Zambia’s legal system is based on the English legal system. This is because Zambia is a former protectorate of Britain. The English Law (Extent of Application) Act includes, as part of Zambian written law, the principle of English common law and equity and automatically makes all statutes that were in force in England on or before 17 August 1911 applicable. This is also confirmed in the Constitution of Zambia Act No 2 of 2016 in its definition of written law.
The basic tenet of the Zambian legal system is the adversarial system of adjudication for civil proceedings. The jury system is not provided for under Zambian legislation. The Constitution of Zambia creates three arms of government, namely, the executive, legislature and the judiciary. Separate pieces of legislation provide for the establishment of the various courts, while the procedure for each court is promulgated by way of statutory instruments usually issued under the hand of the Chief Justice.
The cardinal pieces of legislation with respect to the constitution and jurisdiction of the courts are the Local Governments Act, the Small Claims Court Act, the Subordinates Court Act, the High Court Act, and the Supreme Court of Zambia Act. It is important to note that the Zambian constitution enjoys supremacy over all legislation, and the provisions of Article 20 of the Constitution of Zambia provide for the establishment of the courts.
The legal system also provides for a number of specialised tribunals which deal with appeals from particular regulatory institutions. These include the Tax Appeals Tribunal, Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, Lands Tribunal, Securities Exchange Tribunal, Ratings Tribunal and Mines Tribunal.
FDI in Zambia does not generally require review or approval. However, in order to access certain tax and non-tax incentives and to acquire land rights, the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) is the principal FDI administrative and regulatory institution. The scope of its jurisdiction, according to Section 5 of the Zambia Development Agency Act No 17 of 2022, is to further the economic development of Zambia by promoting efficiency, investment and competitiveness in business, and promoting exports from Zambia.
Certain sectors or industries impose certain ownership and transfer-of-licence restrictions, such as:
Zambia’s Mining Boom Powers Economic Rebound
Zambia’s 2025 economic outlook is firmly anchored in the recovery of global commodity markets and renewed domestic productivity. After grappling with drought conditions, electricity shortages and fiscal strain through 2023–2024, the country recorded an impressive 4.5% GDP growth in Q1 2025 up from 2.2% in the previous year. This rebound has been propelled by increased copper output, expanding agricultural investment, and sustained growth in the ICT and trade sectors.
Inflation slowed to 12.3% in September 2025, strengthening the kwacha and restoring investor confidence. Copper prices have remained stable at levels above USD8,000 per tonne, reaffirming Zambia’s mining sector as the backbone of its recovery. The renewed momentum has been reinforced by progress in sovereign debt restructuring and improved macroeconomic governance.
This revival is sparking a wave of M&A activity, cross-border financing, and public–private partnerships in mining logistics and infrastructure. A surge in joint ventures and offtake agreements illustrates heightened collaboration between government and international investors.
Zambia Redefines Minerals, Jobs and Local Content
The enactment of the Geological and Minerals Development Act, 2025, together with the commencement of the Minerals Regulation Commission Act (MRCA), marks the most significant overhaul of Zambia’s mining legal framework in a decade.
The Geological and Minerals Development Act introduces an Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Fund to formalise and support small operators, mandates local employment and procurement quotas, and strengthens environmental and social accountability standards. Meanwhile, the MRCA consolidates regulatory oversight by establishing the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC), a corporate body with perpetual succession that centralises the functions previously held by the Director of Mines, Director of Geological Survey, and Director of Mining Cadastre. The MRC’s mandate includes the issuance, renewal, and monitoring of mining rights, licence administration, gemstone and large-scale mining regulation, and supervision of health, safety, and environmental compliance.
The newly implemented local content regime under the Geological and Minerals Development Act, 2025, and its associated Statutory Instrument marks a decisive shift in Zambia’s mining legal framework towards deeper domestic participation. Mining rights-holders will soon be required to allocate at least 20% of procurement budgets to registered Zambian suppliers within six months of the SI’s commencement, increasing to 40% over five years.
Data Protection Goes Live
The Data Protection Act, No 3 of 2021, entered active enforcement in 2025 following the operationalisation of the Data Protection Commission (DPC). The DPC’s phased rollout of compliance guidance and enforcement protocols has placed data governance firmly on the corporate agenda.
Entities handling personal data – banks, telecom operators, employers, healthcare institutions, HR service providers, and tech platforms – now face binding obligations around lawful processing, data subject rights, impact assessments, cross-border transfers, and breach notification procedures.
Non-compliance attracts regulatory sanctions, reputational damage, and civil liability, as the DPC wields investigative and penalty powers. Courts and regulators are expected to develop jurisprudence balancing privacy rights with public interest and national security concerns.
Introduction of Alternative Income Tax in 2026 National Budget
It was announced during the presentation of the 2026 National Budget under the theme “Consolidating Economic and Social Gains Towards a Prosperous, Resilient and Equitable Zambia” that 80% of the budget would be financed locally. The domestic financing trend does not threaten tax stability immediately, but it tightens the fiscal belt. For investors, it signals a stable but disciplined tax environment where future changes are more likely to focus on enforcement, digitalisation, and efficiency rather than abrupt tax rate increases.
The introduction of the Alternative Income Tax forms part of Zambia’s ongoing fiscal reform strategy to promote fairness, compliance, and domestic resource mobilisation. For investors, this reform signals the government’s commitment to a more predictable and transparent tax framework. It encourages businesses to maintain proper financial records and reinforces Zambia’s drive toward sustainable revenue generation while maintaining an investor-friendly environment.
Typically, a transaction for the acquisition of shares, a business or assets takes the form of a private contractual sale where a party directly acquires shares in an entity. Other types of transactions include:
A party may also acquire an existing entity’s assets and business and transfer them into a new company. The transaction choice is usually decided according to what will be easiest regarding regulations and tax efficiency. In some cases, the parties prefer to enter into heads of an agreement prior to the share and purchase agreement, allotment or having the asset sale agreement finally signed.
Depending on the nature of the transaction (eg, an M&A agreement), a number of advisers in addition to legal advisers may be involved, including financial advisers, accountants, tax advisers and other specialised experts, who may be required at the due diligence stage.
Prior to the commencement of negotiations, the parties will usually carry out the target entity’s legal, financial and tax due diligence. The due diligence takes the form of the vendor setting up a data room in which they deposit all the information required by the potential purchaser. The typical areas that due diligence covers are: corporate, tax liabilities, litigation status, employment liabilities, review of an asset register, pensions, patents and the company’s existing contracts.
The timeframe largely depends on the scale and complexity of the transaction and could range from six to ten months. The timeframe may also be shorter or longer, depending on the regulatory approvals required.
On 26 December 2023, the Competition and Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act No 21 of 2023 (the “Amendment Act”) was officially enacted, introducing significant changes to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Act No 24 of 2010 (the “Principal Act”). A key highlight of these amendments is the long-awaited domestication of the COMESA Competition Regulations into Zambian law, addressing a long-standing issue, particularly in the area of merger control. This development marks a pivotal step forward in aligning Zambia’s competition framework with regional standards.
A foreign investor considering FDI in Zambia should be aware that it needs regulatory approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) with respect to M&A, either of shares or assets.
Additionally, the payment of Property Transfer Tax (PTT) may be applicable, depending on whether the M&A is an acquisition of shares, a business or assets.
Change of ownership of a licence in mines, banks and insurance companies involves additional statutory notification requirements. A change-of-control notification is also required regarding the transfer of environmental licences.
Part VII of the Companies Act for private and public companies stipulates corporate governance in Zambia. Its provisions set out requirements for the appointment of a company secretary (and what their responsibilities will be) and the appointment of directors (as well as their powers, duties and limitations). The Companies Act also lists reporting requirements and particular records that should be kept at the company’s registered office.
There is a corporate governance code outlining guidelines and principles of corporate governance for companies listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE). The LuSE Corporate Governance Code includes principles to which listed companies must adhere on either a “comply or explain” basis.
More recently, the government made amendments to the Trust Restrictions Act, as read together with the (Land) (Perpetual Succession) (Amendment) Act No 11 of 2020, to introduce beneficial ownership or interest disclosure provisions.
Minority shareholders have a measure of protection under the Companies Act. Section 134 of the Companies Act expressly provides for remedies against minority shareholder oppression on a takeover. The Companies Act gives shareholders a right to bring an action against a director where there is negligence, breach of statutory duty or illegal action. Under Section 335 of the Companies Act, an action can be brought against the company for breach of a duty owed to the shareholder. These remedies also include interim reliefs, such as injunctions, to prevent a director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the directors' duties under the Companies Act and the articles of association. The option of a derivative action is also present, subject to a court granting relief. The Companies Act also gives every shareholder the right to inspect the company’s books.
Furthermore, shareholders’ agreements can provide extra protection with regard to the rights of minority shareholders.
Shareholders’ liability in private and public limited companies is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares.
The Companies Act provides that every company must prepare its audited statements, and the same should be submitted to the registrar of companies at the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA). The company’s annual return should accompany this. Failure by any company to submit its annual return and financial reports at the end of each financial year is an offence and is punishable by a fine if convicted. The law extends criminal liability for failure to submit annual returns and financial reports to each officer of the company in default (in most cases, the directors).
Companies registered as foreign companies must submit a financial statement in relation to that company’s operations and assets in Zambia within three months of the end of the financial year. The Act requires that the financial accounts comply with the standards set out for financial accounts relating to companies incorporated in Zambia.
There are additional reporting requirements for publicly listed companies under the Securities Act No 41 of 2016 and the Lusaka Stock Exchange Rules.
The capital market is still developing in Zambia. It is regulated by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), the decisions of which can be appealed to the Securities Exchange Tribunal. There is currently only one licensed stock exchange in Zambia licensed by the Securities Exchange Act. The LuSE has two types of listed companies. These are known as “quoted companies” and “listed companies”.
The LuSE operates the Central Share Depository, which is the warehouse for records of all instruments traded on the stock exchange. Typical transactions on the LuSE are initial public offerings and listing of debt securities. It is typical for listed debt securities to be registered with the SEC first. Once the debt securities are offered and brought to the open market, there is a formal listing application, after which the securities are listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange Debt Securities Tier. As with initial public offerings, debt securities are also listed. Debt securities may only be quoted. In other words, the issuer only needs to register the debt securities but does not need to apply to list them on the stock exchange formally, and therefore they merely remain quoted.
The listed market is further divided into the main market and the alternative market.
Trading is done only by licensed brokers.
There is no property gains tax. However, there is a withholding tax on any declaration of a dividend. There is also no PTT for shares traded as listed shares. This exchange does not apply to quotes, shares or securities.
The Securities Act No 41 of 2016 is the general legislation that regulates securities. There are several regulations made under the Act, which include:
Foreign investment funds will be regulated should they be offered to members of the public. A foreign-based investment scheme has to apply to the SEC to be granted authorisation to operate a foreign-based investment fund. The precondition of the SEC is that the scheme must have an agent in Zambia if it is managed from a foreign country. The Securities Act prohibits any person from entering into any agreement with the view of acquiring, disposing of or subscribing for shares, units or other securities representing an interest in a collective investment scheme or the establishment and operation of a venture capital fund. Any person who structures such a fund with approval from the SEC is committing an offence. Another regulator, in addition to the Securities Act, is the Securities Investment Scheme. The SEC allows an application to be made by a foreign-based investment scheme.
Zambia has a merger control regime, and the body responsible for this is the CCPC. The Competition Act provides that a merger occurs when an enterprise directly or indirectly acquires or establishes direct or indirect control over the whole or part of the business of another enterprise or when two or more enterprises mutually agree to adopt arrangements for common ownership or control over the whole or part of their respective businesses. Accordingly, a merger may be achieved where:
The Competition Act provides that a person controls an enterprise if they meet the following change-of-control criteria. The person:
The prescribed threshold for merger notification is met when the combined turnover or assets (whichever is higher) of the merging parties in Zambia is at least ZMW15 million.
A merger is reviewable by the CCPC if it meets the prescribed threshold or other criteria (as provided in the Competition Act and the Commission Merger Guidelines 2015). It is not notifiable when the prescribed threshold has not been met despite the transaction amounting to a merger.
The requirements of the CCPC are in the notification form, which asks for specific details about the business, why the merger is being carried out, how the merger will help the Zambian market, etc, as well as details of beneficial ownership, etc. The idea is to ensure that the merger will not harm the market.
The other aspect is that the CCPC is the starting point and it can come back to impose a penalty whenever it finds out that the procedure has not been followed. However, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and PACRA have recently been taking due diligence more seriously, as a result of which, the ZRA will not process the PTT on a transaction until it knows that the CCPC has cleared the transaction, and before PACRA will lodge a transaction it needs to know that the PTT obligations have been settled.
Failure to follow the correct channels could therefore thwart the entire transaction.
See 6.3 Remedies and Commitments.
This does not apply in Zambia.
This does not apply in Zambia.
This does not apply in Zambia.
This does not apply in Zambia.
Zambia’s legislation does not expressly preclude any FDI in a particular area. However, the following sectors or industries impose certain foreign ownership restrictions on acquisition and disposal of interest, as well as on the transfer of licence:
The ZRA is the corporate body responsible for implementing tax laws. The principal taxes that a business must pay include:
An entity that derives its income from Zambia or a source deemed to be income from Zambia is required to file income tax returns. These take two forms: provisional and annual income tax returns.
Companies are generally taxed at a corporate rate of 30% on profits. However, companies operating in certain sectors have different corporate tax rates. The agricultural sector and non-traditional exports are taxed at 15%. Telecommunications companies are taxed at 35%. Turnover tax and rental income tax of K12,000 per annum will be taxed at 0%. Income from value addition to gemstones through lapidary and jewellery facilities will be taxed at 25%. Companies listed on the LuSE also pay the incentive tax rate of 33% on profits. There are no differences in the manner in which a local subsidiary and a local branch of a non-resident may be taxed. However, profit repatriated to the foreign parent company is subject to a 20% withholding tax. If the foreign parent company is located in a country with which Zambia has a double-taxation treaty, the relevant provisions of the treaty regulating profit attribution will apply.
The government of Zambia, through the Income Tax (Amendment) Act No 10 of 2025, introduced an Alternative Income Tax (AIT) regime aimed at broadening the tax base and ensuring equitable contribution from all business entities. The measure responds to persistent trends where some companies, despite generating substantial revenue, consistently declare little or no taxable profit due to various deductions and allowances.
Under the new regime, companies and partnerships are required to pay a minimum tax of 1% on turnover, referred to as the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT), in cases where the normal corporate income tax liability is less than this threshold. In effect, the higher of the normal income tax or the alternative minimum tax will apply, ensuring that all entities contribute a fair share to national revenue.
The AIT does not apply to entities already subject to the turnover tax regime or specific presumptive tax schemes. Exemptions may also extend to sectors or businesses that operate under approved tax incentive frameworks, such as those registered under the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) or Multi-Facility Economic Zones (MFEZs), where special investment incentives prevail.
All dividend income from non-Zambian sources of a Zambian resident company is subject to corporate income tax as a separate source. Where the dividend income received is from another Zambian resident company, the withholding tax deducted on the dividend payment should represent the “final tax”, and the Zambian resident company receiving the dividend is not subject to an additional corporate income tax liability.
Non-resident shareholders are subject to a 20% withholding tax on the payment of dividends in Zambia unless otherwise determined by a relevant double-taxation treaty.
Dividends are payable at the board of directors’ discretion as long as the company is solvent. There is no compulsory dividend payment and no capital tax payable on the minimum share capital of the company. There is no investment tax on minimum share capital. The only statutory fee payable on minimum capital is when a company’s share capital is increased; this carries a fee of 2.5% of the increased share capital plus ZMW175.
Dividend payments are not tax-deductible.
Tax planning methods include using related third-party entities, subject to arm’s length transaction benchmarking under the Zambian law on transfer pricing. Other strategies include setting up holding companies in countries with favourable double-taxation treaties with Zambia. Last but not least, the contribution can be included in existing entities as equity to take advantage of PTT exemptions. Another option is investing in Multi-facility Economic Zones (MFEZ), which now offer concession corporate tax rates for those FDI companies that export 50% of their product. These rates are as follows:
There is no capital gains tax in Zambia. However, PTT is charged on the realisable value of the transferred property.
The Property Transfer Tax Act Chapter 340 defines “property” as:
The rate of tax effective 1 January 2025 is:
PTT at a rate of 5% of the realised value is also payable on the transfer of any shares in a non-resident holding company holding at least 10% of the issued shares in a company incorporated in Zambia. The realised value for the transfer of shares in a non-resident company is limited to the value of the effective shareholding in the Zambian entity. “Effective shareholding” is defined as the extent of control or ownership in a company incorporated in Zambia by a company incorporated outside Zambia, expressed as a percentage.
In Zambia, there are predominant anti-avoidance provisions. That is, if the commissioner-general of the ZRA has reasonable grounds to believe that:
the commissioner-general may (if this is determined to be just and reasonable) direct that such adjustments be made regarding liability for tax as are considered appropriate to counteract the avoidance or reduction of liability for the tax that the transaction would otherwise effect.
The primary legislation governing employment relationships in Zambia is the Employment Act No 3 of 2019. It provides a framework that governs all employment relationships, contains mandatory terms that every employment contract must satisfy, and specifies how to enforce employee rights.
Other notable legislation governing employment relationships includes the Industrial and Labour Relations Act.
The concept of formalised representations under Zambian law is recognised by the existence of trade unions. Section 5(1)(b) of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act is clear that an employee has the right to be a member of a trade union of that employee’s choice. Employees also have the right to choose whether or not to join a union. Therefore, it is not mandatory for employees to be represented; they are only represented if they choose to be members of a trade union. Where a trade union represents an employee, the employee must be consulted with respect to the conclusion or extension of collective agreements in relation to collective redundancies and transfers to another employer.
An employee’s compensation is in the form of cash, pension/retirement benefits and statutory benefits, as provided for under the employee’s contract of employment.
In an acquisition or change of control, the employer must first obtain consent from the employees and authorisation from the labour commissioner before transferring any employees to the new employer. In the event that the employee does not consent to the transfer, the employee’s contract of employment will be terminated, and the employee will be entitled to severance pay.
Before endorsing a contract of employment to which the employee has consented, the Labour Commission must ensure that the employer and employee have entered into an agreement to either carry forward the employee’s liabilities or to pay the employee any outstanding liabilities due to the employee prior to the transfer of that employee’s contract of employment.
The Supreme Court of Zambia stated that a change in ownership of shares cannot result in the corporate entity becoming a new employer; it will still be the same employer and will be bound by employment contracts.
Employees are not mandated to transfer their contracts. Any transfer of an employee’s contract requires consent from that employee.
Where an employee does not consent to the transfer, that employee’s contract will be terminated immediately, and the employee will be entitled to severance pay.
See 10.2 Employee Compensation. For unionised employees, a collective agreement should be signed with the trade union, and consent should be obtained from the Labour Commission.
This does not apply in Zambia.
Trade Marks
Zambia is considered to provide strong intellectual property protection. However, it is debated that the protection of trade marks has limitations (such as the issue of the Zambian trade mark law not recognising service marks in the Nice classification Zambia from classes 35 to 45). Trade mark proprietors seeking to register trade marks in respect of services have to register their trade marks in the goods class most closely associated with the relevant services.
A further limitation of the current Trademarks Act is that it does not enable the proprietor of a registered trade mark to rely on a trademark registration to prohibit the use of an identical/confusingly similar mark in relation to goods not covered by the said registration, even where the goods may be considered similar. There is also no express protection for unregistered trade mark proprietors in the Trademarks Act against infringers that register the trade mark, despite the unregistered proprietor showing evidence of previous use of the trade mark commercially.
Section 16 of the Trademarks Act provides that it is not lawful to register as a trade mark or part of a trade mark any matter the use of which would be likely to deceive or cause confusion, be contrary to the law or morality, or any scandalous design.
Patents
A patent can be the subject of a compulsory licence. Section 99 of the Patents Act provides that three years from the date of the granting of a patent, a person may apply to the minister for the granting of a compulsory licence on any of the following grounds:
This type of licence is not very common and there have been no compulsory licences for the past five years in Zambia.
There are laws that limit the terms upon which parties may agree on a patent licence. For example, the terms of the licence may not have unjustified restrictions or be prejudicial to the country’s economic interest.
Section 97(1) of the Patents Act provides that the registrar may refuse to register a licence contract that imposes unjustified restrictions on the licensee or is prejudicial to the country’s economic interest.
Zambia currently has the following data protection and data privacy laws and regulations in place:
These laws do not, however, have an extraterritorial scope.
William Burton Place
No 12 Chilekwa Mwamba Road
Off Lubu/Saise Roads
Longacres
Lusaka
Zambia
+260 211 256530
+260 211 256372
info.zambia@dentons.com www.dentons.com/en/dentons-eric-silwamba-jalasi-and-linyama
The 2026 National Budget: “Consolidating Economic and Social Gains Towards a Prosperous, Resilient and Equitable Zambia”
The 2026 budget, presented under the theme “Consolidating Economic and Social Gains Towards a Prosperous, Resilient and Equitable Zambia”, signals a clear pivot toward investment-friendly reform and macro-stability. Total expenditure of ZMW253.1 billion (approximately 27.4% of GDP) marks a meaningful increase from the prior year’s plan. The government projects GDP growth of roughly 6.4% in 2026, driven by mining, agriculture and ICT sector expansion. From an investor’s perspective, key takeaways include:
In sum, the 2026 budget frames Zambia as a jurisdiction moving from crisis management to consolidation and selective growth acceleration, making it particularly relevant for strategic investors seeking entry into mining value chains, infrastructure renewables, manufacturing clusters and ICT platforms.
From Drought to Drill-Down: Zambia’s Mining Boom Powers Economic Rebound
Zambia’s economic outlook for 2025 is closely linked to the upward trend in global commodity markets. After experiencing challenges in 2023–2024, including drought conditions, limited power supply, and fiscal constraints, the country achieved a 4.5% GDP growth rate in Q1 2025, an improvement from the previous year’s 2.2%. This recovery has been driven by increased copper production, expanded agricultural investments, and renewed momentum in the ICT and trade sectors. Inflation declined to 12.3% in September 2025, contributing to a stronger kwacha and bolstering investor confidence. Copper prices have remained steady at levels above USD8,000 per tonne, positioning Zambia’s mining industry as a key driver of economic expansion. This resurgence is supported by advances in debt restructuring and enhanced macroeconomic governance.
The renewed activity is fuelling opportunities for mergers and acquisitions, cross-border financing and public–private partnerships within mining logistics and infrastructure. The country has seen an increase in joint ventures, offtake agreements as international investors and the government enter into contracts. Government policies focused on “value addition” in mineral processing and energy minerals (especially lithium) are raising new regulatory issues involving royalty rates, transfer pricing, and tax incentives. Advisers have also observed closer scrutiny and stricter enforcement of exchange control and foreign exchange measures as the Bank of Zambia aims to stabilise the kwacha amid growing mining exports and FDI.
Zambia Redefines Minerals, Jobs and Local Content
The enactment of the Geological and Minerals Development Act, 2025, and the commencement order of the Minerals Regulation Commission Act mark the most comprehensive update to Zambia’s mining legal framework in ten years. The Geological and Minerals Development Act establishes an Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Fund aimed at formalising and supporting small-scale operators, implements mandatory quotas for local employment and procurement, and enhances regulations governing environmental and social responsibility.
The newly implemented local content regime under the Geological and Minerals Development Act and its associated Statutory Instrument marks a decisive shift in Zambia’s mining legal framework towards deeper domestic participation. Mining rights-holders will soon be required to allocate at least 20% of procurement budgets to registered Zambian suppliers within six months of the SI’s commencement, increasing to 40% over five years.
The Mineral Regulations Commission Act deals with mining rights, licences, large-scale mining in Zambia, gemstone mining, health and safety, environmental protection, and geological services in respect of analysis, royalties and charges. Notably, the MRCA centralises other departments into one Commission by overhauling the previous positions of Director of Mines, Director of Geological Survey and the Director of Mining Cadastre. All of these departments are now centralised into one commission. The MRCA establishes the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC) which is a corporate body with perpetual succession, whose primary function is to regulate and monitor the development and management of mineral resources in the Republic of Zambia.
For mining lawyers and tax advisers, these reforms reshape how licences are granted, transferred, and renewed. Companies must now meet stricter local content and beneficiation obligations, which will influence investment structuring, joint venture negotiations, and supply chain compliance.
The ASM Fund also introduces opportunities for micro-finance and community enterprise development, but it will require new financial-legal instruments and accountability frameworks.
Additionally, greater emphasis on environmental disclosure, social impact audits, and community participation will expand the role of environmental law specialists and ESG advisers.
For multinational investors, this evolving landscape heightens the need for stability clauses, dispute resolution readiness, and compliance monitoring to manage sovereign and operational risk in long-term mining contracts.
Data Protection Goes Live
Zambia’s Data Protection Act, No 3 of 2021, has been been actively enforced since 2025 following the operationalisation of the Data Protection Commission (DPC). The DPC’s guidance and enforcement roadmap began rolling out in early-to-mid-2025.
Organisations that process personal data, such as banks, telecoms, employers, healthcare providers, HR service providers and tech platforms, now face immediate compliance obligations relating to lawful bases for processing, data subject rights, data protection impact assessments, cross-border transfer rules, and breach notifications.
Failure to comply carries regulatory sanctions, reputational loss and potential civil claims. The DPC is empowered to investigate and impose penalties. Courts and regulators will increasingly be asked to balance privacy rights with public interest and national security exceptions.
It is therefore expected that organisations will undertake rapid compliance audits, update privacy notices, and review vendor and supply chain data processing agreements, cross-border transfer clauses and incident response playbooks. There is also a need to prepare sector-specific guidance for financial services, healthcare and HR, as well as contractual templates designed to allocate or shift liability where permitted.
Introduction of Alternative Income Tax in 2026 National Budget
It was announced during the presentation of the 2026 National Budget under the theme “Consolidating Economic and Social Gains Towards a Prosperous, Resilient and Equitable Zambia” that 80% of the budget would be financed locally. The domestic financing trend does not threaten tax stability immediately, but it tightens the fiscal belt. For investors, it signals a stable but disciplined tax environment where future changes are more likely to focus on enforcement, digitalisation, and efficiency rather than abrupt tax rate increases.
The introduction of the Alternative Income Tax forms part of Zambia’s ongoing fiscal reform strategy to promote fairness, compliance, and domestic resource mobilisation. For investors, this reform signals the government’s commitment to a more predictable and transparent tax framework. It encourages businesses to maintain proper financial records and reinforces Zambia’s drive toward sustainable revenue generation while maintaining an investor-friendly environment.
The Companies (Amendment) Bill 2025
There is in place a Bill to amend the existing Companies Act. The amendments seek to amend the Companies Act so as to:
These amendments accelerate Zambia’s AML/CFT compliance regime by forcing clearer disclosure of ultimate owners and preventing anonymous shareholding structures. This increases due diligence burdens for corporate transactions (M&A, financing, trust structures) and raises exposure for professionals who fail to verify beneficial ownership information. It also affects corporate incorporations, share transfers, nominee relationships, and company registers will require stricter verification and retention of evidence of beneficial ownership.
William Burton Place
No 12 Chilekwa Mwamba Road
Off Lubu/Saise Roads
Longacres
Lusaka
Zambia
+260 211 256530
+260 211 256372
info.zambia@dentons.com www.dentons.com/en/dentons-eric-silwamba-jalasi-and-linyama