Zambia Begins Construction of $1.1bn Ndola Refinery
Last update: April 14, 2026
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The project, developed through a China-linked joint venture, is expected to create thousands of jobs and reduce Zambia’s heavy reliance on imported refined petroleum products.
Zambia has officially begun construction of a $1.1 billion oil refinery in Ndola, marking one of its most significant energy infrastructure investments aimed at reducing dependence on imported fuel and strengthening industrial capacity.
The facility is being developed by the Zambia Petrochemical Energy Company (ZPEC), a joint venture between China’s Fujian Xiang Xin Corporation and the country’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Located in the Copperbelt province, a key mining and industrial corridor near the Democratic Republic of Congo border, the refinery is expected to play a central role in supporting fuel demand from heavy industries.
Construction commenced on April 10, with completion targeted for the end of 2028. Authorities estimate the project will generate more than 2,200 jobs during the construction phase, with an additional 600 direct and over 2,000 indirect jobs expected once operations begin.
At full capacity, the refinery is projected to process about 3 million metric tons of crude oil annually, equivalent to roughly 60,000 barrels per day. Officials say this output should be sufficient to meet Zambia’s current domestic fuel requirements, while also creating potential for future exports to neighbouring markets.
Energy Minister Makozo Chikote said the project will support mining and other fuel-intensive sectors, which form the backbone of Zambia’s economy. He also noted that the integrated complex will go beyond refining to include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottling, bitumen production and lubricant blending, expanding the country’s value-added industrial activities.
CBI News reports that the government has described the refinery as a signal of investor confidence and has urged developers to prioritise skills transfer and workforce training for Zambians.
Zambia spent approximately $2.11 billion on imported refined petroleum products in 2024, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity, with Singapore, Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates among its major suppliers. The new facility is expected to significantly reduce this import bill over time and reposition the country within regional energy trade flows.
