Zambia

Zambia, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, is known for its rich natural resources, particularly copper. It shares borders with eight countries: Tanzania to the northeast, Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the southeast, Zimbabwe to the south, Botswana and Namibia to the southwest, Angola to the west, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north. Zambia has a population of about 19.5 million (2024 estimate), with a significant portion of the population residing in rural areas. Agriculture and mining, particularly copper extraction, are the backbone of the Zambian economy, with copper contributing about 70% of the country’s export earnings. While Zambia has experienced periods of economic growth due to the demand for its mineral resources, the country faces considerable challenges. Poverty remains widespread, particularly in rural areas, and economic inequality is pronounced. Zambia also depends heavily on its mining sector, which makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in global copper prices. To reduce this dependency, the government has focused on economic diversification by promoting sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Key financial partnerships with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank play a critical role in supporting economic reform and infrastructure development.