Market research

Coal market in Zambia

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

Earlier Report Observations

Zambia's coal production rose from 43 million US dollars in 2018 to 65.7 million in 2021, with market size increasing from 49 million to 64.6 million over the same period. This expansion occurred within a regulatory framework requiring environmental impact assessments for mining projects and with coal retaining a share in the national energy mix. The entry of new players, exemplified by Texxon Energies Limited receiving clearance for coal exploration in Sinazongwe District in 2021, signaled ongoing sector development.

Production declined to 53.5 million US dollars in 2022, and market size fell to 58.1 million. During this period, import and export values continued their upward trend, with exports reaching 9.7 million US dollars.

The market's structure was highlighted in 2023 by the strong financial performance of major producer Maamba Collieries Limited, which operates a modern coal processing plant and sought funding to expand its coal-fired power station. This contributed to export growth, which reached 17.8 million US dollars in 2024. Ongoing coal mining and thermal power projects, with environmental impact statements submitted to regulators in 2024, proceeded under a government energy policy that supports coal as part of the diversified energy mix.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In value
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Zambia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in value, 2018-2022, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Zambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production coal in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of coal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

The coal market in Zambia showed an unstable trend over the period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2020 with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia produced 446.2 K t of coal, marking a sharp increase of 33.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.4%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2018 at 73.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	73.5%	(7.4%)	33.2%	28.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Zambia's coal production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, coal output was valued at 62 038 K $ US, reflecting a strong gain of 22.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 186.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 42.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	98.2%	18.1%	22.3%	42.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports coal from Zambia

Exports in kind, K t

Zambia's coal export volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 44.2 K t of coal, representing a dramatic improvement of 304.0% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 8 251.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 337.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	510.3%	238.7%	304.0%	337.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominated Zambia's coal export structure in volume terms, accounting for 91.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Zambia in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Coal exports from Zambia increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Zambia exported 6 152 K $ US worth of coal, showing a sharp gain of 271.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 11 073.3%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 381.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	597.4%	331.9%	271.0%	381.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the nearly exclusive buyer of Zambian coal in value terms, taking 94.7% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Zambia in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports coal to Zambia

Imports in kind, K t

The coal import market in Zambia exhibited an unstable trend over the period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with an 11.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia imported 234.5 K t of coal, showing a substantial gain of 695.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 66.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	339.1%	(66.5%)	695.7%	127.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia's coal import structure in volume terms was highly concentrated, with Zimbabwe alone accounting for 98.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Zambia in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The coal import market in Zambia showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia's coal import value was 5 783 K $ US, reflecting a strong rise of 13.9% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 443 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 70.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US