By Cecilia Chiluba,Zambia,Lusaka
Zambia has approved the issuance of a Statutory Instrument (SI) to introduce a permit-based export system for sulphuric acid.
This is aimed at ensuring sustained availability for domestic industries following shortages experienced in 2025.
Sulphuric acid is a critical input used in the mining, manufacturing and agriculture sectors.
Zambia is a significant producer of sulphuric acid within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region.
Chief Government Spokesperson, and Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa said the permit-based export system was approved during the first Cabinet Meeting of 2026, held on Monday this week.
Mr. Mweetwa explained that the measure is intended to safeguard industrial output and support Zambia’s copper production and broader economic growth agenda.
He noted that in August 2025, the country experienced a shortage of sulphuric acid, which began to disrupt copper processing activities.
“In light of the unresolved shortage of sulphuric acid, Cabinet has decided, going forward, to utilize a permit-based export regulation mechanism, so as to address the critical issue of the local shortage of sulphuric acid,” Mr. Mweetwa stated.
The Minister revealed that during the same meeting, Cabinet also approved the Investment, Trade and Business Development Regulations, 2026, to be issued under the Investment, Trade and Business Development Act No. 18 of 2022, to streamline the establishment and operation of special economic zones.
According to Mr. Mweetwa, the regulations are expected to attract both domestic and foreign direct investment into priority sectors, while promoting industrialization, value addition, export promotion and employment creation.
He explained that since the enactment of the Act in 2022, no new regulations have been issued to provide the procedural framework required for the development and management of Special Economic Zones.
“If the current Act is to be fully implemented, there is need for new regulations to be issued, in order to revoke the old regulations premised on the repealed Zambia Development Agency Act No. 11 of 2006,” Mr. Mweetwa said.
“This will ensure alignment of the regulations with current legal standards, national economic policies and international best practices in zone development and management.”
