The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) is targeting more than US$5 billion in investment and deals at the second edition of the Invest-Zambia International Conference (IZIC), scheduled for Lusaka this December. The ZDA aims to showcase various investment opportunities during this…

The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) is targeting more than US$5 billion in investment and deals at the second edition of the Invest-Zambia International Conference (IZIC), scheduled for Lusaka this December. The ZDA aims to showcase various investment opportunities during this event.

ZDA is hosting the three-day gathering from December 9 to 11. It expects more than 2,500 delegates, 50 speakers and 100 exhibitors.

The involvement of the ZDA is crucial for the success of these initiatives.

IZIC is the country’s flagship investment promotion platform. It brings together investors, government leaders, financiers, development partners and the private sector to identify opportunities and form strategic partnerships, including advancing key projects.

ZDA said the event aims to facilitate deals across various sectors of the economy, driving sustainable growth in trade and improving local livelihoods.

This year’s conference will run under the theme “Promoting investment and trade”, with a focus on unlocking new commercial opportunities. It builds on last year’s inaugural edition, which set up an engagement platform for local and international investors.

The target lands in a season of investment talk at the highest level. President Hakainde Hichilema received United Kingdom Trade Commissioner for Africa Alastair Long at State House, where Mr Long endorsed the Grow Zambia Agenda, the President’s economic blueprint aimed at generating US$65 billion in annual economic value.

Mr Long made a personal pledge to find investors for the programme.

“We want to do more to support you in your ambitions. I came with the message of support of what you are doing. My personal commitment is to go and find you the British investors to be part of this next chapter of your story,” he said.

The UK is a long-standing partner of Zambia, Mr Long said, with investment partnerships dating back to the 1990s. He said Britain committed US$1.5 billion under the Green Growth Compact, with support extending to sectors such as energy.

At the end of his four-day visit, Mr Long described Zambia as one of Africa’s most exciting investment destinations. He pointed to expanded power generation, a growing mining sector and rising agricultural productivity as proof that the country is turning ambition into action.

“It has ambitious plans for growth, abundant natural resources and a private sector ready to seize new opportunities,” he said.

Mr Hichilema told the visitor what Zambia wants in return, and said British investors already know the market.

“This country would like to see more investment in different sectors. Grow Zambia Agenda, we want to follow the path where we got investments years back and expand it. What we are asking for is of mutual benefit,” the President said.

He said Zambia has created a more predictable and investor-friendly business environment, and that British investment should move beyond traditional areas into renewable energy, agriculture and mining. The Head of State also thanked the UK for its support during the country’s debt restructuring process.

Infrastructure is part of the same push. Government is confident that the Lobito Corridor Development Project will contribute to the Grow Zambia Agenda by creating export-oriented value chains and providing a trade route to the Atlantic Ocean.

Ministry of Infrastructure and Urban Development permanent secretary Prof Albert Malama said the corridor is set to strengthen Zambia’s strategic geographical position and logistics capacity, in line with the goal of becoming a regional trade and logistics hub.

A World Bank Group regional practice director for infrastructure said the corridor will drive broad-based growth, prosperity and job creation, particularly in towns along the route. He said the bank is ready to back the agenda.

“We are very happy to partner with you on the right reforms, on the right investments and the right interlinks between sectors to make this kind of bigger economic vision work out for the people of Zambia,” he said.

The World Bank Group and the Zambian Government will host the second high-level Lobito Corridor co-ordination meeting in Lusaka on Monday and Tuesday. Senior officials from Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo will attend, together with development partners, and Mr Hichilema is expected to officiate.

The first meeting was convened in Luanda, Angola, in February 2026.The Lobito Corridor meeting opens on Monday. IZIC follows on December 9.