According to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS) […]

According to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS) June 2026 report, China emerged as Zambia’s largest source of imports in May 2026 after accounting for 28.7% of the country’s import bill valued at K6.6 billion. A further check on the report by the Zambian Business Times (ZBT) further revealed that road tractors for semi-trailers powered by diesel or semi-diesel engines were the largest imports from China, contributing 7.9% of imports from that country.

Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Copperbelt-based economist and policy analyst, John Ng’andu said China’s dominance is being driven by competitive prices, financing arrangements and infrastructure investments supported through Chinese partnerships. “There are three drivers, price competitiveness, financing and the Belt and Road infrastructure push, but while 28.7% is sustainable in the short term, in the long term it creates concentration risk because any shock in China affects Zambia directly,” said Ng’andu.

He added that the prominence of road tractors among imports is a positive sign because the country is importing productive equipment that can support the transport, mining, agriculture and construction sectors.

“Road tractors are capital goods, not toothpicks or phones, and that means we are importing equipment that can boost productivity, but the key issue is whether that equipment is creating value for Zambian businesses,” said Ng’andu.

 However, he warned that increasing imports from one country could widen the trade deficit, place pressure on local manufacturers and reduce longterm industrial employment if domestic industries are not protected.

“The solution is not to ban imports but to use tariffs and standards strategically while insisting on joint ventures so that assembly and manufacturing happen here,” said Ng’andu. Meanwhile, he noted that Zambia’s reliance on imports priced mainly in United States dollars exposes the country to exchange rate risks, adding that Government should negotiate more trade in the Chinese Yuan while expanding exports beyond copper.

 “China is not the problem, dependence without strategy is the problem, and Zambia must promote technology transfer, local assembly and increase non-traditional exports if these imports are to translate into sustainable economic growth,” said Ng’andu.

By Philip Sinkala