Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$1,500 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

12.4% (2008 est.)

Population

11,862,740

Country Risk Ratings

D

Ease of Doing Business

100/181

Global Competitiveness

3.49/134

Country Map

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gE Network

There are 14 members in the
gE Network for this country.

Zambia : Introduction

The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the [British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched an anticorruption investigation in 2002 to probe high-level corruption during the previous administration. In 2006-07, this task force successfully prosecuted four cases, including a landmark civil case in the UK in which former President CHILUBA and numerous others were found liable for USD 41 million. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his abrupt death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his Vice-president Rupiah BANDA, who subsequently won a special presidential election in October 2008.

Zambia: Bank of Zambia

The Central Bank of Zambia is in charge of formulating and implementing monetary policies in the country. The site has general economic and financial information as well as statistics and publications.

Zambia: Lusaka Stock Exchange

Zambia: The Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI)

ZACCI is a national body representing the interests of the private business sector in Zambia focusing on the promotion and development of trade, commerce and industry. This site includes information on the Chamber, a list of contacts and a ZACCI buisness directory.

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (September 2009)