Halal is no longer a niche. Worldwide, the halal economy is forecast to reach US $3.3 trillion by 2029, fuelled by a growing Muslim population and rising demand for ethical, high-quality products.(researchandmarkets.com) Zambia’s share of that opportunity is expanding fast. With a strategically central location in Southern Africa, a young consumer base, and supportive macro-economic reform, the country is poised to become a regional halal hub over the next decade.
Drivers of Halal Demand in Zambia
| Driver | Why it matters |
| Demographic momentum | Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 250 million Muslims, creating a huge contiguous consumer base for certified goods and services.(rsisinternational.org) |
| Cross-over appeal | Non-Muslim Zambians increasingly choose halal products for their perceived cleanliness, animal-welfare standards, and traceability. |
| Global supply-chain expansion | Multinational producers are looking for new sourcing and distribution nodes in Africa; Zambia offers political stability and improving logistics.(rsisinternational.org, 6wresearch.com) |
| Certification visibility | Regional events and blockchain-based traceability tools make halal compliance easier to verify, boosting buyer confidence. |
Sector-by-Sector Opportunities
1. Food & Beverage
- Market trajectory: 6Wresearch projects Zambia’s halal market—food, cosmetics, pharma and more—to post double-digit compound growth through 2031.(6wresearch.com)
- Retail penetration: Supermarket chains in Lusaka and Copperbelt now dedicate shelf space to halal butcheries and processed foods, letting brands reach mixed households.
- Processed & organic surge: Demand is shifting from raw meat to snacks, dairy, ready-to-eat meals and even organic alternatives, mirroring global “clean-label” trends.
- Export play: Certified abattoirs give Zambian beef and poultry access to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) market—worth over US $1.9 trillion in 2025.(thebusinessresearchcompany.com)
Actionable gap: Cold-chain facilities around Lusaka SICD and the new Ndola airport cargo hub are still limited. Investors can win by financing halal-compliant refrigeration and distribution centres.
2. Islamic Finance
- Fast-rising asset class: Global Islamic finance approvals hit US $13.2 billion in 2024, a 12 % jump year-on-year.(developmentaid.org)
- Local runway: A dedicated Zambia Islamic Finance Market outlook (2025-2031) forecasts growth across sukuk, takaful and micro-finance niches, from a small base today.(6wresearch.com)
- Regulatory support: The Bank of Zambia’s sandbox allows Shariah-compliant fintech pilots, smoothing the path for digital Islamic banks.
- FDI magnet: Halal-compliant project finance can unlock Gulf and Malaysian capital for Zambian infrastructure, agriculture and real-estate developments.
Actionable gap: Train Shariah scholars and auditors locally; today most certification work is outsourced to South Africa or the UAE.
3. Halal Tourism
- Momentum event: The Halal Travel Network Mixer (London, April 2025) spotlighted Zambia’s effort to certify safari lodges, hotels and restaurants.(halaltravel.network)
- Unique selling points: Victoria Falls, 20 national parks and Big-Five safaris already attract high-spend visitors; adding halal kitchens and prayer facilities boosts stay length and spend.
- Market size: Halal tourism globally is expected to grow at ≈5.4 % CAGR through 2032.(marketresearchfuture.com)
- Regional differentiation: Competing destinations such as Kenya and Tanzania focus on beach packages; Zambia’s land-locked wildlife product offers a complementary—and less crowded—experience.
Actionable gap: Package design and digital marketing still lack Arabic-language content and online payment options.
Building a Regional Halal Hub
- Integrated Certification Centre
Establish a “one-stop” Halal Authority in Lusaka to coordinate standards, training and export documentation, reducing processing time for SMEs. - Blockchain Traceability Pilots
Use distributed-ledger systems to log animal welfare data and shipment records—enhancing trust with overseas buyers. - Cluster Development
Co-locate abattoirs, cold-stores, cosmetics labs and halal finance offices near the Lusaka Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) to cut logistics costs.
Key Challenges
- Fragmented certification: Multiple foreign certifiers create confusion and extra cost for local producers.
- Awareness gaps: Many SMEs still view halal as religious rather than commercial, missing out on broader consumer segments.
- Infrastructure limits: Inconsistent electricity and cold-chain capacity raise spoilage risk for meat exporters.
- Skilled-talent shortage: Few local auditors understand both Shariah and ISO 22000 food-safety standards.
Strategic Recommendations
| Stakeholder | Priority Action |
| Government | Fast-track the National Halal Policy; offer tax holidays for certified exporters. |
| Investors | Fund cold-chain and halal agro-processing plants near rail corridors. |
| Banks | Launch sukuk for agribusiness projects; partner with GCC investors for risk-sharing. |
| SMEs | Adopt international halal management systems (e.g., MS1500) and promote cross-label claims such as “organic” and “non-GMO.” |
Conclusion
Zambia’s halal economy sits at the intersection of booming global demand and the country’s own diversification agenda. By closing certification gaps, upgrading logistics and embracing Islamic finance, Zambia can transform halal from a niche label to a national growth engine—unlocking food exports, inclusive finance, and tourism receipts for decades to come.
