Zambia

Zambia benefits from the EU's "Everything but Arms" (EBA) scheme for least developed countries. Zambia currently holds lower-middle income country status according to the World Bank classification, with the per-capita income standing at $ 1.240 (2022). Total imports from Zambia summed up to € 467 million in 2022, a significant increase compared to 2020. Preferential imports most recently stood at €165 million (2022).

What is the EBA?

The “Everything but Arms”(EBA) scheme is a permanent arrangement covering Least Developed Countries (LDC’s) as classified by the United Nations. This arrangement enables duty-free and quota-free access for all products (7200 products in total) originating in LDC’s except for arms and ammunition. Different from the Standard GSP and GSP+, LDC’s are not excluded from the scheme if they benefit from other preferential arrangements.

Zambia flag

At a glance: EBA beneficiaries' preferential imports to the EU

group

20,02 M

Population

account_balance
Presidential Republic

Government

trending_up

5.20%

GDP Growth

equalizer

9.60%

Inflation

money

$ 29,16 B

GDP

54 ^

Freedomhouse index

4 -

ITUC Global Rights Index

38.4 ^

Environmental Performance Index

Facts about Zambia's economy

Urbanization

Zambia is one of the most urbanised countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Almost half of the population lives in urban areas.

Export Products

Zambia's main export articles include copper (both refined and unrefined), sulphuric acids, precious stones and gold, cement, sugar, non-alcoholic beverages, and cotton.

Trade Partners

Zambia's most important trading partners are Switzerland, China, and Congo (Democratic Rep). These three countries together account for about 60% of Zambia's total trade. Switzerland and China are the most important markets for Zambian products, while most imports originate from South Africa and Congo.

Economic Structure

Zambia's copper reserves built the foundation for the country's strong economic growth, and continue to play an important role for the economy. Next to copper, the country also possesses substantial emerald reserves, as well as cobalt, gold, and silver. The agricultural sector remains small although it employs the majority of Zambia's population. The manufacturing sector mainly concentrates on import substitution activities. The services contribute around to 55.5% to the GDP and the industry shares 35.2% of the GDP (2022).

Copper Production

Zambia is one of the largest producers of copper on the African continent. The annual production amounts to about 750,000 metric tons.

Trade with the EU

Total trade with the EU amounted to € 929 million in 2022. With a share of 3.9%, the EU ranks 6th in overall trading partners.

Zambia and the EU (2022)

Imports from Zambia by product section

Imports from Zambia over time (in € m)

ZAMBIA AND THE EU’s GSP

Economic Impact

37%

About 37% of Zambia's exports to the European market are eligible for preferences granted by the EU's EBA arrangement.

95.20%

Zambia currently has a high preference utilisation rate of 95.2%.

Preference utilisation and export diversification

Zambia's imports to the EU

Preference Utilisation vs. total eligible imports

Zambia’s preference utilisation rate was consistently around over 88% between 2020 and 2022. Eligible imports, on the other hand, continue to fluctuate and only account for around 35% of overall EU imports from Zambia. The large majority of imports, including for example copper products, already benefits from zero most-favoured nation duties.

The largest product sections under EBA

The utilisation of preferential tariffs is highly concentrated on iron, steel and related articles, as well as on tobacco. These sectors account for about 90% of all preferential imports. Trees and plants as well as fruits, nuts and vegetables are the third and forth largest categories under the EBA, and the country makes full use of the preferential rates.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The preferential access to the EU market granted by the EBA scheme is not bound to the ratification of international conventions. Zambia has ratified 14 out of 15 fundamental international conventions on the protection of human rights and labour standards. In addition, Zambia signals high commitment to the protection of the environment and good governance which is reflected by the ratification of 8 environmental protection conventions and 4 good governance conventions.

Core international conventions on human rights and labour standards

Ratified

  • International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1969)
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976)
  • International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (1976)
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1981)
  • Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1987)
  • Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990)
  • Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour, No 29 (1930)
  • Convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, No 87 (1948)
  • Convention concerning the Application of the Principles of the Right to Organise and to Bargain Collectively, No 98 (1949)
  • Convention concerning Equal Remuneration of Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value, No 100 (1951)
  • Convention concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour, No 105 (1957)
  • Convention concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation, No 111 (1958)
  • Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, No 138 (1973)
  • Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, No 182 (1999)

Not Ratified

  • Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)

Additional Conventions

  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973)
  • Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)
  • Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1989)
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
  • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
  • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000)
  • Stockholm Convention on persistent Organic Pollutants (2001)
  • Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1998)
  • United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)
  • United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971)
  • United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988)
  • United Nations Convention against Corruption (2004)

EU-Zambia Bilateral Development Assistance

DG INTPA

Access all info about EU-Zambia relations on the International Partnerships website: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/zambia_en

Opportunities in Zambia

  • Traditionally high degree of political stability
  • Extensive natural resources, including resources in water and minerals, some of them still unexploited
  • Solid infrastructure
  • Great potential in developing and extending infrastructure for the generation of renewable energy, solar in particular
  • Growing middle-class and rising domestic consumption

Contact points