Invest In Ndola Business Forum: “Repositioning The City As A Commerce, Logistics, And Clean, Green Industrial Hub.” By Ephraim Mufaya

Ndola’s industrial renaissance took centre stage at the inaugural Invest in Ndola Business Forum, hosted by the Ndola Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the theme “Repositioning the City as a Commerce, Logistics, and Clean, Green Industrial Hub.” The high-level gathering brought together government leaders, regional diplomats, investors, and private sector executives to reimagine Ndola’s role in Zambia’s and the region’s economic future.

With its strategic location and strong industrial heritage, Ndola is being positioned as a hub for value addition, modern logistics, sustainable manufacturing, and cross-border trade with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Government reaffirmed its commitment to an enabling business environment, including infrastructure development, industrial parks, and the ZMW 5 billion SME Fund to expand access to affordable finance.

NDCCI President Mrs. Diana Kabaila presented a bold vision of a clean, green industrial city driven by innovation, renewable energy, and efficient transport corridors, supported by special economic zones, targeted incentives, and a One-Stop Investment Centre.

The forum signalled a renewed confidence in Ndola’s potential and a collective determination to unlock investment, deepen regional integration, and drive inclusive, sustainable growth.

Ndola, long regarded as the industrial heartbeat of Zambia’s Copperbelt, is stepping into a new chapter of renewal. On 4th November 2025, the Ndola Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NDCCI) hosted the inaugural Invest in Ndola Business Forum at Protea Hotel under the theme “Repositioning the City as a Commerce, Logistics, and Clean, Green Industrial Hub.” More than a ceremonial gathering, the forum signalled a renewed determination to reposition Ndola as a catalyst for regional trade, investment, and sustainable growth.

The forum brought together an influential assembly of government leaders, diplomats, Ndola’s captains of industry, executives, investors, and 23 companies from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The event was graced by Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Hon. Elias Mubanga, Copperbelt Province Minister Hon. Elisha Matambo, Ndola Mayor Jones Kalyati, Ambassador of the DRC to Zambia Serge Didier Bapaga Tepupileka, and the DRC Consul General Jean Claude Kalunga Twite. Their collective presence embodied a shared vision to unlock Ndola’s industrial potential and deepen regional economic integration.

The Business Forum set out to spotlight Ndola’s competitive edge—its strategic logistics corridor, industrial promise, and growing role in regional trade. It championed green industrial growth, encouraged new waves of investment, sought to deepen collaboration with the DRC, and aimed to empower SMEs, collectively charting a bold path toward Ndola’s renewed economic future.

Keynote Address: Hon. Elias Mubanga

Against a backdrop of anticipation and ambition, a keynote address by Hon. Elias Mubanga, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, set the tone for the day’s deliberations. He reminded participants of Ndola’s proud industrial legacy and its potential to reclaim prominence as a regional value-addition hub.

Minister Mubanga emphasized government’s commitment to creating a more supportive business environment through infrastructure upgrades, the development of industrial parks, and deliberate policy reforms aimed at reducing barriers faced by entrepreneurs. Acknowledging financing challenges that continue to hinder SMEs, he announced a landmark initiative—the Bank of Zambia’s ZMW 5 billion SME Fund, a guaranteed facility designed to make credit more affordable and accessible.

He explained that the fund will empower entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and contribute meaningfully to economic diversification. The Minister urged both local and foreign investors to seize opportunities in manufacturing, mining value chains, and agro-processing. He further highlighted the importance of joint ventures between Zambian and Congolese entrepreneurs as a pathway to strengthening regional integration and unlocking broader economic growth across the Copperbelt.

A Case for Ndola: NDCCI President’s Vision

Central to the forum, Mrs. Diana Kabaila, President of the Ndola and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, delivered a compelling address titled “A Case for Ndola: Vision for Medium- to Long-Term Development.” She articulated a bold vision of Ndola as a clean, green industrial hub powered by innovation, renewable energy, and efficient transport corridors linking the region to global markets.

Highlighting the city’s population of over 600,000 and its strategic location supported by the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, major road networks, and access to the DRC border, Mrs. Kabaila outlined opportunities in revitalising manufacturing, agro-processing, industrial parks, and modern logistics and warehousing facilities.

She proposed practical solutions to spur investment, including special economic zones, targeted tax incentives, a Ndola Investment Fund, a One-Stop Investment Centre, financial support mechanisms, and “Buy Local” initiatives. Concluding on a unifying note, she urged collective action, affirming, “The time to act is now; together, we are stronger.”

VIP Contributions: Copperbelt Minister and Congolese Ambassador

Several VIP speakers reinforced the importance of cooperation and regional integration. Hon. Elisha Matambo, Minister for the Copperbelt Province, underscored the urgency of reviving dormant industries and restoring mining operations that had slowed regional growth. He stressed that private sector involvement remains essential for sustainable economic activity, job creation, and expanded trade within the region.

From an international perspective, the Congolese Ambassador to Zambia highlighted the deep political, cultural, and economic ties between Zambia and the DRC, noting that the two countries share more than 2,000 kilometres of border. He encouraged investors to pursue joint ventures anchored in peace, stability, and collaboration, emphasizing that economic progress flourishes where cooperation between nations is strong.

Consul General’s Remarks

Adding to the international dimension, His Excellency Jean Claude Kalunga Twite, Consul General of the DRC in Ndola, highlighted Ndola’s strategic role as a gateway for regional trade. He stressed that strengthening logistics, customs, and transport infrastructure is essential to boost trade and attract bilateral investment, reinforcing regional integration as a key driver of shared prosperity.

Mayor of Ndola’s Remarks

Reaffirming the city’s commitment to industrial growth and investment, His Worship Mayor Jones Kalyati highlighted ongoing improvements in infrastructure, urban renewal projects, and reforms designed to ease the cost of doing business. He emphasized that strategic urban planning, combined with coordinated public-private sector action, is key to unlocking Ndola’s full potential, noting that a thriving Ndola requires shared responsibility.

Committee Chair’s Remarks

Mr. Steven Sikobela, Chairperson of the organising committee, expressed appreciation to the forum’s partners, sponsors, and collaborating chambers of commerce from both Zambia and the DRC. He highlighted the forum’s role as a practical platform for mobilising investment, facilitating knowledge exchange, and aligning public and private sector priorities to foster innovation, sustainable economic activity, and long-term industrial growth.

Panel Discussion

Building on this vision, a panel moderated by Mr. Joseph Malisawa featured CEOs and senior executives from Zanaco, Sanlam, FNB, Access Bank, Zaffico, Kafubu Water and Sanitation, ZAMPOST, and C. Steinweg Bridge. Panelists shared insights on sustainable financing, SME credit access, and policies to de-risk investment, while showcasing Ndola’s commitment to renewable energy, low-carbon manufacturing, and innovative waste management solutions.

Conclusion

Through interactive Q&A sessions and networking, participants exchanged ideas and forged actionable partnerships, reinforcing key themes of private sector-led development, regional collaboration, value addition, and strategic use of local resources. The event demonstrated that collaboration between government, private sector, and international partners is pivotal to unlocking new economic opportunities.

Echoing Mrs. Diana Kabaila’s words, she stated:
“As Ndola and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we commend government’s development agenda across all sectors countrywide. And as private sector we stand ready to complement government’s efforts to take advantage of Ndola’s strategic position as a commerce and logistics capital of the region, and fast track industrial clean green investments and infrastructure. The time to act is now. Let us together unlock our city’s development potential and build the future, we are indeed stronger together.”