ZEMA Approves $834 Million in Projects to Drive Green Economic Transformation
The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has approved 259 development projects worth over $834 million, reaffirming the country’s commitment to environmentally responsible economic growth.
The approvals were granted during the April and May 2025 sessions of the Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) of ZEMA’s Board of Directors.
The greenlit projects span several strategic sectors: 138 in mining and mineral processing, 43 in energy, 39 in infrastructure, and 31 in manufacturing and processing—representing a major step toward sustainable industrialization in Zambia.
A flagship development among the approvals is the $140 million ultra-modern border post at Kasumbalesa in Chililabombwe District.
The facility aims to reduce congestion, enhance trade efficiency, and bolster economic relations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In renewable energy, ZEMA approved a $61 million, 200MW solar power plant by Swarna Solar Limited in Serenje District, contributing to Zambia’s growing portfolio of clean energy initiatives.
Public health and agriculture will also benefit from a $19 million viral vaccine production facility at the Central Veterinary Research Institute in Balmoral, Lusaka.
The plant is expected to enhance livestock disease prevention and strengthen national biosecurity systems.
ZEMA Board Chairperson Professor Lovejoy Malambo emphasized the agency’s dual mandate of promoting development while protecting the environment.
“Our mandate remains clear—facilitating national development while safeguarding our natural heritage through rigorous environmental assessments and regulatory compliance,” he stated.
The approvals mark a key milestone in Zambia’s pursuit of economic diversification and environmental sustainability, positioning the country as a regional leader in green growth.
