Overview
Zambia is a large landlocked, lower-middle-income country in the heart of Southern Africa. Its population is one of the world’s youngest with a median age of 17 and a rapid growth rate of 2.7% per year, reflecting the relatively high fertility rate. The population is anticipated to double in the next 25 years, resulting in additional pressure on the demand for jobs, health care, and other social services.
Zambia's economy is highly dependent on mining (70% of its export revenues come from copper) and a weather-dependent agricultural sector. Zambia experienced a difficult economic and debt situation, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but reached an agreement with creditors under the Common Framework in June 2023. Zambia is a peaceful beacon of stability and in the region, and is pursuing ambitious reform plans centred on human development, good governance, and economic diversification.
Our partnership
Zambia is for the EU a reliable and steady ally on regional and multilateral issues. The peaceful transition of power in August 2021 opened a promising chapter for deeper EU-Zambia relations. There are regular political exchanges at the highest level.
Our actions in the country focus on three priority areas, in line with the Global Gateway Strategy: building green partnerships for sustainable recovery, growth and jobs; supporting the people of Zambia to reach their potential and build resilience; and creating a fair, inclusive and peaceful society.
Team Europe in Zambia brings together the EU and the European Investment Bank, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, the French Development Agency (AFD), the German Development Bank (KfW), and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO). Together, we work to implement initiatives focused on human development and on inclusive green recovery and growth in Zambia.
The EU allocated an initial €299 million in grant funding towards the partnership in 2021-24, which was later increased by an additional €60 million recognising the country’s positive trajectory, and to further support the country’s much-needed reforms especially in the areas of health and education.
The EU and Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a Partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains. The country also participates in the Africa-Europe Digital Regulators Partnership.
EU-Zambia partnership programming documents can be found in the 'Related documents' section below.
Our flagship initiatives
- Transport
The EU is investing in the strategic economic transport corridors and supporting the country in improving road infrastructure and governance. We are partnering with Zambia on the following initiatives:
- Lobito Corridor: a feasibility study for a new rail line connecting the existing rail line fromAngola to Zambia is currently being conducted. In addition, a new rail line connecting Angola to Zambia (Luacano – Chingola) is being constructed. The railway line should provide enhanced trade capacity allowing the Zambian industry to increase their exports both regionally and globally.
- Great North Road Project: upgrade of the Zambian section of the Great North Road (T2) between Mpika and the border with Tanzania to lower transport cost along this key regional road corridor. The project aims to transform Zambia from a land-locked to a land-linked country and boost the country’s economic potential, while at the same time making the road safer and more resilient to climate change.
- Critical raw materials
Improving the sustainable management of geological resources and supporting investments in capacity building and training for local private sector actors to improve governance. Our efforts aim at:
- Implementing the EU-Zambia parntership on sustainable raw materials value chains.
- Geographical survey and mine mapping, including data treatment and quality control.
- Renewable energy
Supporting an improved production and access to green energy. We are partnering with Zambia on:
- Improving energy management and the introduction of smart metering in the Lusaka Central region.
- Investing in clean off-grid energy solutions for populations living in under-served and remote areas under the
- Complementing the flagship Kariba Dam Rehabilitation project with the construction of an interconnector project to allow Zambia to link its grid to its regional neighbours and enable the country to export excess electricity to the Eastern and southern Africa power pools.
- Agriculture, environment and forestry
Helping to build inclusive and sustainable agri-value chains, to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability and support Zambia’s smallholder farmers. Promoting the green transition and integrated approaches towards rural development through a sustainable management of natural resources and by supporting the diversification of the economy. The EU partners with Zambia on:
- Boosting the Agriculture Market Access Progamme in Zambia and fostering the transition towards sustainable food systems in Africa.
- Providing technical assistance to improve the overall daily operational efficiency of the Ministry of Agriculture Environment.
- Strengthening policies and legislation encouraging sustainable land use.
- Building climate resilience and green partnerships, improving the sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity conservation and improving the management of water.
- Creating a conducive environment for investing in circular business models by improving access to the necessary skills and providing access finance to businesses with circular business models.
- Health and education
Empowering Zambia’s youth and promoting reforms and investments in human development, namely in quality education, health and nutrition, rule of law and human rights, and reproductive health and maternal and childcare. Our actions aim at:
- Improve the infrastructure and curriculums of basic education facilities in Zambia, following the introduction of free education (Equal Chances for Human Development).
- Supporting the mobility of university students and staff with a view to increase employability and the quality of education in Zambia. In addition to the 434 mobilities and 8 scholarships which have been funded since 2021 (Erasmus+), the support also aims at enhancing the capacities of universities and VET providers.
- Improving access to innovative and life-saving commodities for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Africa.
- Governance
Supporting governance reforms to ensure improved economic and financial governance. Our efforts focus on:
- Partnership to enhance public finance management and accountability.
- Securing a robust framework against illicit financial flows in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Enabling access to justice, civil society participation, and transparency.