Canada commits more than $10.5 million to Zambia development projects

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Canada's $10.5M Zambia projects

Highlights

Canada commits more than $10.5 million to four Zambia development projects, with $7.5 million allocated to iDE Canada for the Lobito Corridor from 2026–2032.
An additional $2 million will support Zambia’s financial sector supervision and regulation through partnerships with the Bank of Zambia, Pensions and Insurance Authority, SEC Zambia, and the Lusaka Stock Exchange.
$823,867 goes to DCAF to promote women's participation in security sectors, and $249,470 will support Zambia's Ministry of Energy on power transmission system improvements.

Funding package targets trade, finance and infrastructure

As reported by Canada.ca, the funding covers four projects designed to support inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in Zambia, with the largest allocation set at $7.5 million for International Development Enterprises (iDE Canada) from 2026 to 2032.

That Lobito Corridor project is intended to help smallholder farmers, entrepreneurs and local businesses raise productivity, reach new markets and capture commercial opportunities along the regional trade route. It also aims to support sustainable livelihoods, strengthen local value chains and widen opportunities for women and underserved communities.

Working with Canadian and local partners, the initiative will promote climate-resilient agriculture, strengthen market systems, encourage private sector investment and partnerships, and help local producers participate more effectively in regional value chains.

Canada is also adding $2 million to the Strengthening Financial Sector Supervision and Regulation project, which builds on an existing multi-country $20 million program running from 2024 to 2028. The additional investment is set to support Zambia’s financial sector and capital market development through work with the Bank of Zambia, the Pensions and Insurance Authority, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia and the Lusaka Stock Exchange.

The financial sector initiative is expected to improve oversight, modernize market regulations and strengthen institutional capacity tied to investment and economic growth. It is also intended to make it easier for businesses to access financing and attract investment, supporting job creation and broader private sector expansion.

Gender and energy projects broaden Zambia support

Another $823,867 is going to the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, DCAF, for a project aimed at increasing women’s meaningful participation and leadership in Zambia’s security and peacekeeping sectors. Working with the Zambia Police Service, the program will identify barriers to recruitment, career progression and deployment to international peacekeeping missions, while also strengthening the police service’s Gender Unit and supporting more inclusive internal policies.

A separate $249,470 technical assistance project with Zambia’s Ministry of Energy is focused on the country’s electricity transmission system. Canadian experts will share expertise on grid planning and management to help expand reliable power access for households, communities and businesses, a step that is expected to support economic growth and improve Zambia’s investment appeal.

Together, the projects show Canada’s focus on combining social inclusion with market-oriented development in Zambia. The package links agricultural productivity, financial system capacity, gender representation and energy reliability, sectors that are central to long-term private investment and broader economic transformation.

As we previously wrote, the IMF outlook covered sub-Saharan Africa’s stronger 2026 growth alongside rising inflation and debt pressures.

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