Industry Guide: Construction in Lusaka
Lusaka’s physical landscape is undergoing rapid development. Driven by public infrastructure projects, industrial zones, and massive commercial developments, the construction industry is one of the most active sectors for technical, logistical, and manual employment in the capital.
1. Types of Jobs Available
Employment in the construction sector spans from high-level structural design to hands-on site management and skilled trade execution.
- Engineering & Technical: Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) Engineers, and Geotechnical Specialists. These professionals design systems, perform calculations, and sign off on structural safety.
- Project Controls & Surveying: Quantity Surveyors (responsible for budget estimation, bills of quantities, and cost control), Project Managers, and Planning Engineers.
- Site Supervision: Site Foremen, HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) Officers, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Inspectors.
- Skilled Trades: Certified Construction Electricians, Welders, Pipefitters, Plumbers, Heavy Equipment Operators, and Bricklayers.
2. Key Hiring Entities in Lusaka
The construction market in the capital features prominent multinational contractors, key local civil engineering firms, and specialized industrial builders:
| Hiring Entity | Focus Area | Notable Projects / Sector Focus |
| AVIC International | Large-scale public infrastructure, roads, housing units, and institutional builds | Major government roads and public facilities in Lusaka |
| Stefanutti Stocks Zambia | Tier-1 civil engineering, commercial concrete structures, and industrial builds | Large-scale retail shopping malls and premium office parks |
| Tomorrow Investments | Large-scale civil engineering, infrastructure development, and general building | Public sector civil works, municipal infrastructure, and road networks |
| Savenda Construction | Commercial buildings, landscaping, and specialized agricultural storage infrastructure | Storage structures for the agro-industry and public housing |
| Suscon Construction Solutions | Turnkey industrial, commercial, and specialized medical/hospital builds | Turnkey clinic/hospital designs and steel roofing infrastructure |
| Stantech Construction | Civil engineering, solar installations, road grading, and residential builds | Mid-to-large-scale private infrastructure projects across Zambia |
3. Essential Recruitment & Hiring Information
Succeeding in Lusaka’s construction industry demands strict professional compliance, safety-first technical training, and an adaptable approach to project-based employment.
The Recruitment Process
- How to Apply: Technical engineering and project management vacancies are typically published in national print media (Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia) and on local digital job boards (like jobsmuzambia.com). Trades and manual roles are frequently hired through subcontractor networks or site-level recruiting drives.
- Contract-Based Employment: Because construction projects have definitive lifecycles, many roles are offered on fixed-term project contracts. Building a reputation for delivering projects on time, within budget, and with a clean safety record is key to securing consecutive contract extensions.
Mandatory Regulatory Bodies & Licensing
To practice legally in Lusaka’s construction sector, technical staff must hold valid registration with national regulatory authorities:
Contractors and Construction Firms: All employers must be registered and graded under the National Council for Construction (NCC).
Engineers: Must be actively registered with the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) and licensed by the Engineers Registration Board (ERB).
Quantity Surveyors: Must be registered with the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board (QSRB).