The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has handed over the investment licence to China Zambia Petrochemical Corporation (CZPC), a Special Purpose Vehicle jointly established by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Fujian Xiang Xin Corporation (FJXX) for the development of a US$1.1 billion crude-oil refinery and integrated energy complex in Ndola.
The issuance of the licence means the project now transitions from planning into full-scale implementation phase following the MoU signed in July 2025 during the Invest Zambia International Conference. Ground-breaking is set to happen in the next few weeks, with the first phase expected to be operational in 2026.
IDC CEO Mr Cornwell Muleya described the handover as a decisive shift from commitment to execution, emphasizing the project’s role in strengthening energy security, reducing reliance on imported fuel, and advancing Zambia’s long-term industrialization goals.
“Through CZPC, we are driving a transformative venture that will create jobs, enhance national self-sufficiency and support long-term economic growth,” he said.
FJXX Chairperson Mr. Huang Tieming said the company was committed to deploying world-class engineering solutions in partnership with the Zambian government.
“We are honoured to advance this project into its implementation phase in partnership with the Government of Zambia through IDC,” he said.
ZDA Director General Mr. Albert Halwampa emphasized that the milestone reflects Zambia’s readiness to attract and support high-impact investments.
The refinery will process three million tonnes of crude oil annually — equivalent to about 60,000 barrels per day — enough to meet Zambia’s entire current fuel demand and position the country favourably within the regional export market.
At peak construction, the project will generate more than 2,200 jobs and later support over 600 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs once operational. It also includes skills-transfer programmes aimed at building local expertise in advanced petrochemical technologies. The integrated complex will catalyze growth in downstream industries such as LPG bottling, bitumen production and lubricant blending, while creating new opportunities for SMEs in logistics, maintenance, and specialized services.
For more details, see a full press release below.
