Despite Zambian-owned companies constituting the majority of registered construction firms, foreign contractors continue to dominate the industry in terms of project value, according to the National Council for Construction (NCC).
NCC Executive Director, Professor Paul Makasa, revealed that out of the 13,431 construction certificates issued in 2024, 97.6% were granted to Zambian-owned firms, while 2.4% were awarded to foreign-owned companies. This reflects a strong local presence in terms of numbers, but the actual value of awarded projects tells a different story.
Professor Makasa noted that despite their numerical dominance, Zambian contractors accounted for only 18% of total project value in 2024, a slight decline from 18.5% in 2023. In contrast, foreign-owned contractors controlled a staggering 81.89% of the market, showing only a marginal decrease from 81.48% the previous year.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on the state of Zambia’s construction sector from 2024 to 2025, Professor Makasa acknowledged these disparities but highlighted that the overall construction industry experienced notable growth in 2024.
By Best Jere
