Expand your global workforce in Zambia
Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Zambia
Capital
Lusaka
Currency
Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages
English
GDP per Capita
$1453
Employer Tax
6%
Payroll Frequency
Daily, Weekly, or Monthly
Talent overview
Zambia is located in the Southern region of Africa and is famous for Victoria falls. The country holds a freedom score of 48.7, thus making the economy of the country 154th freest. Zambia ranks 36th out of 47th in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
Major economic hubs:
Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola
Skills in demand:
General Manager, IT professionals, Developers
Zambia
Top local universities in Zambia
University of Zambia
RANKING
Local: 1
World : 5044
The Copperbelt University
RANKING
Local: 2
World : 6403
Mulungushi University
RANKING
Local: 3
World : 7229
University of Lusaka
RANKING
Local: 4
World : 8824
Texila American University Zambia
RANKING
Local: 5
World : 9709
Top Local Job Boards:
JobsearchZM, JobwebZambia, Jobisland
Number of LinkedIn users:
612,300
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Where to find talent
Top Local Job Boards:
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users:
Number of LinkedIn users
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Salary Data
The salary data of Zambia for some of the common jobs are mentioned below;
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (ZMW) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| Financial Manager | 12,400 ZMW | 768.32 USD |
| General Manager | 10,800 ZMW | 669.18 USD |
| Business Development Manager | 9,530 ZMW | 590.49 USD |
| Financial Analyst | 7,620 ZMW | 472.14 USD |
| Business Analyst | 7,110 ZMW | 440.54 USD |
| Project Manager | 7,030 ZMW | 435.59 USD |
Employ in Zambia
Employing in Zambia
Before onboarding an individual, the employer must know about Zambia’s employment laws, benefits, social security, deductions, and allowances. This section has all the necessary information required.
Employee Contract:
The employment contract must be in English or any other language the employee and employer can easily understand.
Probation Period:
The probation period in Zambia is 0-3 months for newly hired employees.
Public and Provincial Holidays:
| Date | Name | Type |
| January 1 | New Year | National Holiday |
| March 8 | International Women’s Day | National Holiday |
| March 12 | Youth Day | National Holiday |
| April 18 | Good Friday | National Holiday |
| April 19 | Holy Saturday | National Holiday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday | National Holiday |
| April 28 | Kenneth Kaunda Day | National Holiday |
| May 1 | Labour Day | National Holiday |
| May 25 | Africa Freedom Day | National Holiday |
| May 26 | Day off for Africa Freedom Day | National Holiday |
| July 7 | Heroes’ Day | National Holiday |
| July 8 | Unity Day | National Holiday |
| August 4 | Farmers’ Day | National Holiday |
| October 18 | Prayer Day | National Holiday |
| October 24 | Independence Day | National Holiday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
Employee Leaves
| Type Of Leave | Number of Days | Mandatory |
| Annual Leaves | 24 days | Yes |
| Sick Leaves | 26-90 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leaves | 14 weeks | Yes |
Leave Compliance
Public and Provincial Holidays
Payroll in Zambia
Payroll cycle
The payroll cycle in Zambia is mostly Daily, Weekly, or Monthly.
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Zambia ranges from ZMW 1300 to ZMW 3,142.26.
Read more
Overtime pay
In Zambia, the overtime pay for work over 48 hours is one and a half times the regular salary. Work done on holidays is paid double the regular salary.
How taxes work
Employer Payroll Tax:
| Type of Contribution | Contributions |
| National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) | 5% |
| National Health Insurance contributions | 1% |
Employee Payroll Tax:
| Type of Contribution | Contributions |
| National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) | 5% |
| National Health Insurance contributions | 1% |
Employee Income Tax:
| Monthly Taxable Income
(ZMW, Zambian Kwacha) |
Tax Rate (%) |
| 0 to 5,100 | 0 |
| 5,100.01 to 7,100 | 20 |
| 7,10.01 to 9,200 | 30 |
| Above 9,200.01 | 37 |
VAT:
In Zambia, the standard rate of VAT is 16%.
Bonus
13th Month Pay:
There is no statutory law for 13th-month pay. However, the employer can choose to give the 13th and 14th-month pay.
Employee Benefits:
- Paid leaves
- Maternity leave
- Allowances
- Pension
- Healthcare
Employee offboarding
In Zambia, both parties can terminate the employment contract. However, both employer and employee must provide the reason for termination or notice period. The employer can terminate the contract based on misconduct or redundancy.
The notice period in Zambia is seven days to 3 months.
In Zambia, permanent employees are entitled to severance pay, 25% of the regular salary, as gratuity pay at the end of the employment.
Visa and
immigration
An individual must apply for an Employment permit to work in Zambia. The employment permit can only be issued if the employee enters the country to work more than six months exceeding ten years. The individual must submit all personal documents and the employment contract.
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Overtime Pay
Minimum Wage
| ategory | Monthly Basic Pay (ZMW, Zambian Kwacha) |
| Category I (a general worker not elsewhere specified; cleaner) | 1,487.00 |
| Category II (watchperson or guard) | 1,487.00 |
| Category III (assistant salesperson, packer, bookbinder | 1,801.98 |
| Category IV (driver, pump attendant) | 2,119.23 |
| Category V (typist, receptionist, telephonist) | 2,296.89 |
| Category VI (salesperson) | 2,680.92 |
| Category VII (qualified clerk) | 2,861.36 |
| Domestic Worker | 1,300.00 |
| Shop workers Grade I (handy person, office orderly) | 1,487.00 |
| Shop workers Grade II (driver, sales assistant, packer, hairdresser, beautician, waiter and bartender) | 1,801.98 |
| Shop workers Grade III (assistant bicycle assembler, assistant dispatch clerk, shelf packer, shoe repairer, tailor’s assistant) | 2,121.35 |
| Shop workers Grade IV (bicycle assembler, check-out operator, typist) | 2,296.89 |
| Shop workers Grade V (dispatch clerk, salesperson) | 2,680.92 |
| Shop workers Grade VI (audiovisual equipment repairer, machine operator) | 2,861.50 |
| Shop workers Grade VII (supervisor, window dresser, stenographer, cashier) | 3,142.26 |
Overtime Pay
Visa and Immigration