Chamber of commerce welcomes new Mukuni, Monze economic zones, describes them as game-changer for trade, industry

The Zambia Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry (ZACCI) has welcomed the declaration of Mukuni and Monze as Multi-Facility Economic Zones (MFEZs), describing the move as a milestone in advancing trade, commerce, and rural development.

Last week, Cabinet approved the establishment of the Mukuni MFEZ on 15,000 hectares of land under the Mukuni Development Trust in Kazungula, aimed at transforming the largely rural area into a commercial hub and curbing rural–urban migration.

In Monze, 200 hectares have been earmarked for an MFEZ to host modern manufacturing and industrial activities, including a feed processing plant, agricultural machinery assembly, solar panel production, a dried fruit factory, and a 50 MW solar farm.

ZACCI president, Anthony Kabaghe, said in response to a press query that the zones would provide platforms for agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing, tourism, and logistics—sectors critical to enhancing Zambia’s competitiveness.

“The Mukuni MFEZ, situated along the Kazungula corridor, is particularly strategic for cross-border trade, giving Zambian businesses easier access to regional markets under SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Kabaghe said.

He added that the Monze MFEZ, with its focus on value addition in agriculture and green energy, would deepen agro-industrial value chains, reduce import dependency, and promote export diversification.

On the commercial side, Kabaghe highlighted that incentives such as tax relief, streamlined licensing, and infrastructure development would lower the cost of doing business and attract both local and foreign investment.

He noted that industries emerging from the zones—ranging from solar panel assembly to dried fruit processing—would create jobs, expand supply chains, and foster technology transfer, offering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) opportunities to integrate into larger industrial ecosystems.

Equally important, Kabaghe said, was the deliberate shift to extend industrialisation to rural and semi-urban areas.

“By transforming Kazungula and Monze into thriving economic hubs, government is addressing rural–urban migration and ensuring communities outside major cities also benefit from industrialisation and modern infrastructure,” he said.

Kabaghe commended government for the initiative, stressing that private sector participation would be key to ensuring the zones deliver sustainable growth, create long-term jobs, and position Zambia as a competitive regional and global trade player.

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