Ndola lies between latitudes 120° and 160° south and between 250° and 30° east of the Equator. It has borders with three (3) districts namely; Masaiti, Luanshya and Kitwe and shares an international boundary with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the north. The City of Ndola has total land coverage of 1,108 km².
Ndola falls within the gently sloping Copperbelt peneplain at an altitude ranging from 1250 to 1455 above sea level. The District is characterized by undulating terrain of less than 10 slopes and is dissected by the Mwambashi, Muliashi, Kafubu and Luansobe Rivers, the principle drainage lines to the Kafue River. Though there are isolated highly outcrops at Dola, Nakaputa and Kaloko hills, the average elevation is 1200 m above sea level
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Forestry
Ndola district has total forest coverage area of 43,387ha forming about 39.2% of the total land area. The forest comprises of the exotic plantation area and the National forest reserves characterized by secondary regeneration. The exotic plantation areas are mainly managed by ZAFFICO and cover about 19,000ha.
Potential Investment Areas
Bee Keeping
The characteristic Miombo woodlands, presence of floral trees and good climatic conditions makes bee keeping for honey and wax production as a potential area of investment. Currently bee keeping is being practice on a small scale by farmers in Minsundu and Munkulungwe. However, if exploited at full potential, bee keeping is a profitable occupation which can be practiced at all ages.
Establishment of Plantation Forests
Currently ZAFFICO is the main supplier of timber and poles for industrial and domestic use. Establishment of private forestry plantation will contribute towards meeting the high demand for timber and poles.
Value addition to Forestry Products
The availability exotic forest to provide of raw materials for timber makes value addition to forestry product a potential area for investment in the district.
Market Potential
The existence of a huge demand for timber and other forestry products both locally and outside the district.
Tourism
The tourism sector still remains one of the key industries that haven’t been fully exploited in the district yet it has potential and opportunities to attract local and foreign investment which bring about social and economic development in the district.
ECONOMIC PROFILE
The economy of Ndola is diverse with major economic activities ranging from food processing; cement manufacturing, oil Refinery, Agriculture, forestry, quarrying, construction, transportation, hotel and tourism, financial, retail & wholesale and consumer services. As a result of the huge industrial base, the city hosts the international Trade fair during the first week of July every year and this gives local traders an opportunity to show case their merchandise to local and international markets. The event attracts international exhibitors from all over the world. Ndola has also seen unprecedented rise of infrastructural development such as shopping malls around the central business district as well as in a number of residential areas. This has created employment opportunities for many inhabitants of Ndola especially the youths.
In terms of employment, the majority of the population depends on the informal sector and the minority in the formal sector. The informal sector accounts for the largest proportion of employment estimated at 64.2 percent and informal agriculture employment accounts for 37.5% percent of population in the province.
Key Economic Sectors
a) Mining Industry:
Ndola has registered a steady increase of economic growth after suffering the impact of privatization that saw a lot of companies close or relocate to other towns. Ndola now boasts of a fast growing mining industry with the latest to be Zambezi Portland Cement, Lafarge Cement, Lime Company and dangotte cement. Ndola has vast amount of mineral deposits especially the copper ore which extends from the Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic Congo and passes through the Copperbelt. The existence of the copper deposits in the district creates investment opportunities in the copper mining industry.
b) Manufacturing:
The manufacturing sector of Ndola town is one of the top performing and also a priority sector in the development of the town. Ndola’s current base in this sector comprises of companies into food processing, beverages, wood processing, refinery, leisure, sporting equipment and agro-processing. The main activity being the cement processing.
c) Financial Sector:
Offering a wide range of financial services, there are currently over 8 registered commercial banks operating in Ndola District. These are ZANACO Bank, Stanbic Bank, Indo-Zambia Bank, Investrust Bank, Finance Bank, Cavmount Bank and Barclays Bank. Other firms that provide financial services in the district are Blue Financing, Bayport and Capital Solutions.
d) Insurance:
The district has 6 Insurance Companies that provides various insurance covers. The companies are Zambia State Insurance Company (ZSIC), Madison General Insurance, Professional Insurance, Goldman Insurance, African Life Insurance and Diamond Insurance.
e) Air, Road and Rail Transport
The Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola caters for both domestic and international flights. The Airport provides 26 domestic and 30 international flights per week.
f) Information Communication and Technology
The District has the following Media houses: Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS), Times of Zambia, Zambia Daily Mail, Post News Paper, Mission Press, Muvi TV, Copperbelt Broadcasting Services (CBS), Sun FM, Radio Ichengelo and Radio Phoenix. Komboni Radio and UCZ Radio stations are other radio stations expected to start operating in the district later in the year.