Maximizing Your Vacant Land in Zambia: 10 Profitable Business Ideas to Consider

Dennis Chikwayi
4 min readJan 9, 2023

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Photo by Henning Borgersen on Unsplash

Many in Zambia are interested in buying land as an investment, and some have inherited certain land estates.

The viability and lifespan of investing in vacant land are frequently questioned. As vacant land appreciates over time, investing in it can be a profitable venture.

We are pleased with the government adding extra funds to the Constituency Development Fund in local authorities around the country. Now, people can use these funds to start businesses centered on land-based activities.

And if your property has a title, you can use it to apply for a bank loan and launch any of the ten business ideas I’ll list below to turn vacant land into a profitable venture.

Let’s look at the reasons you should invest in vacant land before we discuss the top 10 profitable ideas you should start on your vacant land.

  • Land investment is a long-term endeavor. Consider investing in vacant land if you want to generate long-term wealth. Over time, it can bring you enormous returns. Land that is vacant may increase in value over time, generating a substantial return on investment.

For instance, a tiny piece of land that has been acquired over time or inherited can be used for developing a farm, small apartments, or commercial property. The value of these assets increases.

  • You may either lease it out and make money from it over a lengthy period, or you can leave your vacant land for a while and wait for it to appreciate before you sell it for twice the original amount or put it on lease.

There is no excuse for leaving your house to sit empty considering this. Even if you haven’t decided what you truly want to do with your land, you can start making money from it right away.

The type of business you can do on your land, however, is only determined partly by a few factors.

You must consider the local zoning regulations, the property’s location and size, the process for legalizing the purchase of the land from the Ministry of Lands, and other factors.

Let’s now discuss the 10 potential business ventures you should think about starting on your vacant land.

Top 10 Business Ideas for Vacant land in Zambia

1. Farming

Zambia, in southern Africa, has an abundance of water bodies. The country offers a favorable climate for growing crops like rice, soya beans, vegetables, and maize. These crops can be grown on vacant land and sold locally or abroad.

2. Farm for solar energy

Zambia is ideal for solar panel farming because it receives a lot of sunlight.

On vacant land, solar panels can be installed to produce electricity for local use and to send any extra to ZESCO. Soon, this opportunity will be huge, especially now that we are experiencing difficulties with the development of hydropower.

3. Eco-Tourism

Lechwes, lions, elephants, hippos, gorillas, and other wildlife can be found in Zambia.

Undeveloped land can be transformed into eco-tourism amenities like safari lodges or campsites to draw visitors interested in experiencing the country’s natural beauty.

4. Outdoor Recreational Facilities

You can start an outdoor activities center on your vacant land and make a decent living doing it. To draw both tourists and locals, you can provide amenities like hiking trails, camping areas, or sports facilities.

5. Mining

Minerals like copper, cobalt, manganese, etc. are abundant in Zambia. Mining operations can be undertaken on vacant land. For instance, it is now common practice for locals in the Luapula Province to partner with foreign investors and get into mining ventures on enormous tracts of vacant land that contain manganese.

6. Real Estate Development

In Zambia, vacant land can be turned into residential or commercial buildings for sale or rent.

The single and small-family working class is currently very interested in residential properties such as one- or two-bedroom small apartments, whether in urban or rural locations.

7. Fish Farming

South of the equator, Zambia is home to many water bodies. Vacant land with water bodies can be used to build fish ponds or aquaculture systems to breed and rear fish for sale or consumption, including tilapias and catfish.

8. Organic Farming

Currently, organic goods and herbal remedies are popular. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of people are embracing herbal remedies and organic agricultural goods as part of their alternative health lifestyle.

On your land space, you can grow highly sought-after herbs like ginger, garlic, etc. You can also cultivate organic produce on your vacant land and sell it to nearby residents, as well as to businesses that make herbal and organic products.

9. Farming livestock

You can raise edible livestock on your vacant land, including goats, pigs, and cattle. Processed meats and other byproducts of cattle can bring you good earnings.

10. Beekeeping Farm

People are embracing organically harvested honey over other sweeteners, much like they do with organic products. Your vacant land can be converted into a beekeeping farm where you can produce and market honey and other bee products.

There you have it. These are the top ten profitable vacant business ideas for 2023 to get you started.

You must, however, get approval from the local and government departments before launching some of these businesses. Because not all businesses are permitted in non-industrial zones.

For some businesses, you will need to register with PACRA and get licenses and permits from the local government.

Lucky you! And to learn more about similar topics, visit this Medium page or get in touch with me on Webtalk.

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