“The government of Zambia has put in place deliberate and supportive policies aimed at attracting investors in all sectors of the economy,” said Francis Chipimo, acting assistant director, Economics Department, Bank of Zambia. He was speaking at a conference on ‘Doing business in Zambia’ held at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town recently.

Chipimo also mentioned that the economic growth rate in Zambia had averaged about 5% over the past seven years. Foreign direct investment had also been on an upward trend improving from US$ 121.7 million in 2000 to US$ 811 million in 2007.

Zambia’s strengths as an investment destination are further enhanced by:
- It’s strategic location, as it surrounded by 8 neighbouring countries;
- A growing population and access to a potential population 170 million in the neighbouring countries;
- Relatively high and growing literacy levels (81% of the population is literate);
- Abundant natural resources (land and water reserves);
- Abundant minerals (copper, zinc, lead, coal, gold, silver, uranium).

Investment opportunities abound in various sectors of the Zambian economy - particularly in agriculture, tourism, aquaculture, mining and processing of minerals, banking (an estimated 70% of the population is unbanked), construction and infrastructural developments and energy (notably the construction of hydro-electric power projects).

The seminar was organised by LiLard Consultants and the Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.