The establishment of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between Zambia and Zimbabwe presents a unique opportunity to deepen economic integration, enhance industrial cooperation, and unlock shared prosperity. As one of Zambia’s largest state-owned investment groups, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is strategically positioned to play a catalytic role in translating the BNC’s objectives into tangible economic outcomes for both economies. Through its subsidiaries, assets, and regional partnerships, the IDC can help foster industrial growth, facilitate cross-border investment, improve infrastructure connectivity, and strengthen energy security across the two countries.
One significant example of this cooperation is the entry of a Zimbabwean food processing company Glytime Foods, into the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (LS-MFEZ), an IDC subsidiary. By acquiring land, obtaining the requisite investment licences from the Zambia Development Agency, and committing to establish manufacturing operations in Zambia, this investment highlights the BNC’s ability to stimulate intra-regional industrialisation. The project will broaden Zambia’s agro-processing capacity, create local jobs, increase value addition, and expand access to regional markets.
Energy cooperation—one of the highest-impact areas is also poised for meaningful advancement. Zimbabwe’s planned expansion of wheeling capacity will allow more regional power imports to transit through its network. This creates efficiencies and strengthens regional power trade flows. Furthermore, the various joint ventures under development in the power sector will expand renewable energy deployment, reduce supply deficits, and enhance long-term energy security for both countries.
Regional logistics and transport cooperation present another area where IDC’s portfolio can deliver economic value. The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL), an IDC subsidiary, together provide critical trade linkages along the North–South Corridor. Strengthened collaboration in rail operations, infrastructure rehabilitation, and traffic flow management will lower the cost of doing business, improve the movement of goods between the ports in the south and the Copperbelt and DRC in the north, and enhance the competitiveness of both economies. Efficient rail transport will also reduce reliance on road freight, lowering transport costs and minimising environmental impact.
Through its partnerships with Zimbabwean investors, utilities, and transport agencies, IDC can help build a more integrated regional economy characterised by higher investment flows, improved production capacity, enhanced energy reliability, and strengthened trade routes. These interventions will not only stimulate growth in Zambia and Zimbabwe individually but will also contribute to the broader regional development objectives of SADC and COMESA.
