The “Zambia Development Agency” (ZDA) is in charge of the promotion of foreign investment. The ZDA Act provides that foreigners are allowed to invest in any economic sector with some exceptions (armaments, harmful or dangerous substances, coin-minting and issuing of sensitive documents).
If an investor brings in capital of no less than USD $500,000 in a priority sector, he is entitled to exemption from customs duties on the import of necessary machinery and equipment (specialized trucks and vehicles included). For investments exceeding $250,000, protection against nationalization and concessions for work permits, secondary licenses, purchase of land and utilities is provided.
The Zambian government promotes the development of multisectoral economic zones (MFEEs). There are currently six such facilities in Chambishi, Lusaka East, Lusaka South, Lumwana, Ndola (Sub-Saharan gemstones exchange), and the Industrial Park of the Rome area (in Lusaka).
Useful links:
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Limited is a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) charged with the mandate to spearhead the Zambian Government’s commercial investments agenda aimed at strengthening Zambia’s industrial base and job creation.
Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo Confindustria international division that supports Italian companies wishing to branch out in Africa.
Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE)
The ICE Office responsible for Zambia is that of Johannesburg, South Africa.
ICE Johannesburg Office (RSA)
42 Chester Road, Parkwood,
2193 P.O. Box 1261 Parklands 2121
Tel.: +27.011.880.8383
Fax: +27.011.880.9040/1
E-mail: johannesburg@ice.it
Network of branches for internationalization
www.Infomercatiesteri.it is a free platform designed and created by the General Directorate for the Promotion of the Country System of the MAECI. Its objective is to answer national economic operators’ requests for information on foreign markets (only in Italian)
Made in Italy showcase Amazon and the ICE Agency support Italian companies by promoting Italian entrepreneurship and sales abroad. (only in Italian)
SACE S.p.A. Export credit insurance company with share capital subscribed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, SACE:
– takes on insurance and reinsurance for political, economic and commercial risks to which Italian operators are exposed in their international transactions;
– supports exports of small and medium-sized Italian companies by facilitating access to insurance guarantees through strategies based on the possibility for companies to choose the kind of relationship they wish to establish with SACE.
SIMEST S.p.A. A company controlled by the Italian government (which holds a 76% stake) and participation by banks, enterprises, business and trade associations, SIMEST:
– promotes and supports the activities abroad of all Italian companies, particularly small and medium-sized ones, including trade, crafts and tourism, as well as cooperatives, consortia and other economic bodies, through two main channels of activity: support for trade and support for investments abroad;
– provides assistance and advisory services for all stages of the start-up and implementation of investments abroad;
– provides financial support for investments of Italian enterprises abroad through the management of direct incentives and facilities;
ASSOCAMERESTERO Association that represents the needs and service potential of Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad (ICCAs) and seeks collaborations and strategic alliances with public and private entities and institutions – both Italian and international – to foster awareness and use of the ICCA network; (only in Italian)
UNIONCAMERE Union that looks after and represents the general interests of Chambers of Commerce, a reference point for productive sectors, both locally, nationally and internationally; (only in Italian)
EXTENDER Information system promoted in the framework of an agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Union of Italian Chambers of Commerce and the Association of Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad, for the call of tenders and major projects (only in Italian)
CONFINDUSTRIA Representative organization of manufacturing and service enterprises in Italy which contributes, together with political institutions and national and international economic, social and cultural organizations, to the economic growth and social progress of the country;
CONFAPI Italian Confederation of Small and Medium Industry (only in Italian)
CONFCOMMERCIO Italian General Confederation of Commerce, Tourism, Services and SMEs. It sets community policies for the sector, working with the European Union (only in Italian)
CONFARTIGIANATO Information and representative organization for craft enterprises that supports the development of new businesses through training, information on national and local opportunities and facilities
CNA National Confederation of Handicrafts and Small and Medium Enterprises. An organization representing handicraft enterprises that formulates strategies for the sector and provides an information service on opportunities, programs and calls for tenders proposed by the European Union (only in Italian)
CONFAGRICOLTURA Italian agricultural Confederation that promotes, assists and coordinates economic activities for individual products or production sectors;
Promotional initiatives
Agritech Expo https://agritech-expo.com/
Agritech Expo is one of the leading outdoor agriculture input and machinery exhibition and trade fair. Next year’s edition is to be held in Chisamba, April 10-12. ICE is currently in the process of setting up a Pavilion for Italian companies to showcase the expertise and excellence of Made in Italy products. The three-day event is expected to attract as many as 18,000 participants and over 150 local and international exhibitors. Attendants comprise farmers, government representatives, professionals and agriculture experts.
Italy-Africa Business to Business Dialogue
An inaugural business to business dialogue was held in Rome on May 8, 2024, to discuss opportunities for collaboration and partnership between Italian and African countries including Zambia. Discussions were centred around four key sectors, energy and digital transition, agribusiness, manufacturing and sustainable mobility.