About the Report

Zambia’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) represent a dynamic yet under-recognised driver of economic activity, youth employment, national identity, and social innovation.

Although historically framed as cultural or social sectors, the findings of this study confirm that CCIs are economically active, fiscally visible, and strategically relevant to the country’s long-term development aspirations, particularly in the context of economic diversification, constrained fiscal space, and high youth unemployment.

This research—building on and extending previous baseline work under the Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) initiative—provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of the economic contribution, structural characteristics, and development potential of Zambia’s creative economy.