Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has recorded a conservative estimate of $1.65 billion United States Dollars in investments and over 9,500 jobs, in the first quarter of this year.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka, ZDA Director General Albert Halwampa, says that 70 percent of the realised investments is in the manufacturing and energy sector.

He said the agency recorded a cumulative $16.4 billion in actualised investments from 2021 to the first quarter and 109,488 in actualised Jobs, against a total committed investments of $92.01 billion.

Mr Halwampa however noted that the actualised investments remained highly concentrated in Lusaka Province, which nearly accounts for two-thirds of total realised investments and a high concentration of job creation in Manufacturing, followed by agriculture and Services.

He added that ZDA will continue supporting provincial expos and implementing other targeted interventions to promote a more balanced regional investment and unlock opportunities in underserved areas.

“Job creation is equally highly concentrated in Lusaka Province, accounting for nearly 90 percent  of total jobs actualised,” he said, “This underscores the need to promote more geographically balanced investment and employment outcomes, in line with the Government’s decentralisation and inclusive growth agenda.”

Mr Halwampa attributed the achievement to good leadership by President Hakainde Hichilema that has led to robust and consistent policies that promote investment and stable macroeconomic and fiscal policy fundamentals.