Zambia Launches Study on Job Impact of Luangwa–Mwami Road Project

The study forms part of the ILO’s STRENGTHEN2 project, co-funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Zambia has officially launched the Employment Impact Assessment (EmpIA) for the Luangwa–Mwami Road, a key infrastructure link along the Nacala Corridor, providing new evidence on how major transport investments influence job creation and labour market outcomes.

The assessment was validated and launched on 4 March 2026 in Lusaka, bringing together representatives from government, labour organizations, development partners and the private sector.

The study forms part of the ILO’s STRENGTHEN2 project, co-funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Key Link in Regional Trade Corridor

The Luangwa–Mwami road is a critical segment of the Nacala Road Corridor, which connects Zambia to Mozambique through Malawi, supporting regional trade, transport efficiency and economic integration.

The STRENGTHEN2 project—running for five years and concluding in March 2026—helps African governments make better-informed investment decisions by measuring the employment effects of large infrastructure projects.

The initiative operates across nine sub-Saharan African countries: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal and Zambia.

Its main goal is to strengthen national capacity to assess how public investments influence job creation, labour conditions and local economic development.

Evidence-Based Planning for Job Creation

Speaking at the launch, Zambia’s Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba emphasized the importance of using data and evidence to guide infrastructure development and employment policy.

“Employment creation must be planned, measurable, and grounded in evidence,” she said.

“This assessment of the Luangwa–Mwami Road shows what is possible when infrastructure is designed with people and jobs in mind.”

Measuring Employment Outcomes

According to ILO Country Office Director for Zambia and Malawi Wellington Chibebe, the new assessment provides a detailed analysis of how the road rehabilitation has influenced employment trends along the corridor.

The study examines impacts on:

• Job creation and labour demand

• Wage levels and working hours

• Access to social and economic infrastructure

Chibebe explained that the research builds on an earlier assessment of the same corridor.

“The Luangwa–Mwami study is the second employment impact assessment of the corridor,” he said.

“The first assessment used satellite-based night-time lights to estimate economic and employment changes around the rehabilitated road.”

The new analysis combines Labour Force Survey data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to produce a more precise understanding of how transport investments affect local economies and access to services.

Workers and Employers Welcome Findings

Labour and business leaders welcomed the report, highlighting its value for shaping future development policies.

Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Blake Mulala said the findings demonstrate the importance of linking infrastructure investments with decent work opportunities.

“Workers benefit when infrastructure investments create decent, stable jobs,” Mulala said.

“Tools like the Employment Impact Assessment are essential for protecting workers’ welfare as development accelerates.”

Meanwhile, Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) President Myra Ngoma Sakala said the assessment provides useful insights for businesses planning investments along the corridor.

“Employers welcome this evidence,” she said. “It gives us clarity on labour dynamics and helps the private sector plan investments and skills needs along the Nacala Corridor.”

Strengthening Development Outcomes

The Employment Impact Assessment approach aims to ensure that infrastructure development generates not only economic growth but also quality employment opportunities for local communities.

By integrating employment analysis into investment planning, policymakers can better design infrastructure projects that deliver inclusive growth and sustainable labour market benefits.