By 
Zambia’s main stock index has emerged as the world’s best performer in August, climbing 14.3 percent as the country benefits from a booming copper sector.
According to Bloomberg, the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) All Share Index is also leading global year-to-date gains, up nearly 56 percent in local currency terms.
When measured in U.S. dollars, the index had advanced 84 percent, second only to Ghana’s exchange.
A key driver of the rally had been Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Plc, which supplies electricity to mines in Africa’s second-largest copper producer.
Read more: LuSE turnover surges to K22.15 million amid rebound in trading activity
CEC shares have soared more than 75 percent this year, propelling the company’s market value above US$1 billion — a first for a Zambian-listed firm.
The company expects its first-half earnings per share to rise by 42 percent, it said in a statement on Thursday.
The stock market’s surge comes on the back of rising copper output.
Zambia’s copper production increased by 18 percent in the first half of 2025, reaching 439,644 metric tonnes.
Government is targeting a record one million tonnes of annual production next year, while copper prices have remained firm at around US$9,818 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange.
The rally has also supported Zambia’s currency.
The kwacha has appreciated by 19 percent against the U.S. dollar in 2025, making it one of the world’s strongest-performing currencies, as the country finalizes a long-delayed sovereign debt restructuring.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments