ZEMA Introduces New Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations to Boost Efficiency
The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has promulgated the Environmental Management (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 3 of 2026, replacing the previous Environmental Protection and Pollution Control (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 28 of 1997.
The new regulations took effect on 9 January 2026, according to a statement by Ruth Kanyanga Kamwi, Manager of Corporate Affairs at ZEMA.
The revised regulations introduce significant reforms aimed at improving environmental management efficiency in Zambia. Key changes include reduced review fees for Environmental and Social Project Briefs (ESPBs) and Environmental and Social Impact Statements (ESISs), now calculated based on anticipated project impacts rather than investment costs. Fees have been cut from K17,300 to K5,300 for ESPBs and from K1,300,000 to K600,000 for ESISs.
In addition, review timelines have been shortened, with ESPB assessments now taking 20 calendar days down from 45 working days, and ESIS assessments taking 30 calendar days instead of 60.
The new regulations also allow for exemptions for low-impact projects, applying a risk-based approach. Social impact assessments are now integrated into the environmental assessment process, resulting in updated report names: Environmental and Social Project Brief (ESPB) and Environmental and Social Impact Statement (ESIS).
Ms Kamwi stated that the reforms are intended to streamline the environmental assessment process while ensuring that environmental and social safeguards are properly addressed during project development.
ZEMA has also called on clients with unpaid invoices issued under the previous regulations to visit the agency for reassessment in line with the new fee structure.
The agency described the reforms as a major step forward in supporting sustainable development and enhancing Zambia’s environmental management framework.
