The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), says its newly launched Zambia Investment Deal Room has attracted 202 investors seeking financing for projects across key sectors of the economy. Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka today, ZDA Director General, Albert Halwampa said…

The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), says its newly launched Zambia Investment Deal Room has attracted 202 investors seeking financing for projects across key sectors of the economy.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka today, ZDA Director General, Albert Halwampa said the digital platform, which became operational in mid-June this year, is connecting investors with local and international financiers to unlock funding for investment projects.

Mr Halwampa disclosed that 187 investment projects submitted through the platform are currently at various stages of review.

He further said 28 fund providers, comprising banks, development finance institutions and institutional investors, have already joined the platform to finance projects in sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing, tourism infrastructure and other priority industries.

Mr Halwampa explained that while ZDA has continued issuing investment licences to prospective investors, many projects fail to materialise because investors struggle to secure financing.

“The Zambia Investment Deal Room was developed to bridge this gap by providing a digital marketplace where investors seeking capital can directly engage with potential financiers from Zambia and around the world,” he added.

Mr Halwampa said investors and funding institutions that have already registered on the platform have begun engaging each other and discussing possible investment transactions, expressing optimism that successful deals will soon be concluded.

He also urged Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), artisanal miners, local entrepreneurs and large-scale investors to take advantage of the platform to access financing and grow their businesses.

Mr Halwampa further encouraged banks, development finance institutions and other investment funds to register on the platform and support the financing of commercially viable projects.

He described the Zambia Investment Deal Room as a long-term digital solution that is expected to transform investment financing in Zambia by improving access to capital and increasing the implementation rate of licensed investment projects.