Last updated : May 5, 2014

Banks

Structure of the banking industry as at end 2005: The Bank of Zambia and 13 commercial banks. 8 foreign owned, 4 owned by local private investors, 1 by the Zambian Government, and 1 jointly owned by the Zambian Government and the Indian Government.

Non-Banks

Non-bank Financial Instituions as at end 2005: 9 leasing companies, 3 building societies, 1 development bank, 1 savings and credit bank, 32 bureaux de change and 3 micro-finance instituions. Regulated and supervised by the Bank of Zambia under the Banking and Financial Services Act of 200.

Capital Market

Stock exchange: Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE)

Investment Opportunities

Zambia is richly endowed with natural and agro-mineral resource base, which present significant investment potential and opportunities. Vast expanses of rich undeveloped land and natural habitat with free-flowing and easily accessible water provide extensive potential for tourism investment and agriculture production. All this is complimented with a ready supply of quality labor force at competitive rates and a stable political environment.

Agriculture Sector

Enormous potential to become a major grower and exporter of agricultural and horticultural produce. An abundance of quality land, water and ideal climate all suited to an amazing range of agricultural products. Only 15% of the 60 million hectares of arable land is under cultivation.

Manufacturing Sector

Opportunities for further diversification exist, particularly in agro-processing, wood and leather products. Profitable avenues are also abounding in food processing and textile production and mineral products. To help realise this potential Government established a Duty Drawback Scheme (DDS) under which manufacturers producing export goods are entitled to claim a refund for duty paid on raw materials used in the production process. The Government is in the process of implementing a new initiative called the Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) which will focus on special industrial zones for both export and domestic oriented industries.

Tourism Sector

Untapped tourism opportunities exist in all the 19 National Parks and 34 game management areas as well as the 23 million hectares devoted to the conservation of an amazing variety of animals. Major attractions include the Victoria Falls (one of the seven natural wonders of the world), the Kariba Lake (the largest man-made lake in the world), the Kalambo falls (one of the deepest falls in the world), Lake Tanganyika (the deepest lake in Africa). Specific areas of investment in this sector include:

• Game ranching;
• Provision of accommodation (i.e. high quality five and four star hotels, Lodges and Camp sites near the popular tourist areas);
• Transport service - Investment potential exists in air charters in form of helicopters and/or small planes to service game areas;
• Adventure holiday packages;
• Organised tours;
• Out door sports facilities (golf courses and stadia); and
• Zambia’s cultural heritage.

Location

Southern Africa, east of Angola, between latitudes 8°S and 18°S and between 20°E and 35°E, landlocked with eight neighbours ( Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and Democratic Republic of Congo)

Area total: 752,614 sq Km Land: 740,724 sq km Water: 11,890 sq km

Population: 11,089,691(2005 estimate)

GDP per capita: K2,923,474 (equivalent to US$654.90)

Population Growth Rate: 2.11% (2006 estimate)

Birth Rate: 41 births/1,000 population (2006 estimate)

Death Rate: 19.93 deaths/1,000 population (2006 estimate)

Sex Ratio

At birth: 1.03 males/female Under 15 years: 1.01 males/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 males/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female

Infant Mortality Rate

Total: 95 deaths/1,000 live births

Life Expectancy at Birth

Total population: 50 years

Natinality

Noun: Zambian

Languages

English is the official language and is widely spoken. There are 73 dialects in Zambia, including Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja, Lozi, Luvale, Lunda. Literacy

Total population 55%

Major Religions

Christianity, Islam-Hindu and indigenous beliefs

Capital City and Weather

Lusaka (Altitude 1,277 meters above sea level) hotest month, October (18°C to 31°C); coldest, July (9°C to 23°C) and wettest, December (231 mm). In a normal year, the rainy season lasts frm October to April.

Climate: Tropical

Terrain: Mostly high plateau with few hills and mountains

Natural Resources

Copper, cobalt, gold, nickel, diamonds, coal, emeralds, uranium, water.

Land Use

Arable land: 60 million hectares. Only 15% of arable land is cultivated.

Major Tourist Attractions

Victoria Falls (one of the 7 natural wonders of the world); Kariba Dam (one of the largest man-made lake); Kalambo Falls (one of the deepest falls in the world); 19 National Parks and 34 game management areas as well as 23 million hectares devoted to the conservation of an amazing variety of wild animals and bird species. The country also holds a number of traditional ceremonies including the Kuomboka, Ncwala, Likumbi Lyamize, Shimunenga, Mutomboko.

Time: +2 hours of GMT

International Dialing Code: +260

Internet Domain: .zm

Measures: Metric system

Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMK) = 100 Ngwee

Data : not available