Last updated: Aug 28, 2026
Doing Business in Zambia: Market Entry, GTM Strategy & Growth Potential
Why Expand into Zambia
The population of Zambia is 22,521,916, and is growing at the rate of 2.72%. The GDP per capita, which represents the potential spending power of the people, is $4,573, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis to allow comparison with other countries.
46.37% of Zambia’s population lives in urban areas. 55.97% of the population is of working age (15-59). 29.7% of the population has internet access and 27.4% has 5G mobile coverage. These factors are important for digital-first businesses to keep in mind.
The Accuracast International Growth Index ranks Zambia #152 overall for market attractiveness, rising 3 places over the past year.
How we can help you grow in Zambia:
Accuracast offers a comprehensive range of international digital marketing services to support brands looking to grow their presence in Zambia. Whether you need an international SEO agency, an international advertising agency, or an international social media marketing agency specialising in Zambia, we’ve got you covered.
Zambia's International Growth Stats
| International Growth Pillar | Score |
|---|---|
| Market Demand | 48.05 |
| Purchasing Power | 32.99 |
| Digital Readiness | 46.69 |
| Financial Infrastructure | 41.39 |
| Regulatory Complexity | 44.35 |
| Setup Cost & Friction | 36.31 |
| Digital Search Demand | 36.24 |
| Cross-Border Activity | 35.49 |
| Overall Score | 39.24 |
| Score Change | 1.39 |
| Overall Rank | 152 |
| Rank Change | 3 |
Digital Search Demand
36.24%
Purchasing Power
32.99%
How Digitally Mature is the Market in Zambia
The digital search demand score for Zambia is 36.24.
Go-To-Market Strategy Considerations for Zambia
The purchasing power score for Zambia is 32.99, and the country scores 46.69 for digital readiness.
Financial & payment infrastructure
In terms of financial infrastructure, Zambia scores 41.39.
Regulatory & business setup friction
From a business expansion point of view, Zambia scores 44.35 for regulatory complexity and legal restrictions. This is reverse-scored, meaning the higher the score, the easier it is to navigate local regulation.
The score of 36.31 indicates the costs and friction associated with setting up a business presence in Zambia.
Zambia market attractiveness change
Compared to last year, the overall International Growth Index score for Zambia has changed 1.39 points, moving the country 3 places higher from 2025, to rank #152 in 2026.
Most Popular Social Media Platforms in Zambia:
- YouTube
- TikTok
What Are the Risks of Expanding into Zambia
While new market expansion can be exciting, it is important to also consider the risks when entering a market like Zambia.
How Does Zambia Compare to Other Top Markets?
| International Growth Pillar | Zambia Score |
|---|---|
| Market Demand | 48.05 |
| Purchasing Power | 32.99 |
| Digital Readiness | 46.69 |
| Financial Infrastructure | 41.39 |
| Regulatory Complexity | 44.35 |
| Setup Cost & Friction | 36.31 |
| Digital Search Demand | 36.24 |
| Cross-Border Activity | 35.49 |
| Overall Score | 39.24 |
| Score Change | 1.39 |
| Overall Rank | 152 |
| Rank Change | 3 |
| United States Score |
|---|
| 53.39 |
| 71.03 |
| 93.01 |
| 81.18 |
| 64.5 |
| 27.2 |
| 43.46 |
| 69.58 |
| 60.79 |
| 1.2 |
| 3 |
| 0 |
View market attractiveness data for other countries ranked like Zambia:
International Growth IndexMethodology
The Accuracast International Growth Index ranks countries according to their potential for international expansion. The ranking for Zambia is based on an overall score that’s calculated from a combination of the eight pillars of scoring listed above, which are based on 34 composite indicators such as digital demand, economic opportunity, market accessibility, digital maturity and regulatory complexity in Zambia. This provides a quick and easy way for businesses to compare Zambia against other countries and prioritise growth markets.
Learn more about the eight pillars and ranking methodology to get a better understanding of the scores above and their implications for your business.
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