# U.S.-Zambia Promote Commercial Projects

The United States and Zambia signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding on March 30, 2023, to promote U.S. private-sector participation in strategic commercial projects in Zambia. The MOU covers sectors including agriculture, energy, mining, manufacturing, healthcare, digital services, tourism, education, and transportation; it encourages transparent, sustainable procurement and identifies potential U.S. agency support and financing channels. It creates no funding obligation, guarantee of award, or procurement commitment, and commercial terms are to be negotiated directly by businesses and the Zambian government. Activities are intended to continue for five years from signature, through March 30, 2028.

- U.S. businesses can use the MOU as a framework for exploring Zambian projects across the named sectors, but should assess each opportunity and negotiate its commercial terms directly with relevant Zambian counterparts.
- The agreement identifies potential U.S. agency support and financing channels, not committed funds. The extracted entities also identify USTDA project-preparation support, USAID trade and investment activities, and a $350 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact; these are distinct programs, not guaranteed awards under the MOU.
- Procurement teams should distinguish the MOU’s broad policy framework from a solicitation or contract: it does not itself establish a competition, select vendors, or assure financing.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Digital Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 03, 2026

### Government Entities
- Government of the Republic of Zambia
- U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)
- U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
- U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

### 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=1793452364201) - 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=1793538719309) - 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=1793628692175) - ITA