Zambia Market Access with Type Approval

Zambia Type Approval Summary

Zambia is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic telecommunications markets in Southern Africa. This is evidenced by a mobile penetration rate exceeding 100% and growth driven by the adoption of data services and mobile financial services.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the mobile network operator market in Zambia is projected to be worth approximately USD 637.86 million by 2026. The market is further expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.31% through 2031.

With an area of 752,617 km² and a population of approximately 22.4 million people, Zambia is a highly attractive African market to explore. Manufacturers and importers looking to enter this market need to be aware of the applicable compliance requirements.

These compliance requirements are known as “ZICTA Type Approval.” ZICTA stands for the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority, the regulatory body overseeing the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Zambia.

This regulatory body was established under the Information and Communications Technology Act No. 15 of 2009. Under this law, ZICTA is also responsible for regulating the Postal and Courier Services sector in the country.

Within the scope of type approval, ZICTA’s responsibilities include establishing technical requirements, evaluating submitted devices, and issuing type approval certificates.

Obtaining a ZICTA Type Approval Certificate is an essential step for manufacturers and importers seeking to enter the Zambian market. This allows manufacturers and importers to gain a foothold in one of the fastest-growing telecommunications markets in Southern Africa.

Certification Authority

Authority: Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA)
Certificate: ZICTA Type Approval
Certification: Mandatory
Official website: https://www.zicta.zm/Last accessed 23 October 2026

Who Can Be an Applicant?

Local representative: Not required

In Zambia, local and foreign manufacturers may apply as the applicant for type approval certification. Suppliers and distributors may also act as representatives of foreign manufacturers in their capacity as certificate holders. However, those who act as local representatives must be authorized distributors or suppliers.

Application Method

In-country testing: No
Paperwork only: Yes

Equipment intended for import into Zambia—whether for use or sale—must meet the technical standards established by ZICTA. The equipment must undergo testing to obtain a test report demonstrating such compliance.

The test is not mandatory in a local laboratory. The applicant can use the test report issued by an accredited testing laboratory. This refers to a laboratory recognized by ZICTA in accordance with the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and ISO 17025 standards and listed on the Authority’s website.

Then, the test report and all required documents must be submitted via email or by mail to the ZICTA Head Office address.

Type Acceptance

ZICTA also accepts approval for equipment that has already received a certificate from a recognized foreign regulator or a Conformity Assessment Body that has entered into a mutual recognition agreement with the Authority. This process is known as Type Acceptance.

Applicants are not required to attach a test report. However, they must attach a certificate of conformity from the National Regulatory Authority or a Conformity Assessment Body. Applicants are also no longer required to affix the Authority’s label (provided there is a label or mark of conformity from the relevant authority).

Local Testing

In general, there is no requirement to conduct local testing. However, in some cases, the Zambian Authority may require applicants to test electronic communication devices for type approval purposes. If necessary, ZICTA will require applicants to have the devices tested by an independent laboratory approved by the Authority, with the costs borne by the applicant.

Sample Requirements

If it is determined that the device requires local testing, the authorities will request samples of the electronic communication device and its corresponding accessories. The number and type of samples depend on the device’s features and the authorities’ requirements.

Document Requirements

An application shall be accompanied by the following documents:

Completed application form
Certificate of conformance issued by a National Regulatory Authority or a Conformity Assessment Body (for type acceptance scheme)
Test reports issued by accredited test laboratories (for type approval scheme)
Full name and mailing address of the manufacturer of the equipment and/or the Applicant
A declaration of conformity
Technical and operational documents of the equipment including user and installation manuals
Circuit diagram, printed circuit board layout, part list and other relevant design information
External and internal photographs of the equipment

Submission process

Submission: Online and offline

There are two submission processes to apply for type approval certification in Zambia: offline and online submission.

Offline Submission:

An applicant shall submit a complete application physically to the ZICTA Head Office: The Director General, Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority, Plot No. 4909, Corner of Independence Avenue & United Nations Road. P.O. Box 36871. Lusaka, ZAMBIA.

Online Submission:

An applicant shall submit a complete application electronically to the email: spl@zicta.zm.

Lead Time of Certification

Lead time: 5-15 days

Lead time for ZICTA certification by paperwork method takes around 5 to 15 days as of the date the application was received. If local authorities request local testing, the wait time will increase by several weeks.

Validity Period

Validity: Permanent

ZICTA certificates have an unlimited validity period as long as there are no changes. An Applicant may apply for modification approval where the equipment has undergone modification that changes its technical characteristics, is renamed and/or rebranded. A holder of a type approval certificate that has changed shall notify the Authority within 14 days of the change.

Label Requirements for Zambia Type Approval

Product label: Required
Approval mark: Required
E-labeling: Not allowed

Manufacturers, distributors, importers, or suppliers must ensure that certified electronic communication devices are equipped with clearly legible labels.

They must ensure that the label is always visible and clearly legible. The label must be affixed to the electronic communication device, its packaging, and included in the user manual. If this is not feasible, alternative methods may be used to display the label, provided they have been approved in writing by the Authority.

ZICTA Label

The characters shall appear in black print against a white background.
Blue colour code: C: 100; M:100; Y: 0; K: 0
Black colour code: C: 0; M: 0; Y; 0; K: 100
No character shall be less than 2mm in height.
The word “ZICTA” shall be at least 3mm in height. The size ratio of all the characters and symbol shall be maintained relative to ZICTA.
Where “ZMB/ZICTA/TA/YYYY/..” appears shall be substituted the registration type approval certificate number allocated by ZICTA to the concerned equipment model.

A manufacturer, distributor, importer or supplier shall ensure that a label is affixed on an electronic communications before it is imported, supplied, sold, offered for sale or leased.

Alternative Country Names

Republic of Zambia, Sambia, Zambie, Zambija, Замбия, ザンビア, 잠비아, ZM

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