Zambia has officially launched the inaugural Invest Zambia International Conference (IZIC) 2025, marking a significant step in its ambition to position itself as one of Africa’s leading destinations for investment and entrepreneurship. Organised by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), the three-day conference is being held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka from July 16 to 18.
With nearly 2,000 delegates already confirmed, the event has drawn an influential mix of high-level government officials, multinational executives, international investors, diplomats, development finance institutions and emerging African entrepreneurs. The central aim of the conference is to unlock investment flows into Zambia’s key sectors, foster strategic partnerships and fast-track the country’s economic transformation agenda.
Speaking ahead of the opening, ZDA Director General Albert Halwampa applauded the commitment of President Hakainde Hichilema, whom he described as Zambia’s Chief Investment Officer, for championing investment-led development and positioning the country at the forefront of Africa’s growth narrative. Halwampa emphasised that the government’s leadership has played a pivotal role in attracting both regional and global interest in Zambia’s investment landscape.
The conference features more than 63 exhibitors showcasing investment-ready projects across pivotal sectors including energy, agriculture, mining, ICT, manufacturing, infrastructure and tourism. A strong focus has also been placed on digital innovation, climate-resilient solutions and value-added production, areas in which Zambia is actively encouraging entrepreneurship and cross-border investment.
Strategic partners for IZIC 2025 include a range of public and private institutions such as First Quantum Minerals, Barrick Lumwana, Wonderful Group of Companies, the Chinese Business Community, Cybastion, Euro Exim Bank, Zanaco, Standard Chartered Zambia, FNB and the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia. Their support has been instrumental in making the event a reality and in fostering a collaborative investment climate.
The conference aligns closely with Zambia’s broader economic strategy, which leverages its geographical position as a gateway between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) trade blocs. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offering increased market access, Zambia is well-positioned to serve as a key industrial and logistics hub for the region.
One of the distinctive elements of IZIC 2025 is its strong emphasis on African entrepreneurship. The ZDA and its partners have intentionally created space for local innovators, agripreneurs and digital startups to showcase their solutions and connect with international capital. From clean energy innovations to fintech platforms and agritech startups, the conference is designed to elevate African voices and catalyse homegrown business models.
“ZDA reiterates its commitment to making IZIC 2025 a transformative event one that highlights Zambia’s vast investment potential while enabling strategic partnerships, deal signings, and knowledge exchange,” said Kwali Mfuni ZDA Head of Communications and Public Relations.
Zambia’s fast-developing ecosystem in digital infrastructure, renewable energy and youth-led enterprise has become a beacon for investors seeking scalable opportunities with social and economic impact. The conference serves as a platform not only for capital investment but also for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and the formation of regional industrial alliances.
As Zambia welcomes its guests, the ZDA has reiterated its commitment to making the Invest Zambia International Conference a recurring platform for inclusive economic growth, enterprise development and investment diplomacy. By putting local entrepreneurship at the heart of its investment narrative, Zambia is redefining the future of African development anchored in shared prosperity, innovation and industrial resilience.
The conference will conclude with several high-level deal signings and a roadmap for continued engagement between the Zambian government, private sector actors and development partners. According to ZDA officials, the outcomes of IZIC 2025 are expected to extend well beyond the three days of deliberations, shaping policy frameworks and catalysing capital deployment across Zambia’s growth sectors in the months and years ahead.
