By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) has released preliminary findings from the 2025 Economic Establishment Census (EEC), with results indicating that Lusaka, Copperbelt and Southern Provinces are driving Zambia’s economy, recording the highest distribution of establishments.
According to the findings, Lusaka alone is leading at 143,125, accounting for the highest share of 29.5 percent, while Copperbelt is second at 91, 960, accounting for a 19 percent share, with Southern Province at 45, 442, accounting for 9.45.
The preliminary results also show that the top five industries with the highest number of formal establishments were construction at 74%, human health 69%, real estate 68%, electricity 67% and education 66, while other service activities recorded the lowest count at 5%.
Findings further indicate that the formal establishments have increased from 18,418 in 2010 to 60,026 in 2025, while informal establishments rose from 48,324 in 2010 to 411,008.
Presenting the results in Lusaka, ZamStats Acting Statistician General Sheila Mudenda said the nationwide exercise covered all 1,858 wards and focused on mapping, counting, and profiling active economic establishments.
“A nationwide effort to map, count, and characterize every active economic establishment across all 1,858 wards is delivering the most comprehensive snapshot of Zambia’s economic landscape to date,” Ms. Mudenda said.
She explained that the primary objective of the census was to establish a Statistical Business Register that will serve as a reliable frame for future economic and business surveys.
“The objective of the 2025 Economic Establishment Census was to create a comprehensive list (Statistical Business Register) of active establishments and their characteristics, for statistical purposes which will be used as a frame for economic/business surveys,” Ms. Mudenda said.
The 2025 EEC provided a comprehensive snapshot of the distribution of business establishments operating within Zambia, capturing the full spectrum of economic activity, further broken down by size and industry.
The census covered businesses operating in permanent physical structures, excluding general government establishments and small household-based businesses, which are captured under separate household surveys.
Sectoral data shows varying levels of business formalization across industries, with financial and insurance activities recording 81 percent registration in one segment but significantly lower levels in broader counts.
Other sectors such as manufacturing, accommodation and food services, recorded relatively lower shares of registered establishments, highlighting the prevalence of informal activity.
Ms. Mudenda emphasized the importance of the findings in shaping policy and improving economic planning.
“The results will provide a critical evidence base for policy making, planning, and the design of targeted interventions aimed at improving business formalization and economic growth,” she said.
