Moving to Zambia

Living in Zambia as an expat

Located in Southern Africa, Zambia is a landlocked country of high plateaus, rugged mountain ranges and gorgeous grasslands teeming with diverse wildlife. It boasts a host of world-class game parks, nature reserves and abundant natural wonders, including the magnificent Victoria Falls and Zambezi River. Expats moving to Zambia with the right attitude and a spirit for adventure are in for a unique experience.

Zambia is sparsely populated, with most of the country’s population living in the capital of Lusaka, the mineral-rich Copperbelt region, or in Livingstone, the country’s second-largest city and a popular tourist hub.

Working in Zambia

Many Zambians still struggle below the poverty line, and while the Zambian government is attempting to diversify its economy, most of its income is still generated through copper mining and agriculture. Tourism is another major sector. As a result, few expats move to Zambia for casual or services-based work, with most working expats having been placed by international companies and organisations.

Expats will need both a visa and an employment permit to work in Zambia. There are short- and long-term employment permits available, with different processing times for each.

Working in Zambia
Visas and Residence Permits for Zambia

Local culture in Zambia

Those who are unwilling to give up some of their modern luxuries and necessities may struggle to adjust to living in Zambia. Poverty is one jarring aspect that expats from more affluent countries may not be used to. When doing business in Zambia, you’ll have to adjust to the local attitude toward time. Meetings and social gatherings frequently start late, so you should be patient when working with locals.

Expats of mostly British, Indian, and South African origin are present in the country. Increased Chinese investment in Zambia over recent years has also seen Chinese expats migrate to Zambia. Western expats are unlikely to struggle with a language barrier as English is the lingua franca of business and schooling, and most Zambians, particularly in the major urban centres, will speak English.

Business Culture in Zambia
Local Culture in Zambia

Finding accommodation in Zambia

Finding suitable accommodation in Zambia can be challenging if you’re going it alone. Fortunately, most expat employers sponsor their accommodation and utilities, which makes the process easier.

If you’re tasked with finding your accommodation, it’s recommended that you employ the services of a local real estate agent who is familiar with working with expats. You’ll likely rent a property in a cluster development, which usually has sought-after amenities like 24-hour security, swimming pools, gyms, and entertainment centres.

Renting Accommodation in Zambia

Cost of living in Zambia

The low cost of living means most expat salaries allow for a good quality of life in Zambia. Lusaka is considered one of the more affordable cities for expats, particularly compared to major global financial hubs.

Still, accommodation in Zambia can be expensive, especially for those not receiving employer-sponsored housing. The country also experiences frequent power shortages and water outages, so you will need to purchase and maintain generators.

Cost of Living in Zambia

Living in Zambia with children

Zambia is a family-friendly country, making it a largely wonderful country to raise children in. Expat children will likely enjoy a high-quality of life in the country. Families can explore the Victoria Falls and safari and wildlife parks scattered throughout the country on the weekends. Shopping malls also have a fair few activities to keep children entertained, with cinemas, play areas, and restaurants being particularly popular.

It’s recommended that expats purchase a comprehensive health insurance policy that will cover evacuation to neighbouring countries in emergencies. Employers will usually cover this cost, making life in Zambia more affordable for expats.

Healthcare and Health Insurance in Zambia

Finding a school in Zambia

Expat parents should note that government education is generally not up to international standards. There are excellent private and international schools located in the country that offer high-quality and globally recognised curricula, but these can be pricey. If you’re living in a rural area, you may also consider homeschooling as an option for your children.

Education and Schools in Zambia

Getting around in Zambia

Public transport in Zambia is largely inadequate. Expats will need to budget for the cost of running and maintaining a vehicle, as owning a car is the most convenient way to get around Zambia. Roads outside the major urban areas are typically unpaved, so a four-wheel drive car is often the best option. Drivers in the country can also be quite erratic, so defensive driving is essential in Zambia.

Transport and Driving in Zambia

Climate and weather in Zambia

The climate in Zambia is a far cry from the sweltering conditions you may expect. Despite its proximity to the equator, Zambia’s weather is fairly temperate thanks to its high altitudes. Zambia’s river valleys experience a typical tropical climate, which frequently comes with an oppressive rainy season between October and February, while low humidity and moderate temperatures are common in its elevated areas.

Climate and Weather Charts for Zambia

According to local expat lore, there are two kinds of expats in Zambia: those who make a hasty exit within three months, and those who never want to leave. Unlike other African expat postings, expats moving to Zambia have far more opportunity to break free of the segregated world of the expat compound and mingle with the locals to enjoy their friendly and warm spirit.

Fast facts

Population: Around 21.5 million

Capital city: Lusaka (also the largest city)

Neighbouring countries: Zambia is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola

Geography: Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Its terrain consists mostly of high plateaus, with some hills and mountains.

Political system: Unitary presidential constitutional republic

Major religions: Christianity

Main languages: English (official), Bemba, and Nyanja

Money: The Zambian currency is the Zambian Kwacha (ZMK), which is divided into 100 ngwee. Although you can open a bank account in Zambia, many expats opt to maintain an account with their international bank. While there are plenty of ATMs in Lusaka, you may struggle to find an ATM in the rural areas.

Time: GMT+2

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. Typically, square three-pin plugs and two- and three-pin round plugs are in use.

Internet domain: .zm

International dialling code: +260

Emergency contacts: 999 (police), 991 (ambulance), 993 (fire)

Transport and driving: Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. Public transport is not comprehensive, and expats will likely need to own a vehicle.