• This was in comparison to156 investment ventures recorded during the same period in 2022.
• It represents an increase of 1,015.4 percent.
• 15, 525 jobs were recorded from the 173 investment ventures.

Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has disclosed that it registered 173 investment ventures in the first half of 2023 with an investment value of US$ 14.5 billion.

Addressing journalists during the half year media briefing, Agency Director General Albert Halwampa said this was in comparison to156 investment ventures recorded during the same period in 2022, with an investment of US$ 1.3 billion, representing an increase of 1,015.4 percent.

Mr. Halwampa revealed that 15, 525 jobs were recorded from the 173 investment ventures, compared to 11, 434 jobs from the 156 investment ventures recorded in the same period last year, reflecting a percentage increase of 35.8%.

“The main contributing sectors included Energy, Construction and Manufacturing with the highest investment in energy worth US$ 9.1 billion, followed by construction with US$654 million and manufacturing with US$345 million. I am glad to report that the Agency exceeded its target in both projected investments and projected jobs by 827.6% and 155% respectively,” Mr. Halwampa stated.

Mr. Halwampa also disclosed that the Agency monitored 128 Investment ventures in the period under review, recording actualised investment of US$ 879.4 million and 13, 680 jobs.

“The Agency undertakes monitoring and evaluation of enterprises as a way of ascertaining the level of project implementation and actualisation of investments. During the period under review, 128 Investment ventures were monitored recording actualised investment of US$ 879.4 million and 13, 680 jobs,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Halwampa revealed that Zambia’s total exports increased by 3.23 percent to US$ 6.06 billion from US$ 5.87 billion recorded in the first half of 2022.

He said of the total exports, US$4.22 billion were traditional exports and US$ 1.83 billion were Non-traditional (NTEs).

“NTEs increased by 14.37 percent from US$ 1.6 billion recorded in 2022 to US$ 1.83 billion recorded in 2023. The Agency facilitated market access for 220 exporters to potential buyers. 246 exporters were trained in export readiness, while 496 exporters were provided with trade information,” he added.

Mr. Halwampa attributed the Agency’s positive performance in the first half of 2023 to Good political leadership which he said continues to inspire investor confidence.

He said other factors included sustainability of macroeconomic fundamentals such as Inflation, debt, exchange rates, business reforms by government- Public Private Dialogue Form, Presidential Delivery Unit, and improved funding to the Agency.