Sales are normally conducted via cash payment, mobile money, bank transfer, debit cards or e-payments using different platforms. Companies that can offer credit, or an extended payment schedule, have an edge even if their prices are higher.
Trade Promotion and Advertising
Goods and services are advertised through flyers in the main daily newspapers such as The Mast, Times of Zambia, and Daily Mail for wider circulation at a fee.
There are five private television stations and two public channels operated by the state-run Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. Television channels, community radio stations, and internet ad agencies also provide advertising services. Radio is the most widely accessed form of media in Zambia.
Pricing
Depending on the product for sale, and the duties collected upon importation, the standard value-added-tax in Zambia currently stands at 16 percent and is included in the listed price of the goods or services.
Local Professional Services
A number of professional service providers are available to U.S. companies. A list of attorneys can be found on the U.S. Embassy in Zambia website or through the Law Association of Zambia. Other resources include:
- Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants
- Zambia Institute of Marketing
- National Construction Council of Zambia
- The Engineering Institute of Zambia
- Association of Professional Immigration Consultants
- Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management
Principal Business Associations
American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia (AmCham): Founded in 2011, AmCham today has over 120 member companies representing various multinational corporations and local Zambian businesses. The organization hosts multiple networking events throughout the year and developing its capacity to advocate for its members’ commercial interests.
Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI): ZACCI is a national body representing the interests of Zambia’s private sector via promotion and development of trade, commerce, and industry. ZACCI represents several thousand businesses in Zambia and a sizable network of companies of all sizes and sectors. ZACCI offers a range of services to its members and advocates for its members’ interests to the government.
Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM): The ZCM was established to promote the interests of its members, and to encourage, protect, and grow Zambia’s mining industry. The Chamber represents all major mines operating in Zambia. ZCM advocates for the interests of its members.
Association of Zambian Exploration Companies (AZMEC): AZMEC provides a discussion forum and dedicated lobby group for both mineral exploration companies and mining companies engaged in mineral exploration as well as government representatives, service providers, academic institutions, and other interested parties in Zambia with the view to contributing to the growth, promotion, and sustainable development of the sector in Zambia.
Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM): ZAM is the voice of industry, representing the interest of the entire manufacturing sector and other related economic sectors in Zambia. ZAM was established to foster dialogue and relations between the manufacturers and government to increase industrial activities in Zambia. ZAM seeks to promote the manufacturing sector through policy advocacy, dialogue, lobbying, and technology upgrading of the production process as a way of improving productivity and competitiveness in the industry.
Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU): ZNFU is a national membership-based organization, with countrywide coverage, representing the agriculture sector stakeholders. ZNFU has a robust communication network promoting members’ interests and the development of the agricultural industry. Of all the private sector associations, ZNFU has been the most effective in influencing government policy to address the needs of its members.
Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services
All products and services are permitted for sale in Zambia, except those expressly prohibited in Zambia’s WTO schedule of commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services.