Zambia Chamber of Commerce bemoans systemic inefficiencies in country’s tax framework

The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has raised concerns over systemic inefficiencies in the country’s tax framework, citing limited taxpayer education, outdated data systems, and frequent Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) technical downtimes.

ZACCI Research and Information Officer, Emmanuel Mumba, said these issues—combined with a large informal economy—continue to undermine tax compliance and reduce trust in public finance institutions.

He was speaking during the Revenue Collection Delivery Lab held in Lusaka from May 12 to 13, 2025, and convened by the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU).

Mumba emphasised that addressing structural bottlenecks in tax administration was key to broadening the formal tax base and enhancing domestic revenue mobilisation.

“The Lab served as a high-level policy dialogue platform, bringing together critical stakeholders including Permanent Secretaries, the ZRA Commissioner General, the Public-Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF), and representatives from think tanks, civil society, and the private sector,” he said.

He also presented ZACCI’s formalisation agenda, developed in collaboration with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), as a strategic approach to transitioning informal businesses into the formal economy.

Mumba said the initiative had helped improve productive capacity, tax buoyancy, and private sector-led transformation.

“ZACCI remains committed to supporting policies that promote formalisation and advance a fair, predictable, and inclusive tax environment conducive to private sector development,” he added.

He further stated that the key goals of the Delivery Lab included co-developing strategies to enhance both tax and non-tax revenue, curbing fiscal leakages, and improving the institutional and technical efficiency of tax administration.

Mumba said the outcomes of the Lab aligned with Zambia’s broader fiscal consolidation agenda anchored on sustainable public finance management and inclusive economic growth.

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