The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking to support Zambia’s investment, trade and industrialisation agenda.
ZDA Director General Albert Halwampa said sustainable economic transformation depends on policies informed by credible research and practical evidence to attract investment, improve industrial competitiveness and create jobs.
Mr Halwampa described the partnership as a strategic step towards generating research-driven policy solutions that respond to evolving global investment trends and the needs of the private sector.
“Our shared commitment is to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and ensure that economic development is underpinned by high-quality research, sound analysis and practical policy solutions,” he said.
He noted that ZDA’s mandate to promote and facilitate investment, trade and business development requires continuous analysis of emerging economic trends, investor behaviour, policy effectiveness and Zambia’s global competitiveness.
Mr Halwampa said the collaboration would combine ZDA’s practical experience in investment promotion and trade facilitation with ZIPAR’s research and analytical expertise to produce policy recommendations that enhance the country’s investment climate.
Mr Halwampa said the success of the partnership would be measured by the quality of research produced, the policies influenced, the investment attracted and the tangible development outcomes achieved.
Meanwhile, ZIPAR Executive Director Zali Chikuba said the MoU formalises a longstanding working relationship between the two institutions, which have previously collaborated on research relating to foreign direct investment, investment incentives and special economic zones.
Dr Chikuba said the partnership comes at a critical time as Zambia concludes the Eighth National Development Plan and begins preparations for the Ninth National Development Plan, which will guide the country’s development priorities in the coming years.
He emphasised that achieving Zambia’s development aspirations requires collaboration among institutions, noting that investment remains a key driver of production, trade, employment and economic growth.
Dr Chikuba added that stronger collaboration between researchers and investment promotion institutions would enable Government to formulate smarter, data-driven policies backed by reliable evidence.
The partnership is expected to strengthen policy formulation, boost investor confidence and support Zambia’s efforts to accelerate industrialisation, expand exports and achieve sustainable economic growth.
