So says Inutu Zaloumis, MD of Pam Golding Properties Zambia, who tips that Zambia’s real estate sector is on course for growth: “Although economic growth softened somewhat from 7.6 percent in 2010, it remained efficient at 6.6 percent year on year in 2011 as growth was underpinned largely by agriculture, manufacturing, construction and the transport sector. This year (2012) Zambia is set to positively benefit from the $700 million Eurobond which will be used for infrastructure development across the country,” says Zaloumis.

She says steady year on year economic growth, foreign direct investment and investment in the real estate sector has seen the creation of jobs, increased access to housing and retail, office and industrial property in the commercial sector. While there are still challenges in the implementation of a deliberate, well-drawn expansion plan across all cities and towns, recent moves by the Zambian government to address this are expected to stimulate further growth of the real estate sector.

Zaloumis says increased investments from major economies such as China and South Africa, coupled with sustained investment in the mining and agriculture sectors are ensuring that the demand for residential and commercial – which includes industrial property, is on the upswing. The capital city of Lusaka has seen steady investment in both the retail and office sector in the last five years and while this may be on the decline in Lusaka, other towns and cities are opening up for similar investments.

“One of the major projects currently underway includes the US$100 million redevelopment of Society House in Lusaka’s centre. Well positioned in the heart of the business hub of Lusaka, Society House is set for a major refurbishment that once completed in 2014, will set the tone for regeneration of the capital city’s skyline. The redesign of Society House will see it comprise a 160-room 4-Star Holiday Inn hotel, conferencing, office space, a retail mall and 1 100 car parking garage. The building will have 8 000 square metres of retail space coupled with 6 000 square metres of office space, placing it right at the pulse of the city centre.

“But this goes beyond a mere restoration of the building - this and other projects highlight the new economic gains that Zambia is enjoying with factors such as high commodities prices, economic and social stability, together with increased investment flows, particularly from global players such as China,” says Zaloumis.

She says in Lusaka, the development of Roma Park is underway and looks to establish a new blueprint for economic, social and infrastructure growth in Zambia. At project maturity, the development will exceed US $100 million in investments. Launched in 2011, the 217 acre project is a mixed use development encompassing residential and commercial property across all sectors, including a shopping centre, big-box retail space, restaurant and conferencing facilities, warehousing, manufacturing and office space. Pam Golding Properties Zambia is marketing residential stands and commercial property in Roma Park. Prices of residential stands in Roma Park range from US$25 to US$40 per square metre.

Says Zaloumis: “This growth in the real estate sector is not restricted to the capital city. There is significant investment going into the North-Western Province which will see approximately 3 500 new residential units developed as investors such as First Quantum Minerals invest further into their mining operations in the province. With many projects either under construction or still being planned, annual copper production is estimated to reach 1.5 million tonnes within the next four years. Projects in the formative stage include Konkola Deep Mine, Mindola Synchlinorium, the Chambishi South ore body, and the US$1-billion Kalumbila Mine run by First Quantum Minerals. Others are Lumwana and Chambishi mines and the Kansanshi Copper Smelter.

“These investments will spill over into the development of retail, office and industrial real estate as the province looks to provide a self-sustained economy for its population. There is likely to be increased interest in the commercial sector on the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces due to the existing absence of structured retail property and as a result of the economic growth registered in other parts of the country. Areas such as the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces still have not been heavily invested into when it comes to retail and office property and Zambia is seeing these as two key growth areas for the local real estate sector in 2012 going into 2013.”

She says in 2012, Lusaka’s retail and office sector saw a total of 33 000 square metres of retail built with office space of approximately 10 000 square metres added, including the developments along Thabo Mbeki Road and Addis Ababa Roundabout. These developments have been a timely response to the absence of office parks and structured retail space in the country. “There has certainly been growth in Lusaka with a number of shopping complexes and office blocks being developed, however in 2012, Lusaka does not expect to enjoy as much growth as the past few years due to a large portion of the demand having being already met. However, as other parts of the country begin to open up, the growth of the property sector will continue to rise.

“Despite Zambia’s significant strides in the real estate sector, there remains a gap between the demand and actual supply of structured retail and office complexes in the country. The population in Zambia was reported at 11.97 million persons in 2009, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 2015, Zambia's population is expected to be 13.57 million people. This, coupled with consistent investments into the country, poses a challenge to developers as demand and the need for structured residential estates will increase on the back of population growth.

“Zambia still offers significant opportunities for growth as demand for retail and office complexes, as well as residential estates, needs to be met. The country remains on the cusp of sustained economic and population growth, two factors that are essential to investment in the sector,” she concludes.