An estimated 15,000 to 30,000 Chinese people live in Zambia; an official count in 2014 recorded 19,845. According to MOFCOM, there were 3,291 Chinese contract workers in the country at the end of 2024 [1]. Most live in Lusaka, in Ndola and Kitwe in the Copperbelt, and in Livingstone in Southern Province, and work in construction, mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and farming [1].
This page covers the community’s size and locations, the main chambers and hometown associations, Chinese hospitals and banking, and the Chinese Embassy’s contact details.
Size and history
Zambia has not published a recent count of its Chinese population. This site uses an estimate of about 15,000 to 30,000, based on the 2014 official figure of 19,845; see Chinese population in Africa for sources and comparisons. MOFCOM reports that Chinese companies sent 1,121 workers to Zambia in 2024, with 3,291 Chinese contract workers there at year-end [1].
Ties go back decades. Since 1978 Henan Province has sent medical teams to Zambia, now on its 25th team, and in September 2024 the leaders of China, Tanzania and Zambia witnessed the signing of an MoU to revitalise the TAZARA railway [1]. More than 600 Chinese companies operate in Zambia, mainly in mining, manufacturing, construction, tourism, farming and services [1]. MOFCOM notes that as numbers grew, Chinese residents formed their own community and hometown associations, and their economic and social standing has risen with closer bilateral ties [1].
Where Chinese residents live and work
| Area | Main activity |
|---|---|
| Lusaka | Capital and economic centre, about 3.32 million people in 2024 [1]. Chinese company head offices, trade, building materials (CNBM industrial park 19 km south-east of the city) and the Lusaka park of the Zambia-China zone [1]. |
| Copperbelt (Kitwe, Ndola, Chambishi, Luanshya, Chingola) | Copper mining and smelting. CNMC has invested more than US$2.6 billion, running the Chambishi mine, the Chambishi copper smelter, the Luanshya mine and others [1]. The Chambishi park of the Zambia-China zone has 68 companies [1]. |
| Farming | Projects such as the China-Zambia Friendship Farm, the Zhongken farm and the Zhongyang eco-agriculture park near Lusaka [1]. |
| Livingstone | Tourist town in Southern Province, listed by MOFCOM as a main Chinese hub [1]. |
For business rules see registering a company in Zambia.
Chambers and associations
China Chamber of Commerce in Zambia
Founded in 2005, registered in Zambia and approved by China’s Ministry of Commerce, it was set up by Chinese companies under the guidance of the embassy’s commercial office. As of April 2024 it had 73 member companies in mining, construction, finance, manufacturing, telecoms, farming and media [1]. It advises members on Zambian law, coordinates their business and represents them with Zambian authorities [1]. Address: 30A Kudu Road, Kabulonga, Lusaka; tel. 00260-963-075763 (per MOFCOM) [1].
Main community associations
Associations listed in the 2025 MOFCOM guide [1]:
- Zambia Association for the Peaceful Reunification of China
- Zambia Overseas Chinese General Association (赞比亚华侨华人总会)
- Zambia Chinese General Chamber of Commerce
- Association of Chinese Mining Enterprises in Zambia
- Jiangxi, Fujian and Henan hometown associations
- Sichuan-Chongqing, Northeast China, Jilin and Shandong hometown associations
- Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce
- Chinese Women’s Federation of Zambia
- Overseas Chinese Young Entrepreneurs Association of Zambia
The Zambia Overseas Chinese General Association has helped the embassy handle the aftermath of recent killings of Chinese nationals [3]. The embassy also runs a network of consular volunteers; in December 2025 it held a community security meeting and appointed a new group of volunteers [4]. For crime risks see Zambia safety.
Chinese hospitals and the medical team
Zambia is short of doctors, with about 700 nationwide. Two private hospitals are Chinese-run: Zambia International Hospital and Fortune Hospital (福泰医院) [1]. The Chinese medical team works at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (built with Chinese aid), the University Teaching Hospital, Ndola Central Hospital and Livingstone General Hospital [1]. The medical team, military doctors and community associations run an emergency medical response group for Chinese nationals [1].
Banking and Chinese-language services
Bank of China (Zambia) Limited, set up in 1997, has branches in Lusaka and Kitwe, exchanges renminbi and kwacha directly and accepts immigration fee payments [1]. Address: Plot No. 2339, Kabelenga Road, Lusaka; tel. 00260-211-238686/238688 (per MOFCOM) [1]. StarTimes runs a pay-TV business in Zambia [1].
We have not yet verified the names of Chinese-language newspapers, websites, WeChat groups or Chinese supermarkets in Zambia, so none are listed.
Chinese Embassy in Zambia
The Chinese Embassy is in Lusaka, with the consular section at the same address [2].
| Address | No. 7430 United Nations Avenue, Long Acres, Lusaka, Zambia (P.O. Box 31975) |
|---|---|
| Website | zm.china-embassy.gov.cn |
| Consular applications and collection | Monday to Friday 9:00-11:30 |
| Consular document enquiries | 0211 256028 (weekdays 9:00-11:30, 14:00-17:30) |
| 24-hour consular protection | +260 977 790 322 |
| Consular email | consulate_zmb@mfa.gov.cn |
| Economic and commercial office | zm@mofcom.gov.cn; zm.mofcom.gov.cn |
The consular section handles Chinese passports and travel documents, Chinese visas, notarisation and marriage registration [2]. The old enquiry number 0977771277 was discontinued on 1 May 2025 [5]. For passport renewal see renewing a Chinese passport in Africa, and for more on the country see the Zambia guide for Chinese residents.
References
- Country Guide for Outbound Investment and Cooperation: Zambia (2025 edition) (MOFCOM, 2025)
- Contact details of the Chinese Embassy in Zambia (Chinese Embassy in Zambia, 2024)
- Notice on the killing of a Chinese national (Kitwe farm robbery) (Chinese Embassy in Zambia, 2025)
- Embassy meeting on community security and consular volunteers (2025) (Chinese Embassy in Zambia, 2026)
- Notice on discontinuing the embassy’s old enquiry line (Chinese Embassy in Zambia, 2025)