Zambia has achieved a very good overall score of 81 points in implementing the 2023 EITI Standard, including two additional points for effectiveness and sustainability. EITI implementation has supported systematic disclosure and reforms related to critical minerals, beneficial ownership transparency and domestic revenue mobilisation.
However, further efforts are needed to strengthen contract and licence transparency, environmental oversight and accountability for the management of extractive revenues.
“Zambia has demonstrated how the EITI can support national priorities by strengthening transparency, informing reforms, and fostering dialogue on the future of its mining sector,” said EITI Board Chair Helen Clark. “As the country seeks to expand copper production and position itself as a key supplier of critical minerals, continued efforts to strengthen contract transparency, environmental accountability, and local revenue management will be essential to building public trust and ensuring that the sector contributes to sustainable development.”
Mining remains at the heart of Zambia’s economy. In 2024, the sector contributed 17% of GDP and 25% of government revenues. Copper dominates production, and the government aims to increase annual output to three million tonnes by 2031. Zambia is also positioning itself as a major supplier of critical minerals needed for the energy transition through initiatives such as the Lobito Corridor and regional value chain partnerships.
Supporting transparency and informed public debate
Zambia EITI (ZEITI) has made significant progress in improving public access to extractive sector information. Through its Fusion Portal and systematic disclosures by government agencies and companies, stakeholders have access to data on production, exports, revenues and licensing. This enables Zambia to publish data in open format and in a timely manner, ensuring sector information contributes to current policy discussions and public debate.
EITI implementation has also contributed to more informed public debate by leveraging local radio in outreach to engage citizens on extractive sector governance. Innovative tools such as the “G-factor” metric have helped explain how mining revenues contribute to public finances for both communities and the government, while EITI disclosures have informed discussions on critical minerals, local content and energy supply arrangements between mining companies and the state-owned utility ZESCO.
Strengthening governance as the sector expands
While the government has prioritised critical minerals as a driver of economic growth, opportunities remain to strengthen disclosures related to agreements, licenses and license allocation processes.
Strengthening transparency in these areas would support investor confidence and help ensure that major sector developments are subject to public scrutiny. Further efforts are also needed to strengthen beneficial ownership disclosures and improve transparency across the mineral value chain, helping citizens better understand who benefits from extractive activities and how investment decisions are made.
The Validation also highlighted opportunities to strengthen environmental accountability. Recent incidents, including the 2025 Sino Metals tailings dam spill, have intensified public interest in environmental oversight of mining activities. While Zambia has made progress in disclosing environmental information, greater transparency around environmental monitoring, enforcement actions and the management of the Environmental Protection Fund would help build trust and support informed public debate.
Ensuring that mining revenues translate into tangible benefits for citizens remains another priority. The Validation identified opportunities to improve transparency around subnational payments and the management of revenues allocated to mining communities. Strengthening disclosures on revenue flows and local development spending would help citizens better understand how extractive revenues are used and whether they contribute to local development outcomes.
https://eiti.org/news/zambia-achieves-very-good-score-eiti-implementation
