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Finance and National Development Planning Minister, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, says Zambia has attracted investments worth US $1.4 billion from 20 companies in the manufacturing sector over the past four years, leading to the creation of thousands of jobs.
Unveiling the 2026 national budget to Parliament in Lusaka on Friday, Musokotwane said the manufacturing sector had been among the biggest drivers of foreign and domestic capital inflows, attracting over US $4 billion in total investments. Much of this growth, he explained, was linked to the development of multi-facility economic zones (MFEZs), which continue to serve as anchors of industrial expansion.
“Madam Speaker, as at end-2021, the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone had 17 operational companies with an investment portfolio of US $264 million and over 7,000 jobs,” he said, noting that industries in ceramics, steel, starch, milk processing, copper rods, electric cables, conductors, and pharmaceuticals had taken root in the zone.
The minister added that the Jiangxi Multi-Facility Economic Zone in Chibombo had also attracted more than US $128 million in investment, focused on battery recycling and copper cable manufacturing, which created several hundreds of jobs.
He further pointed to the ZCCZ Chambishi Multi-Facility Economic Zone in Kalulushi, the Kalumbila Town Multi-Facility Economic Zone in Kalumbila, and the Luano Industrial Park in Ndola, which together accounted for more than US $2.5 billion in investment.
In pursuit of further expansion, he said government had declared new economic zones including the Wonderful Group Industrial Park in Chilanga, Mukuni Multi-Facility Economic Zone in Kazungula, Monze Multi-Facility Economic Zone, and the Golden Baobab Multi-Facility Economic Zone in Kafue District. Combined, these sites are projected to attract US $3 billion in investment.
“Madam Speaker, I am happy to report that all essential machinery for the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles has been received and is now being installed in readiness for commencement of production,” Musokotwane announced.
He said the re-establishment of the factory would not only generate jobs but also provide cotton farmers with new market opportunities through outgrower schemes.
The minister argued that such investments were beginning to yield tangible benefits.
He cited the fertiliser subsector as the most dramatic example, with Zambia transforming from a net importer into a net exporter of the commodity in recent years.
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