# 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 priority commercial projects in Zambia. This five-year framework, effective from 2023 through 2028, targets key sectors including agriculture, energy, mining, manufacturing, ICT, tourism, education, and transportation. Multiple U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce, USTDA, USAID, and the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), will provide cooperation, investment facilitation, technical assistance, and capacity building to support project development and financing. This initiative creates significant opportunities for U.S. contractors and investors to engage in Zambia's evolving market and infrastructure development.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the broad sectoral scope and multi-agency support, indicating diverse contracting opportunities in Zambia's commercial and infrastructure projects.
- U.S. companies can leverage this framework to access facilitated investment channels and technical assistance, enhancing competitiveness in Zambia's priority sectors.
- The involvement of agencies like USTDA and DFC suggests potential for project financing and risk mitigation support, critical for large-scale international contracts.
- Procurement planners should consider aligning proposals with the sectors and cooperation mechanisms outlined in the MOU to maximize eligibility and impact.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Information Technology, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles, Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 07, 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=1788441469439) - 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=1788181887094) - 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=1788614033951) - ITA