africa country profile
commercial case depends on matching the grade and design to the service conditions and weighing initial cost against maintenance, replacement and downtime. For Southern African stainless steel businesses, Zambia’s project pipeline is a reminder that regional opportunities are shaped by more than headline investment figures. They depend on the ability to understand local operating conditions, work with project owners and engineering teams, and provide materials and technical support that are fit for purpose. The strongest role for the industry is to be part of those conversations early. That means helping project teams make informed material choices, building local skills and supply relationships, and demonstrating where stainless steel can contribute to durable infrastructure. As Zambia invests in water security, a broader energy mix and diversified mining, those capabilities could help translate project plans into assets built to perform. INFORMATION SOURCES: • African Development Bank Group, Zambia Country Strategy Paper 2024–2029; US Internationa Administration, “Zambia: African Development Bank infrastructure project opportunities” • African Development Bank, Kabwe Water Supply and Sanitation Project • Africa Energy Portal, Chisamba Solar Power Plant Phase II • Copperbelt Energy Corporation, Itimpi II Solar Plant • Zambia Development Agency, Ndola Vioqua Energy IPPA; Prospect, “Zambia Signs $450M Deal for 450 MW Ndola Thermal Power Plant”. • ENSafrica, “Africa Business in Brief”, Kyalo Goldfields joint venture
steel may be suitable for selected applications where exposure, corrosion or durability requirements justify it; the choice will depend on design conditions and competing materials. A separate proposal for a 450 MW thermal power plant in Ndola points to the continuing need for dependable baseload generation as Zambia expands its energy capacity. The Zambia Development Agency has signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Ndola Vioqua Energy Company for a project valued at US$450 million. The project is expected to be developed in two phases, with CEC identified as the intended electricity off-taker. The company has indicated that construction and operations could create 640 jobs, alongside opportunities for suppliers and service providers.
Mining diversification and regional capability
Copper remains central to Zambia’s economy, but the country is also seeking to broaden its minerals portfolio. ZCCM Investments Holdings and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Mining Mineral Resources have established Kyalo Goldfields Limited to explore, finance and develop the Kilonge mining area. ZCCM-IH holds a 51 per cent stake in the joint venture, with MMR holding 49 per cent. Mining projects create demand across exploration, processing, water management and supporting infrastructure. In the plant environment, stainless steel can be specified for applications exposed to corrosive water, chemical processes or combinations of abrasion and corrosion. As with water and energy projects, the
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Issue 4 – 2026
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