By John Chola

In a bid to accelerate its economic transformation, the Zambian government has issued a direct and compelling invitation to global investors, positioning Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as the cornerstone of a major national infrastructure overhaul.

The call to action specifically targets the country’s dilapidated but critically important road network, a key artery for regional trade, alongside energy and mining projects.

The announcement was made by Zambia’s Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP, at the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) Pre-Budget Capital Markets Meeting.

He framed PPPs as the central vehicle for unlocking Zambia’s growth potential, leveraging private capital to bridge significant infrastructure gaps.

A Compelling Investment Case

Minister Musokotwane outlined a powerful trifecta of reasons drawing investor attention to Zambia:

· World-Leading Market Performance: LuSE was recently crowned the best-performing stock exchange globally in August 2025, signaling surging investor confidence and appetite.

· Renewed Macroeconomic Stability: Successful debt restructuring and ongoing fiscal consolidation have created a stable and predictable environment for long-term capital commitments.

· Unwavering Government Backing: The PPP drive is underpinned by a robust Capital Markets Master Plan (CMMP) and a clear policy directive designed to de-risk projects and safeguard investor returns.

Priority Projects: Fixing the Arteries of Trade

While opportunities span multiple sectors, the government’s pipeline highlights an urgent need to address infrastructure, particularly roads.
Many of Zambia’s key highways are in a deplorable state, hampering not only domestic commerce but also the flow of goods to landlocked neighboring nations in Southern, Northern and Central Africa that depend on these transit routes.

The government has identified several high-priority road and bridge projects ripe for PPP financing, awaiting financial closure.

These include:

· The Solwezi–Kipushi and Lumwana–Kambimba roads, crucial for servicing the Northwestern mining belt.

· The Katete–Chanida road, a vital link to Mozambique.

· The Mutanda–Kaoma road, improving connectivity within Western Province.

· Key upgrades at the Chirundu Border, one of the busiest inland ports in Southern Africa, facilitating trade with Zimbabwe and beyond.

· The transformative Lusaka Ring Road, a commercially viable project designed to decongest the capital and stimulate urban growth.

Beyond Infrastructure: Energy and Mining Boom

The PPP opportunities extend well beyond transport:

· Energy Transition: With rising domestic demand for electricity, Zambia is prioritizing renewable energy PPPs, particularly in solar and green power generation, to ensure energy security and sustainability.

Energy Transition: With rising domestic demand for electricity, Zambia is prioritizing renewable energy PPPs, particularly in solar and green power generation, to ensure energy security and sustainability.

· Mining & Industrial Ventures: Drawing inspiration from successful models like Chile’s, Zambia is actively opening its prolific mining sector to joint ventures and local-foreign partnerships to ensure shared value creation.

A Direct Pledge to the Global Investment Community

In a statement aimed directly at allocators of capital, Dr. Musokotwane pledged to facilitate quarterly investor-government engagement platforms focused on specific projects.

“Money is never a problem where there are good ideas,” the Minister stated. “The PPP model is Zambia’s pathway to faster growth, job creation, and industrial transformation. We invite both local and global investors to be bold, innovative, and seize these opportunities to participate in shaping Zambia’s future.”

The government’s strategy is clear: to leverage PPPs as a catalyst for building a resilient, inclusive economy by attracting private investment into nationally critical projects, sharing both risks and rewards in a transparent, investor-friendly framework.