regional center for occupational lung diseases established in Zambia’s copper belt to serve the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. The project has supported laboratories compliance with regionally harmonized standard operating procedures for surveillance of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB), case notification increasing from 20 (2016) to 48 (2021). TB case notification in target geographic areas increased from 27,700 per year to 29,700 per year (2021).

The World Bank is supporting the Zambian Government on electricity access initiatives and continues to invest heavily to improve access. 

• Between 2009 and 2015, the Bank financed the connection of approximately 91,000 households — benefiting almost 500,000 people. 
• Through the  Electricity Access Project the Bank is supporting subsidizing the cost of connection to the grid for 22,000 low-income households and about 1,000 Small Enterprises in rural areas. 
• Last mile connections to over 50,000 rural households and over 6,000 SMEs (over 260,000 beneficiaries).
• Ongoing construction or rehabilitation of 550 km of distribution lines to support last mile connections.
• Geospatial Master Plan developed.

Climate Resilience

The  Strengthening Climate Resilience Project  has provided support in strengthening Zambia’s institutional framework for climate resilience and improve the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities in the Barotse sub-basin. Specifically, the project has supported: 

• Thirty-four secondary and tertiary canals have been rehabilitated, providing additional land to more than 2,000 households to grow crops such as rice, winter maize, vegetables, sweet potatoes, cassava, sorghum, and millet 
• In Mbeta Island of Sioma district, a natural lagoon is helping 66 vulnerable households (57 female-headed) to integrate fish farming, thus diversifying their sources of livelihood, and promoting the use of a hitherto untapped resource.  
• For sustainability, a National Standard Norms and Procedures Manual for the operation and maintenance of the canals has been developed.  

The Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development in Zambia (TRALARD) is supporting the government to improve natural resource management in selected districts to support sustainable livelihoods, and in the event of an eligible crisis or emergency, to provide immediate and effective response to the eligible crisis or emergency. TRALARD is supporting several investments aimed at helping vulnerable communities overcome climate change impacts and build their resilience to ensure increased food security and livelihood and income generating activities. About 562,500 people are estimated to benefit from TRALARD project, and at least 50% of beneficiaries are expected to be female-headed households.  So far, the project has supported a total of 23,986 households have been supported with alternative livelihoods investments (against a target of 27,839 by 2025), of these, 6, 881 are female headed.

Last Updated: Jun 03, 2024

The African Development Bank, European Union, United Nations agencies, and governments of Germany, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States are among the partners of the World Bank.

The World Bank Group’s strategy adheres to the principles agreed with other partners supporting Zambia's development efforts, as articulated in the Joint Assistance Strategy for Zambia (JASZ) and comprises highly selective targeted interventions that maximize the impact of the government’s development efforts.

The World Bank Group

World Bank support to Zambia commenced in 1955, well before it attained its independence in 1964.

IFC has a resident representative in the Lusaka Country Office 

Zambia Project Profiles (PDF)

History of the Bank's work in Zambia

• COVID-19, Poverty, and Social Safety Net Response in Zambia (English)
• Show Less -

Zambia: Commitments by Fiscal Year (in millions of dollars)*

Improving natural resource management to enhance resilience of communities in zambia, around the bank group.

Find out what the Bank Group's branches are doing in Zambia.

STAY CONNECTED

Africa’s Pulse

Short term economic prospects for the continent, its current development challenges.

CPIA Africa

The 2024 Africa Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) report covers the period January to December 2023. In 2023, the average CPIA score for IDA-eligible countries in Sub-Saharan Africa remained broadly like ...

IDA Impact in Africa

With IDA’s help, hundreds of millions of people have escaped poverty—through the creation of jobs, access to clean water, schools, roads, nutrition, electricity, and more.

World Bank Africa Multimedia

Watch, listen and click through the latest videos, podcasts and slideshows highlighting the World Bank’s work in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Additional Resources

• December 2017
• December 2016

Country Office Contacts

This site uses cookies to optimize functionality and give you the best possible experience. If you continue to navigate this website beyond this page, cookies will be placed on your browser. To learn more about cookies, click here .