Re-elected President Hichilema's government is preparing the 2027 budget framework (approved by Cabinet on Sep 17, 2026) under the Grow Zambia agenda, with 2027 resources projected to rise 7.4%. Copper expansion (3 million tonnes by 2031), more power and logistics, and a new IMF programme are central.
What a Korean company can do now
Government · leader
President Hakainde Hichilema (re-elected Aug 2026, second term from Sep 2026)
Key national agenda
- Grow Zambia: jobs, single-digit inflation and exchange rate stability
- Copper output from about 890,000 tonnes (2025) to 3 million tonnes by 2031, with more local processing
- More power supply (at least 2,000 MW extra needed for copper growth) and better logistics
- Broader tax base and digital tax systems
- Seek a new IMF programme within 2026
- Regional transport corridors such as Lobito
Government programmes
2027 national budget and 2027-2029 medium-term framework
Approved by Cabinet Sep 17, 2026; 2027 resources up K18.7bn (7.4%), total resources of K333bn projected by 2029
TRACER corridor: Serenje-Mpika road (T2), about 237 km
World Bank financed works tender in two lots
Nakonde One Stop Border Post upgrade, Phase II
World Bank-funded trade facilitation project
MCC Zambia Compact Roads and Access ProjectCompact total US$491.75 million
Selecting a consultant for feasibility, design, ESIA and supervision of the T5 and D274/R185a roads
Lobito Corridor development
Agreement with Angola and the DRC to speed up corridor development
Business opportunities
PMO and project management consulting for road and border infrastructure
🔒 Why-now and buyers — analysis member ₩19,800/mo
Digital irrigation monitoring and water management system
🔒 Why-now and buyers — analysis member ₩19,800/mo
Open this week
Digital registration and production-reporting platform for small-scale and artisanal miners
Copper growth and tax-base expansion are joint goals.
Ministry of Mines, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
Spending efficiency and performance budgeting consulting for 2027
🔒 Why-now and buyers — analysis member ₩19,800/mo
Free members get a human-reviewed summary by email for up to 3 countries a month (sent within 24h). BUILD members get them all.
Tenders
- Digital monitoring and irrigation management system for the VPEC and NRDC · FAO · Deadline 2026-11-03
- Climate-resilient urban development and financing in selected municipalities · GIZ · Deadline 2026-11-18
- Upgrade of Nakonde One Stop Border Post, Phase II · Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) · Deadline 2026-11-23
- Consultant for the T5 and D274/R185a roads (feasibility, design, supervision) · MCA-Zambia II (MCC) · Deadline 2026-12-03
- Rehabilitation of about 237 km of the Serenje-Mpika road (T2) · Road Development Agency (RDA) · Deadline 2026-12-18
Korean support schemes
- KOICA scholarship programme (2026) · KOICA — 2026 KOICA scholars were recruited through Zambia's Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB).
- Korea-Africa AI Hub and K-AI Package · Ministry of Economy and Finance / AfDB — EDCF-linked AI, data centre and power projects for Africa, relevant to a power-short country.
- KOTRA Africa market entry support · KOTRA — Market research and buyer matching through the covering trade office (the office covering Zambia still needs confirming).
Official notices
Zambia Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP)
- 2026-10-06 Secretary to the Treasury urged prudent use of public funds in the 2027 budget (2027 resources seen up 7.4%)
- 2026-09-17 First Cabinet meeting of Hichilema's second term approved the 2027 budget and 2027-2029 frameworks
- 2026-09 Finance Minister Musokotwane reappointed
- Agreement with Angola and the DRC to accelerate the Lobito Corridor (undated)
Disaster · conflict · epidemic
Watch 2026-11-07
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Neighbour of DR Congo's Ebola (Bundibugyo) outbreak; WHO rates regional risk 'high' (assessment of 8/14)
