Zambia’s Mining Sector Shows Strong Consolidation in 2025
Zambia’s mining sector has delivered a solid and stabilising performance in 2025, reaffirming its position as the backbone of the economy and a key driver of export earnings, fiscal revenues and foreign exchange inflows.
The year has been characterised by improved copper productive output, following the stabilisation and recapitalisation of some major mining assets and the steady implementation of expansion programmes across the Copperbelt and North-Western Province.
This operational recovery coincided with favourable global copper prices, underpinned by strong demand from the global energy transition, infrastructure development and electrification.
Investor confidence in the sector strengthened in 2025, strongly supported by greater policy predictability and improved engagement between the government and industry.
Progress on large-scale mine expansion projects signalled renewed long-term commitment to Zambia’s copper growth ambitions and employment creation.
From a macroeconomic standpoint, mining continued to play a critical role in supporting the Kwacha, strengthening the balance of payments and underpinning government revenues through mineral royalties, corporate taxes and dividends.
These gains have provided important fiscal breathing space as the country continues efforts toward economic stabilisation and debt sustainability scale.
Nonetheless, the sector still faces structural challenges, including high energy costs, infrastructure bottlenecks and the need to ensure that increased production translates into broader domestic value addition.
Strengthening local content, skills transfer and downstream processing remains essential for maximising mining’s developmental impact.
Overall, 2025 can be viewed as a consolidation year for Zambia’s mining industry, one that restored operational momentum, reinforced investor confidence and laid a stronger foundation for sustained growth in the years ahead.
