Zambia

Republic of Zambia

Region: Southern Africa · ISO code: ZMB

Add to comparison

Economy

Nominal GDP

USD 27.3 billion

GDP per capita

USD 1,282

2021–2025 average

Currency

Name: Zambian kwacha
Замбийская квача
ISO code: ZMW
Rate against the US dollar: USD 1 = 19.65 ZMW
Rate against the rouble: 1 ZMW = 4.2529 RUB
Rate type: Cross rate via the Bank of Russia USD/RUB rate
Currency zone: National currency

Exchange rate as of 1 October 2026

Economic structure

GDP structure: 2021–2025 average Source: Based on World Bank data. Period: 2021–2025 average

Agriculture 3.1%
Industry 36.6%
Services 55.5%

Industries and programmes

Key industries: Copper and cobalt mining and processing, agriculture, hydropower, construction.
Government programmes: Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) 2022–2026

A target of increasing copper production to 3 million metric tons by 2031

Vision 2030

International trade

Exports of goods, 2021–2025

USD billion Source: World Bank / WTO, merchandise exports (TX.VAL.MRCH.CD.WT). Period: 2021–2025

Amount Index (2021 = 100)

Table

Exports of goods, 2021–2025: amount and index (2021 = 100)
Year	USD billion	index, 2021 = 100
2021	11.0	100.0
2022	11.6	105.5
2023	10.4	94.5
2024	11.3	102.7
2025	13.3	120.9

Imports of goods: USD 10.2 billion 2021–2025 averageSource: ITC. Period: 2021–2025 average
Exports of goods and services: USD 8.85 billion 2024Source: World Bank, national accounts. Period: 2024
Change in exports of goods, 2021–2025: +20.9%
Average annual rate of change in exports of goods, 2021–2025: +4.9%

Export specialisation

Main export products

share of exports of goods, %, 2024 Source: UN Comtrade, 2024; share of total merchandise exports, HS chapters (2-digit level). Period: 2024

copper67.3%
ores and concentrates4.2%
salt, sulfur, cement and mineral materials2.9%
mineral fuels, oil and gas2.7%
precious metals and stones (gold, diamonds)2.5%

Main export destinations

share of exports of goods, %, 2024 Source: UN Comtrade, 2024; share of total merchandise exports, HS chapters (2-digit level). Period: 2024

Switzerland42.5%
China20.8%
DR Congo10.7%
South Africa4.2%
United Arab Emirates3.5%

Investment areas

Copper and cobalt
Battery component manufacturing
Agribusiness
Hydropower and solar power
Logistics corridors

Agreements with Russia

Investment protection

There is no bilateral agreement with Russia on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments.

Absent
Double taxation

There is no double taxation agreement with Russia.

Absent
Visa requirements

Russian citizens holding ordinary passports require a visa.

Visa required
Peaceful nuclear energy
- Intergovernmental agreement (2016)
- contract for the establishment of a Center for Nuclear Science and Technology (2018)
Intergovernmental agreement

Other agreements

Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation (1967).

Incentives

Main regimes and incentives: ZDA Act: tax incentives for multi-facility economic zones (MFEZs) and priority sectors — exemption from tax on dividends, reduced corporate income tax rates, and customs duty exemptions for equipment.
Type of measure: Reduced tax rateDuty exemptionSpecial territorial regimes (SEZ)
Administering organisation: ZDA — Zambia Development Agency