# US and Zambia Launch Strategic Commercial Projects

The Governments of the United States and the Republic of Zambia have established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote U.S. private sector participation in strategic commercial projects across multiple priority sectors in Zambia. This five-year framework, effective from 2023 through 2028, targets sectors including agriculture, energy, mining, manufacturing, ICT, tourism, education, and transportation. The MOU outlines cooperation mechanisms and investment facilitation supported by several U.S. federal agencies such as the Department of Commerce, USTDA, USAID, and DFC to enhance trade, investment, project development, financing, and capacity building.

- **Why this matters:** This initiative creates significant procurement and investment opportunities for U.S. contractors and investors seeking to engage in Zambia's economic development projects.
- The involvement of multiple U.S. agencies indicates coordinated support for facilitating commercial projects, which may streamline contracting and partnership processes.
- Procurement professionals should evaluate opportunities in diverse sectors including infrastructure, energy, ICT, and manufacturing aligned with Zambia's strategic priorities.
- Companies can leverage this framework to establish or expand their presence in Zambia's evolving market, benefiting from government-backed facilitation and technical assistance.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Information Technology
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles, Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** August 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry
- Department of Commerce
- United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
- United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

### Key Quotes
> The Department of Commerce’s Global Markets unit, including the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is expected to work to facilitate and promote opportunities for U.S. businesses to participate in commercial projects developed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
> — Gina M. Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce

### Sources
- [MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PRIORITY COMMERCIAL PROJECTS IN ZAMBIA](https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/zambia%20mou%20033023.pdf?v=1788095959402) - ITA
- [MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PRIORITY COMMERCIAL PROJECTS IN ZAMBIA](https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/zambia%20mou%20033023.pdf?v=1787577111542) - ITA
- [MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PRIORITY COMMERCIAL PROJECTS IN ZAMBIA](https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/zambia%20mou%20033023.pdf?v=1788009178850) - ITA