Government Targets Middle-Income Status and Projects 6.4% Growth

The government has unveiled bold plans to grow the economy by 6.4% in 2026, with mining, farming, power supply and technology expected to lead the charge towards transforming the county into a middle-income nation.

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry says the country's economic blueprint for next year focuses on spreading prosperity more widely, with increased output across major sectors set to lift living standards nationwide.

Central to these plans is an ambitious push to produce over one million tonnes of copper, building on Zambia's reputation as a leading producer of the red metal.

On the farming front, government wants to see maize harvests exceed 3.7 million metric tonnes. New climate-smart approaches are expected to more than double irrigation-fed production to 1.6 million tonnes, helping cushion farmers against unpredictable weather patterns.

But perhaps most striking is the livestock sector target: government aims to earn US$1 billion from beef exports alone, a move that would firmly establish the nation as a serious competitor in both regional and international meat markets.

"This is a key milestone that positions Zambia as a competitive player in regional and global livestock markets," said Everness Nankala, principal public relations officer at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

To spread economic opportunities beyond mining, Ms Nankala explained that government is pushing ahead with energy reforms and a mix of power sources to tackle electricity shortages that have hampered businesses and households alike.

The country's energy security should improve significantly as 29 power projects currently being built come online. Officials project electricity generation will reach 2,600 megawatts by 2027 - a substantial boost to current capacity.

Yet the ministry admits significant hurdles remain. Climate change continues to threaten agricultural output, power shortages persist, and the economy still leans heavily on copper mining.

Even so, government insists it is committed to managing these risks through targeted reforms and faster efforts to develop other productive sectors of the economy.