The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has recorded USD 3.9 Billion of projected investment in 2018 in various sectors of the economy.
The Agency has also facilitated export deals worth over US$109.5 Million in form of on spot sales and business deals that were clinched by the private sector at various export promotion platforms.
ZDA Acting Director General Cosam Ngoma says of the total projected investment, the energy sector recorded the highest valued at US$1.5 Billion, representing 39%, the manufacturing sector was second with US$708.4, representing 18% followed by the mining sector with US$241 Million, representing 6%.
Mr. Ngoma says of the total recorded projected investment, US$21.7 Million was investment in the various Multi Facility Economic Zones and Industrial Parks around the Country.
He says in the same vein, the Agency recorded projected employment of 20,709 jobs in 2018 compared to 24,660 in 2017 denoting a decrease of 19%.
Mr. Ngoma noted that the increased projected investment in the energy sector is a direct result of Government’s efforts in the promotion of increased investment in alternative sources of energy in addition to hydro power arising from power deficits faced by the Country in recent years which adversely affected the performance of the economy.
He says given the conducive business climate such as political and economic stability, ease of doing business and good governance, investment into the Country is projected to increase.
With the increased FDI inflows into the Country, Mr. Ngoma urged the local businesses to partner with foreign investors through joint ventures and business linkages to create wealth and jobs for the Zambian people.
“In terms of promoting non – traditional exports (NTEs), the Agency undertook several export promotion activities during the year 2018, and continued to make inroads into regional and international markets for Zambia’s non-traditional products. The total projected non-traditional exports is an expected US$2 Billion for the year 2018. Top NTEs markets for Zambia include, among others, DR Congo, South Africa, Zimbabwe and China,” he said.
“During these export promotion activities, the Agency facilitated export deals worth US$109.5 Million in form of on spot sales and business deals that were secured by the private sector at various export promotion platforms. Participating at various export promotion platforms gave Zambian exporters enhanced visibility and exposure in order to increase export sales of Zambian products into foreign markets.”

Mr. Ngoma says the ZDA assisted 1,529 MSMEs with business linkages which included market access support through backward and forward linkages to Large Enterprises such as supermarket chains and access to finance with various financial institutions across the country.
“Finally, the Agency supported 1,073 potential entrepreneurs including youth and women, with training in mindset transformation, in partnership with Barclays Africa Foundation and Voluntary Service Organization (VSO) which enabled them to generate business ideas and subsequently develop business plans and formalize their business enterprises,” he said.
The Zambia Development Agency is the Country’s premier Economic Development Implementation Institution with a mandate to promote trade and investment and facilitate set-up, growth and development of micro small and medium enterprises.

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