World Factbook
Zambia
Republic of Zambia
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: green field with a soaring orange eagle in the upper-right corner; a panel of three vertical bands is under the eagle, in red (left side), black, and orange meaning: green stands for the country's natural resources and vegetation, red for the struggle for freedom, black for the people, and orange for the country's mineral wealth; the eagle represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems
Capital
name
Lusaka
etymology
named after a village with a headman (chief) called LUSAAKAS
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
15 25 S, 28 17 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
only if at least one parent is a citizen of Zambia
citizenship by descent only
yes, if at least one parent was a citizen of Zambia
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years for those with an ancestor who was a citizen of Zambia, otherwise 10 years residency is required
Constitution
history
several previous; latest adopted 24 August 1991, promulgated 30 August 1991
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly in two separate readings at least 30 days apart; passage of amendments affecting fundamental rights and freedoms requires approval by at least one half of votes cast in a referendum prior to consideration and voting by the Assembly
Country name
former
Northern Rhodesia
etymology
name is derived from the Zambezi River, which flows through the western part of the country and forms the southern border with Zimbabwe
conventional long form
Republic of Zambia
conventional short form
Zambia
Independence
24 October 1964 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, deputy chief justice, and at least 11 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 11 judges)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeal; High Court; Industrial Relations Court; subordinate courts (3 levels, based on upper limit of money involved); Small Claims Court; local courts (2 grades, based on upper limit of money involved)
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the advice of the 9-member Judicial Service Commission, which is headed by the chief justice, and ratified by the National Assembly; judges normally serve until age 65
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by president from among members of the National Assembly
chief of state
President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021)
election results
2021 : Hakainde HICHILEMA elected president; percent of the vote - Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 57.9%, Edgar LUNGU (PF) 37.3%, other 4.8% 2016 : Edgar LUNGU reelected president; percent of vote - Edgar LUNGU (PF) 50.4%, Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 47.6%, other 2%; note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government
President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021)
most recent election date
12 August 2021
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 24 October (1964)
National color(s)
green, red, black, orange
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls
Political parties
Alliance for Democracy and Development or ADD Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD Party of National Unity and Progress or PNUP Patriotic Front or PF United Party for National Development or UPND
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
167 (156 directly elected; 8 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
National Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
44420
expected date of next election
August 2026
percentage of women in chamber
15%
parties elected and seats per party
United Party for National Development (UPND) (82); Patriotic Front (PF) (60); Independents (13); Other (1)
National anthem(s)
title
"Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free)
history
adopted 1964; the melody, which comes from the popular song "God Bless Africa," a popular song and anthem in southern Africa
lyrics/music
multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA
National symbol(s)
African fish eagle
Administrative divisions
10 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 332-0826
chancery
2200 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 234-4009
chief of mission
Ambassador Chibamba KANYAMA (since 30 June 2023)
email address and website
info@zambiaembassy.org https://www.zambiaembassy.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[260] (0) 211-357-224
embassy
Eastern end of Kabulonga Road, Ibex Hill, Lusaka
telephone
[260] (0) 211-357-000
mailing address
2310 Lusaka Place, Washington DC 20521-2310
chief of mission
Ambassador Michael C. GONZALES (since 16 September 2022)
email address and website
ACSLusaka@state.gov https://zm.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction