ZAMBIA
Payroll Outsourcing
Pay Your Talents in Zambia Compliantly.
Pay Your Team in Zambia. On Time. Everytime.
Ensure your team in Zambia is paid accurately and on time with our Payroll Outsourcing services.
Gain expert support to keep your operations fully compliant with Zambia's Labour Code and tax regulations.
- Pay anyone in Zambia - no matter the currency.
- Manage employee benefits easily. Get the support you need to navigate employee contributions in Zambia.
Flexible Payroll Solutions in Zambia
Payroll solutions that adapt to your needs whether you are established or growing in Zambia.
Zambia Payroll expertise at your fingertips
Over more than a decade, Africa HR Solutions has become a leading payroll service provider in Zambia and across Africa with a proven track record of success with over 400 clients across many industries.
A single point of contact
Avoid unnecessary headaches and mistakes - manage everything from a single point of contact. Your dedicated account manager is always available to assist with any queries you may have.
Self service portal for your talents in Zambia
Give your team the tools they need to easily manage their payslips, leave allowances, and other claims. Powered by SAGE, the employee self-service portal will make their lives easier.
100% Compliant payroll operations
Ensuring your operations are carried out compliantly is a must. From country-specific employee contribution to tax policies, we make sure your company is up to code with Zambia legislation at all times.
Zambia Country Overview
Geographic location: Zambia lies in a central position in southern Africa surrounded by quite a number of countries. It is a landlocked country between Angola in the west, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe in the south, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania in the east, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the north.
Population: While English is Zambia's official language, its inhabitants speak a myriad of indigenous languages.
Economy: Zambia is a low-income country. Its predominant sectors are agriculture and mining which account for most of its gross domestic product (GDP) earnings. Rich in natural resources, Zambia also enjoys a politically stable environment.
.
Payroll in Zambia - What You Should Know
Country Profile - Zambia
- Population: 22,521,915
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $41.24 billion
- GDP Growth: 4.3%
- Inflation, consumer prices: 6.6%
- Foreign Direct Investment (% of GDP): ~4.7%
- Unemployment Rate: 5.9%
- Capital: Lusaka
- Currency: Zambian kwacha (ZMW)
- Languages: English (official), Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, Chewa, and many others (over 70 languages total)
Social Security Contributions
Employer Contribution
- 5% of the employee’s gross earnings must be contributed to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
- Additional mandatory contributions to Workers’ Compensation Fund (rate varies by industry/risk).
Employee Contribution
- 5% of the employee’s gross earnings must be contributed to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
Consumption Taxes
- Value-added tax (VAT)
VAT: The standard VAT rate is 16%.
Working Hours and Employee Benefits
Paid Time-Off
Employees are generally entitled to 24 days of paid annual leave.
A full-time employee is entitled to at least 2 days of annual leave after one month of service.
Sick Leave
In Zambia, the maximum duration of a sick leave depends on the nature of the employment contract.
- On a short-term contract, an employee is paid fully for the first 26 days of illness and thereafter, paid at half rate (50%) for the next 26 days
- On a long-term contract, an employee is paid fully during the first three months of illness and thereafter, paid at half (50%) for the next three months
Maternity Leave
According to the Employment Code Act of 2019, women in Zambia are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave – 6 of which must be taken in the postnatal period.
In the event of multiple births (birth of twins or more), an employee can extend their maternity leave to 18 weeks.
Paternity Leave
In Zambia, men are entitled to 7 days of paid paternity leave.
Termination in Zambia
- In Zambia, an employee is entitled to termination notice or payment in lieu of notice. This is not applicable to workers guilty of grave misconduct.
- The notice period is generally specified under the employment contract.
- The minimum notice period under the Labour Act is:
- 24 hours for a contract not exceeding 1 month
- 14 days for a contract ranging between 1 to 3 months
- 30 days for a contract of more than 3 months.
Any notice provided for a contract of more than 6 months must be in writing.
Severance Pay in Zambia
Severance pay in Zambia is regulated under the Employment Code Act of 2019 as “wages and benefits paid to an employee on contract termination.”
Compensation is as follows:
- Termination of an employment contract with a fixed duration: a minimum of 25% of the employee’s basic wages earned during the contract period.
- Termination of employment due to redundancy: 2 months’ basic wages for each completed year of service.
- Employee’s death in service: 2 months’ basic wages for each completed year of service.
Medical discharge: at least 3 months’ basic wages for each completed year of service.
Public Holidays in Zambia
- New Year’s Day
- International Women’s Day
- Youth Day (in Zambia)
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday
- Easter Monday
- Labor Day
- Africa Day
- Heroes Day (in Zambia)
- Unity Day
- Zambia Farmers Day
- Zambian National Day of Prayer
- Zambian Independence Day
- Christmas Day
While the content presented on this webpage is accurate as of the time of publication, it is imperative to recognise that the content is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal and/or tax advice. To obtain the most current and precise guidance, it is essential to verify specific details related to employment or compliance with our experts or consult your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). Africa HR Solutions Ltd. explicitly does not offer legal or tax advice. The information provided is general in nature, not tailored to a specific company or workforce, and does not reflect the service delivery of Africa HR Solutions in any given jurisdiction. Africa HR Solutions makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and disclaims any liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss resulting from the use of or reliance on the information.
Seeking a Reliable Payroll Partner in Zambia?
Pay your talents are paid on time and without error! Our team at Africa HR Solutions also provides your company the guidance you need to ensure that your operations comply with Zambia's labour Code and tax policies. Over the years, we have played a pivotal role in the expansion of over 400 clients across Africa by providing reliable HR and payroll and cross-border payment outsourcing solutions.
Value of Payrolls Processed Annually
Payslips Issued Annually
Payrolls Process Annually
Trusted by Inspiring Changemakers
Africa HR Solutions is for us everything what we have hoped for. Customer- and people oriented, fast and always willing to think along and find the best possible solution. We get professional services and an exceptional single point of contact.
Africa HR Solutions has been a great partner to our organisation, allowing us to quickly expand and operate in new markets while they flag and support management of compliance and risk issues. We now use Africa HR for support in some capacity in 8 of our geographic locations.
We really valued how quickly Africa HR set up an operational platform for our programme in Tanzania. The team were responsive over Teams and email and provided clear guidance on local employment requirements, which helped us structure delivery quickly and with confidence.
Africa HR is responsive, proactive, and accommodating, even with the time difference. In fact, it works in my favour - they have time to handle tasks before I start my day. Our payroll, especially in Senegal, is complex, but their attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile definitely stand out.
Africa HR has taken the stress out of compliance - we no longer have to worry about changing regulations. Their team is professional, knowledgeable, and always available. Payroll runs smoothly, which saves us valuable time and our staff appreciates being paid on time! Kudos to the team!
Simplify and manage your team's payroll in Zambia
From Lusaka to the Copperbelt, payroll in Zambia is managed with compliant NAPSA contributions, PAYE, and reliable pay runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is payroll outsourcing?
Payroll outsourcing is when a specialist partner manages salary calculations, tax deductions, and statutory filings on your behalf. This ensures employees are paid correctly and on time while keeping your business compliant with local laws.
How does tax outsourcing work?
Tax outsourcing covers the preparation, filing, and payment of employee and employer-related taxes. It reduces the risk of errors, missed deadlines, or penalties by ensuring all contributions are handled according to local regulations.
Why should I outsource payroll and tax in Africa?
Africa’s employment laws and tax frameworks differ from country to country. Outsourcing ensures compliance, saves administrative time, and avoids costly mistakes while giving you access to local expertise in multiple jurisdictions.
Can you manage payroll for both local and expatriate employees?
Yes. We manage payroll for both local hires and expatriates, including handling multi-currency payments, cross-border compliance, and special tax considerations.
How do you ensure compliance with local laws?
Our experts stay updated with labour codes, tax rates, and social contribution requirements in each country. We file directly with authorities, ensuring your business remains compliant at all times.
You May Also be Interested in:
Burundi
Ethiopia
Nigeria
Senegal
