The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has enacted updated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations under Statutory Instrument No. 3 of 2026, replacing the outdated 1997 framework.

The new regulations, effective 9 January 2026, aim to modernize environmental governance, lower costs, and speed up assessment processes for projects across sectors.

Under the revised rules, review fees for Environmental and Social Project Briefs (ESPBs) and Environmental and Social Impact Statements (ESISs) are significantly reduced and are now based on a risk-based scale related to anticipated environmental and social impacts, rather than total project investment. For example, ESPB fees dropped from K17,300 to K5,300, and ESIS fees were cut from K1,300,000 to K600,000.

The updated framework also shortens review timelines, with ESPB assessments now completed within 20 calendar days (down from 45 working days) and ESIS reviews taking 30 calendar days instead of 60.

The regulations also introduce a more streamlined approach, including exemptions for low-impact projects and the formal integration of social impact assessments into the environmental review process, reinforcing Zambia’s commitment to sustainable development and investment-friendly administration.