The Zambia Statistics Agency (Zamstats), with the support of the World Bank and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, will implement the Zambia component of the SADC Regional Statistics Project. The Project aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of SADC and participating countries to produce, disseminate, and use quality statistics while increasing regional harmonization and regional collaboration. The Project is envisaged to run from 2023-2028.

In Zambia, the Project broadly aims to (i) improve the production of quality national statistics that are, to the extent possible, harmonized with statistics produced in other
countries in the region; (ii) enhance the availability of quality national statistics; and (iii) improve the use of quality national statistics.

Project Implementation Unit

The Zambian component of the Project will be implemented through a Project Implementation Unit (PIU), which is envisaged to be housed in Zamstats. The Agency
therefore, seeks to recruit the following personnel to fill up positions in the PIU.

Download the advert to see the job requirements:

The cumulative total trade from January to March 2024 was K120.0 billion while that of 2023 for the same period was K103.1 billion, representing a 16.4 percent increase (see Figure 4)

 Figure 4: Cumulative Total Trade, Jan-Mar (2024 and 2023), K’ Billion

Total Exports and Imports by Mode of Transport, Jan-Mar, 2024

The total value of exports via all modes of transport for the period,  January to March 2024 was K60.6 billion. Road transport accounted for the highest value at K27.9 billion representing 46.1 percent. Air transport was second with K1.6 billion (2.6 percent) and Rail transport was third with a value of K1.5 billion (2.4 percent). Other modes of transport accounted for K29.6 billion (48.9 percent).

The total volume of exports via all modes for the period,  January to March was 2.3 million Mt, of which Road transport accounted for the highest volume with 1.2 million Mt, representing 54.5 percent. Rail transport accounted for 8.6 thousand Mt, representing 0.4 percent. Air transport accounted for 1.0 thousand Mt (0.04 percent), while other modes accounted for 1.0 million Mt (45.1 percent) (see Table 8).

Table 8: Total Exports by Mode of Transport, Jan-Mar,2024

The total value of Imports via all modes of transport for the period of January to March was K59.4 billion. Road transport accounted for the highest value with K31.7 billion representing 53.3 percent share, followed by Air transport at K3.4 billion (5.8 percent). Rail transport was third with K0.2 billion accounting for 0.3 percent of the total import bill. Other modes of transport accounted for K24.1 billion (40.6 percent).

In terms of volumes, a total of 1.7 million Mt of imports was recorded in the period, January to March 2024, of which Road transport accounted for 898.6 thousand Mt, representing the highest share at 52.0 percent, followed by Rail transport which accounted for 40.7 thousand Mt, representing a share of 2.4 percent. Air Transport was third accounting for 3.1 thousand Mt (0.2 percent), while other modes accounted for 784.0 thousand Mt (45.4 percent) (see Table 9).

Table 9: Imports by Mode of Transport, Jan-Mar, 2024

On a monthly basis retail prices between March 2024 and April 2024 showed that the national average price of a 25 kg bag of Breakfast Mealie Meal increased by 0.99 percent from K322.37 to K325.56.  The price of a 25 kg bag of Roller Mealie Meal increased by 1.85 percent from K273.91 to K278.97.

The monthly national average price of a 20-litre tin of Maize Grain fell by 2.78 percent from K186.15 to K180.98.

On an annual basis, retail prices between April 2023 and April 2024 showed that the national average price of a 25kg bag of Breakfast Mealie Meal increased by 60.48 percent from K202.87 to K325.25 while that of a 25 kg bag of Roller Mealie Meal increased by 67.23 percent from K166.82 to K278.97.

The annual national average price of a 20-litre tin of Maize Grain increased by 64.77 percent from K101.16 to K180.98  (see Table 7).

Table 7: National Average Prices for Selected Products April 2023 to April 2024

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Of the overall 13.8 percent annual inflation, Lusaka province contributed the highest at 3.5 percentage points followed by Copperbelt which contributed 2.9 percentage points. Central and Southern provinces contributed 1.8 and 1.7 percentage points, respectively while Northwestern province had the lowest contribution of 0.4 percentage points (see Table 4).  Table 4: Provincial Contribution to Overall Annual Inflation April 2023- April 2024 (% points).

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The overall monthly inflation for April 2024 was recorded at 1.0 percent from 1.2 percent recorded in the previous month. This outturn was mainly attributed to price movements in selected food items (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Overall Monthly Inflation, April 2023- April 2024

Monthly Inflation Rates for Food and Non-Food Items

Monthly food inflation rate for April 2024 was recorded at 1.0 percent compared with 2.4 percent recorded in March, 2024. This means on average prices of goods and services decreased by 1.0 percent between March 2024 and April 2024. This development was mainly attributed to general price movements of Meats (Brisket, Mixed Cut, Mince Meat, Plain Pork Sausages,  Pork Chops, Goat Meat,); Fruits (Oranges, Lemons,Water Melon,Avocado’s, Groundnuts); and Vegetables (Pumpkin Leaves, Chinese Cabbage, Okra, Impwa, Pumpkin, Sweet potatoes).

Monthly non-food inflation rate for April 2024 was recorded at 1.0 percent compared with -0.3 percent recorded in March 2024. This means on average prices of non-food items increased by 1.0 percent between March 2024 and April 2024. This was mainly attributed to increases in prices of non-food items such as Pharmaceutical Products (Andrews liver salt,Magnesium Trisilicate, Fansider, Tetracycline, Asthma Cure (Salbutamol), Eye ointment (Tetracycline), Multivitamin); Other personal effects (Suitcases, Umbrellas,Coffin for an adult); Parcel delivery local, cost of internet services, Photocopying and Hammer milling charge.

Table 5: Overall Monthly Inflation Rate for Food and Non-Food Items, April 2023- April 2024 (%)

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Annual inflation for April 2024 increased to 13.8 percent from 13.7 percent recorded in March, 2024. This means that on average, prices of goods and services increased by 13.8 percent between April 2023 and April 2024 (see Figure 1). This development was mainly attributed to price movements of selected food items.

Figure 1: Annual Inflation Rate, April, 2023- April 2024 (%)

Annual Food and Non-Food Inflation

Annual food inflation for April 2024 was recorded at 15.7 percent compared to 15.6 percent in the previous month (see Figure 2). This means on average, prices of food items increased by 15.7 percent between April 2023 and April 2024. This outturn was mainly attributed to increases in prices of Bread and Cereals (Breakfast & Roller Mealie Meal, Maize grain, Samp, Rice, Bread,  Wheat Plain Household Flour); Fish (Frozen Fish, Buka Buka, Fresh Kapenta, Dried Bream-Medium Sized-Opened, Dried Kapenta Mpulungu, Dried Kapenta Siavonga, Dried Kapenta Chisense); Vegetables(Rape, Pumpkin Leaves, Spinach, Cabbage, Tomatoes, Onion).

The annual non-food inflation for April 2024 remained the same at 11.2 percent. The 11.2 percent inflation was mainly attributed to increases in prices of non-food items such as Shoes and other footwear (Men Leather Shoes local, Ladies leather shoes, Ladies synthetic shoes, Boys School, Shoes, Girls School Shoes); Pharmaceutical Products (Paracetamol, Andrews liver salt, Magnesium Trisilicate, Fansider, Tetracycline, Asthma Cure (Salbutamol), Multivitamin); Cement and Charcoal.

Figure 2: Annual Food and Non-Food Inflation, April 2023- April 2024 (%)

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Figure 1: Quarterly GDP Growth Rates at Constant 2010 Prices, Q1 2021 – Q4** 2023

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates for the fourth quarter of 2023 show that the economy grew by 8.0 percent from 4.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022.  This represents 3.4 percentage points increase in growth compared to the same quarter in 2022.

These estimates are based on the year-on-year comparison of GDP at constant 2010 prices (see Figure 1).

Industry Contribution to the 8.0 % growth in Q4 2023

The growth was mainly attributed to the performance of the following industries: Information & communication (4.9%), Construction (1.5%), Wholesale & retail trade (1.2%), Financial & Insurance services (0.7%), Manufacturing (0.3%) and Transportation & storage (0.3%).

In contrast, Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing (-0.9%), along with Mining & quarrying (-0.9%), Electricity supply (-0.1) and Administrative & support service activities (-0.3%) had negative impacts on GDP growth. (see Table 1).

Table 1: GDP Growth rates 2023 Q1-Q4

The country recorded a trade Surplus of K1.9 billion in January 2024 compared to a Surplus of K0.7 billion in December 2023 (see Table 10).

Exports mainly comprising domestically produced goods, increased by 3.1 percent to K21.7 billion in January 2024 from K21.1 billion in December 2023. This was mainly on account of 27.0, 23.3, and 111.4 percent increases in export earnings from Raw materials, Consumer goods  and Capital goods, respectively (see Table 2.2 in Annex).

Imports decreased by 2.9 percent to K19.8 billion in January 2024 from K20.4 billion in December 2023. This was mainly as a result of a 10.2 and 2.7 percent decrease in import bills of Consumer goods and Intermediate goods, respectively (see Table 2.5 in Annex).

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• Vol-251-of-2024-The-Monthly-February.pdf

On a monthly basis retail prices between January 2023 and February 2024 showed that the national average price of a 25 kg bag of Breakfast Mealie Meal increased by 6.46 percent from K292.09 to K310.97. The price of a 25 kg bag of Roller Mealie Meal increased by 7.77 percent from K244.44 to k263.44 .

The monthly national average price of a 20-litre tin of Maize Grain increased by 8.12 percent from K159.84 to K172.82.

On an annual basis, retail prices between February 2023 and February 2024 showed that the national average price of a 25kg bag of Breakfast Mealie Meal increased by 57.98 percent from K196.84 to K310.97 while that of a 25 kg bag of Roller Mealie Meal increased by 61.84 percent from K162.78.19 to K263.44.

The annual national average price of a 20-litre tin of Maize Grain increased by 76.74 percent from K97.78 to K172.82 (see Table 7).

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• Vol-251-of-2024-The-Monthly-February.pdf

A disaggregation of the annual inflation by province shows that annual inflation during the month under review increased for; Central (15.8% from 12.6%); Copperbelt (12.8% from 12.6%); Luapula (13.1% from12.7%); and Western Provinces (20.6% from 15.5%). Annual inflation decreased for; Eastern (12.0% from 12.3%); Lusaka (13.3% from 13.6%); Northern (10.0% from 11.1%); North-western

(13.8% from 16.3%) and Southern Provinces (14.0% from 14.2%).  (see Table 3). 

Table 3: Provincial Annual Inflation Rates, February2023 – February 2024 (%)

Source: ZamStats, 2024

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• Vol-251-of-2024-The-Monthly-February.pdf