Doing business in Zambia

Zambia's legal system is based on English common law, statute and the Constitution. Companies are registered under the Companies Act 2017 by the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), which also registers industrial property; the Zambia Development Agency promotes and licenses investment; the Zambia Revenue Authority collects taxes and customs; the Bank of Zambia regulates banks; and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission reviews mergers. Mining is licensed by the ministry responsible for mines.

Key facts

Corporate income tax

Standard rate 30% (as at July 2026)

VAT

Standard rate 16% (as at July 2026)

Main entity form

Private company limited by shares; registered foreign company

Foreign ownership

Generally permitted; investment licence optional for incentives

Currency and exchange control

Zambian kwacha; foreign currency regulations repealed in 2014; export proceeds must be received in Zambia within 90 days

New York Convention

Party since 2002

Social security

NAPSA 10% of earnings combined, each side capped at ZMW 1,861.80 a month (2026); NHIMA 1% each

This topic was written by AI from general knowledge and is being checked against official sources. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

2 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

Foreign investors usually incorporate a private company limited by shares or register a foreign company with PACRA.

Key facts

• Registration is online through PACRA.

  AI-written

• Beneficial ownership disclosure is required at registration and on changes.

  AI-written

Who handles this in ZambiaCorporate & Entity ServicesLegal & Contracting · Reagan Blankfein GatesGovernment & Regulatory Affairs

Statements not yet checked against a source are marked AI-written. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

2 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

Key facts

• Plan on a 30% corporate rate and 16% VAT for most businesses.

• Withholding tax of 20% applies to dividends, interest, royalties and management or consultancy fees paid abroad, and a reduced treaty rate needs advance clearance.

• Audit applies to publicly accountable entities and to companies with turnover of ZMW 20 million or more; smaller entities can use a simplified reporting standard.

Who handles this in ZambiaTax & International Structuring · Gerald ZimbaAccounting, Reporting & Statutory Compliance

Statements not yet checked against a source are marked AI-written. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

5 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

Key facts

• Budget for NAPSA and NHIMA employer contributions as well as PAYE administration.

Who handles this in ZambiaEmployment, Payroll & MobilityLegal & Contracting · Reagan Blankfein Gates

Statements not yet checked against a source are marked AI-written. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

3 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

Multi-facility economic zones offer incentives, and land is generally held on leasehold, with non-citizens able to acquire land only in limited circumstances.

Key facts

• Mining projects need mining rights from the ministry and must keep to licence conditions.

• Economic zones can reduce tax and duty costs for manufacturers and exporters.

  AI-written

Who handles this in ZambiaGovernment & Regulatory AffairsLegal & Contracting · Reagan Blankfein GatesTax & International Structuring · Gerald Zimba

Statements not yet checked against a source are marked AI-written. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

Zambia repealed its foreign currency regulations in 2014, so profits and capital can usually be repatriated through commercial banks, but export proceeds must be received in Zambia and are tracked by the Bank of Zambia. Banks are supervised by the Bank of Zambia and apply anti-money laundering checks reported to the Financial Intelligence Centre.

Key facts

• Foreign currency regulations were repealed in 2014, but exporters must bring export earnings into a Zambian bank account within 90 days of export.

• Price and settle domestic contracts in kwacha unless an exception clearly applies.

  AI-written

• Expect full KYC at account opening.

  AI-written

Who handles this in ZambiaPayments, Foreign Exchange & SettlementBanking & Capital AccessRisk, Compliance & Financial IntegrityFinance & Treasury

Statements not yet checked against a source are marked AI-written. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

Zambia trades within the COMESA and SADC free trade areas and is a party to the African Continental Free Trade Area. As a landlocked country it relies on regional transport corridors, and compulsory standards apply to many imported products.

Key facts

• Goods meeting COMESA or SADC origin rules can enter with reduced or no duty.

• Check whether imports fall under compulsory standards before shipment.

• Corridor choice affects cost and transit time, so compare routes.

  AI-written

• AfCFTA adds a route into wider African markets.

Who handles this in ZambiaTrade, Customs & Supply ChainGovernment & Regulatory Affairs

Statements not yet checked against a source are marked AI-written. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

2 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

Key facts

• Plan a transfer basis for cloud hosting and group sharing outside Zambia.

• Cyber legislation imposes duties on some service providers and critical infrastructure operators.

Who handles this in ZambiaTechnology, Data & CyberLegal & Contracting · Reagan Blankfein GatesRisk, Compliance & Financial Integrity

Statements not yet checked against a source are marked AI-written. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

PACRA registers trademarks, patents and industrial designs, while copyright is administered separately. Zambia belongs to the Paris Convention, the PCT, the Madrid Protocol and ARIPO.

Key facts

• Register trademarks with PACRA or designate Zambia through the Madrid Protocol.

  AI-written

• Patents can be pursued through PCT national phase or ARIPO.

• Copyright needs no registration, but keep evidence of ownership.

  AI-written

Who handles this in ZambiaIntellectual Property & Brand ProtectionLegal & Contracting · Reagan Blankfein Gates

This topic was written by AI from general knowledge and is being checked against official sources. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

2 statements on rates, thresholds or deadlines are held back until they are checked against an official source.

Takeovers of listed companies fall under the Securities and Exchange Commission, and insolvency is governed by the Corporate Insolvency Act 2017.

Key facts

• Business rescue under the Corporate Insolvency Act 2017 offers an alternative to winding up.

  AI-written

• Listed targets bring Securities and Exchange Commission rules into play.

  AI-written

Who handles this in ZambiaTransactions & Deals · Reagan Blankfein GatesLegal & Contracting · Reagan Blankfein GatesGovernment & Regulatory Affairs

This topic was written by AI from general knowledge and is being checked against official sources. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

The Anti-Corruption Act 2012 criminalises bribery and is enforced by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Anti-money laundering duties apply to banks and designated businesses, and whistle-blowers are protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010.

Key facts

• Apply anti-bribery controls to licensing, mining and procurement interactions.

  AI-written

• Designated businesses beyond banks carry anti-money laundering duties.

  AI-written

• Internal reporting procedures should reflect whistle-blower protections.

  AI-written

Who handles this in ZambiaRisk, Compliance & Financial IntegrityLegal & Contracting · Reagan Blankfein Gates

Statements not yet checked against a source are marked AI-written. Confirm anything you plan to rely on with a qualified local professional.

The High Court has a Commercial Division for business disputes, and arbitration is governed by the Arbitration Act 2000, based on the UNCITRAL Model Law. Zambia is a party to the New York Convention, and foreign judgments from designated countries can be registered.

Key facts

• Commercial disputes in court are heard in the High Court's Commercial Division.

  AI-written

• Arbitration under the Arbitration Act 2000 is common for cross-border contracts, and awards are enforceable under the New York Convention.

• Check whether the judgment country is designated for reciprocal enforcement.

  AI-written

• Investors may have treaty-based access to ICSID arbitration.

  AI-written

Who handles this in ZambiaDisputes & Resolution · Reagan Blankfein GatesLegal & Contracting · Reagan Blankfein Gates