Industry Guide: Logistics & Supply Chain Employment in Lusaka
An overview of the employment landscape, key hiring entities, and core professional pathways within the transport, warehousing, and trade facilitation sectors of Zambia’s landlinked capital.
1. Types of Jobs Available
- Logistics & Distribution Managers: Leadership roles responsible for overseeing fleet operations, optimizing delivery routes, managing budgets, and coordinating multi-modal transport networks.
- Supply Chain Analysts & Planners: Analytical professionals who evaluate supply chain workflows, manage inventory forecasting, and identify bottlenecks to streamline product movement.
- Customs Clearing & Freight Forwarding Agents: Specialized administrative personnel who prepare customs documentation, calculate duties, and liaise with border authorities to expedite cross-border cargo.
- Warehouse Supervisors & Inventory Controllers: Hands-on managers responsible for warehouse safety, cargo storage optimization, stock counts, and dispatch accuracy.
- Fleet & Transport Dispatchers: High-coordination operational roles focused on tracking truck drivers, managing transit schedules, monitoring fuel efficiency, and resolving breakdowns on major corridors.
2. Key Hiring Entities in Lusaka
| Hiring Entity | Focus Area | Key Offices / Location |
| Alistair Group | Regional road freight, heavy lift transport, and end-to-end industrial logistics | Sheki Sheki Road, Lusaka |
| Bolloré Transport & Logistics / CEVA | Multinational freight forwarding, customs clearance, and global air/ocean freight | Great East Road, Lusaka |
| Imperial Logistics / DP World | Consumer goods distribution, cold-chain operations, and third-party logistics (3PL) | Industrial Area, Lusaka |
| DHL Express Zambia | Global express courier services, e-commerce fulfillment, and last-mile delivery | Great East Road / CBD, Lusaka |
| Mano Consult / Local Forwarders | Boutique customs clearing, import-export advisory, and transit cargo handling | Lusaka |
3. Essential Recruitment & Hiring Information
- The Recruitment Process: Recruiting in logistics centers on operational efficiency and compliance. Technical roles—especially customs clearing—frequently subject candidates to assessments regarding tariff classifications, ASYCUDA World navigation, and international trade terminology. Fleet and warehouse management candidates are vetted for geographical knowledge of regional transport corridors (such as the Beira, Dar es Salaam, and Walvis Bay corridors) and emergency response planning.
- Legal & Professional Mandate: Under the Zambia Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (ZCILT) Act, it is a statutory requirement for professionals working in logistics, transport, and supply chain management to be registered with the institute. Additionally, customs clerks and clearing agents must hold recognized qualifications and be accredited by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to access clearing portals.
- Qualifications and Entry: While entry-level warehousing and dispatching roles are accessible with a Grade 12 Certificate or a basic diploma, climbing into corporate supply chain management requires specialized education. Highly regarded qualifications include diplomas or degrees in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or Purchasing and Supply, alongside professional certifications from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).