CZPC receives investment licence for Zambia oil refinery

The issuance of the licence means the project now transitions from planning into full-scale implementation phase following the MoU signed in July 2025 during the Invest Zambia International Conference. Ground-breaking is set to happen in the next few weeks, with the first phase expected to be operational in 2026.

IDC CEO Cornwell Muleya described the handover as a decisive shift from commitment to execution, emphasising the project’s role in strengthening energy security, reducing reliance on imported fuel, and advancing Zambia’s long-term industrialisation goals.

“Through CZPC, we are driving a transformative venture that will create jobs, enhance national self-sufficiency and support long-term economic growth,” Muleya said.

FJXX Chairperson Huang Tieming said the company was committed to deploying world-class engineering solutions in partnership with the Zambian government.

“We are honoured to advance this project into its implementation phase in partnership with the government of Zambia through IDC,” Tieming said.

The refinery will process 3 million tpy of crude oil – equivalent to approximately 60 000 bpd – enough to meet Zambia’s entire current fuel demand and position the country favourably within the regional export market.

At peak construction, the project will generate more than 2200 jobs and later support over 600 direct and 2000 indirect jobs once operational. It also includes skills-transfer programmes aimed at building local expertise in advanced petrochemical technologies. The integrated complex will catalyse growth in downstream industries such as LPG bottling, bitumen production, and lubricant blending, while creating new opportunities for SMEs in logistics, maintenance, and specialised services.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/28112025/czpc-receives-investment-licence-for-zambia-oil-refinery/