Zambia Targets US$5 Billion in Investment Deals at December Conference
Zambia Targets US$5 Billion in Investment Commitments at Invest-Zambia Conference
Zambia is targeting more than US$5 billion in investment commitments at the second edition of the Invest-Zambia International Conference (IZIC), as the country seeks to attract new capital into key sectors of the economy.
Hosted by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), the three-day conference will be held from 9 to 11 December 2026 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract around 2,500 delegates, including 1,000 international participants, alongside 100 local and international exhibitors.
The conference will focus on converting investment opportunities into bankable projects, joint ventures and strategic partnerships.
ZDA said the event will place greater emphasis on structured deal-making, project readiness, business-to-business and government-to-business engagements, as well as follow-up support after the conference.
Priority sectors include mining and mineral beneficiation, energy, agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, infrastructure, ICT and the digital economy, financial services and tourism.
The US$5 billion target represents an increase from the US$3.4 billion in investment commitments recorded during the inaugural IZIC in 2025, reflecting the agency’s ambition to attract larger and more commercially viable projects.
ZDA Director General Albert Halwampa said the conference was intended to strengthen Zambia’s position as an investment destination by connecting investors with opportunities and facilitating partnerships that can translate into actual projects.
The investment drive comes as Zambia seeks to accelerate economic growth through increased private-sector participation, infrastructure development and expansion of productive capacity.
Mining and mineral beneficiation remain central to the country’s investment strategy, with Zambia targeting 3 million tonnes of annual copper production by 2031.
The government is also seeking investment in energy infrastructure to support industrial and mining expansion.
The conference will also provide a platform for investors to explore opportunities linked to Zambia’s growing role in regional trade and logistics, including the development of the Lobito Corridor and other transport infrastructure connecting the country to international markets.
ZDA said IZIC 2026 would build on the momentum generated by the inaugural conference while shifting from broad investment promotion towards more targeted, transaction-driven engagement.
The agency’s objective is not only to secure investment commitments, but to convert the pipeline of projects into actual investments, jobs, exports and long-term economic value for Zambia.
