The Copperbelt University
The Copperbelt University is Zambia's second-highest-ranked public university, headquartered in Kitwe with 12 schools across engineering, mining, medicine, business, and ICT, serving undergraduate and graduate students through four campuses and Ecampus distance learning.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersKitwe, Zambia
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Copperbelt University does
The Copperbelt University (CBU) is a public university established by Act of Parliament No. 19 of 1987 and headquartered at Jambo Drive Riverside, Kitwe, in Zambia's Copperbelt Province. It is the second highest ranked university in Zambia and operates 12 schools covering engineering, business, mines and mineral sciences, ICT, natural resources, medicine, built environment, humanities, mathematics, graduate studies, distance education, and peace and conflict studies, with the Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine in Ndola (established 2011) as Zambia's second public medical school. CBU delivers programs across four physical campuses (Kitwe, Lusaka, Ndola, Mpika) plus the Ecampus distance learning platform, with study modes spanning Day, Evening, Parallel, and Distance.
The university's technology stack includes the OPUS student information system (online applications, admissions, and student services), the KOHA-based library OPAC with over 65,000 volumes, an institutional repository (DSpace), and the Ecampus LMS. Research and innovation infrastructure comprises CBU-ORTARChI (Oliver R. Tambo Research Chair on Miombo ecosystem and mining restoration), CBU-ACESM (World Bank-funded Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining serving 9 African countries), the Mukuba UniPod innovation hub (Zambia's first dedicated innovation space, partnered with UNDP and Liquid Telecom), and the newly established Kafue River Basin Centre of Excellence (KRBCoE) and Mine Water Atlas of the Zambian Copperbelt (MWAZACO) project.
CBU's business model is a hybrid public-university revenue structure: parliamentary allocation and government student loans via HESLB (K1.2 billion loan allocation plus K300.5 million for hostel completion), tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs across multiple study modes, research grants and donor funding (World Bank, EU MOTION, IKI Germany FACE-NDC, NORHED, SASSCAL), corporate partnerships (e.g., FQM Kansanshi equipment donations), and commercial services via the Directorate of ICT (security, software development). The CBU Challenge endowment initiative and alumni network (80+ donors) add a growing private-philanthropy channel. Customers are primarily undergraduate and graduate students, with secondary stakeholders including the Government of Zambia, mining industry partners, and regional students from 9 African countries under ACE II.
The Copperbelt University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Copperbelt University
- Legal name
- The Copperbelt University
- Website
- https://cbu.ac.zm
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Copperbelt University is Zambia's second-highest-ranked public university, headquartered in Kitwe with 12 schools across engineering, mining, medicine, business, and ICT, serving undergraduate and graduate students through four campuses and Ecampus distance learning.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Copperbelt University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering (EDAHAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM)
Keywords
Where The Copperbelt University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kitwe
- HQ country
- Zambia
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices4 records
Markets served
The Copperbelt University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Academic Fees: The university generates revenue through tuition fees charged to undergraduate and postgraduate students across various programs including Day, Evening, Parallel, and Distance modes of study. Fees are paid through ZANACO bank branches using Bill Muster system.
- Government Funding and Bursaries: Government of Zambia provides student loans through the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HESLB). The university receives K1.2 billion allocation for student loans and K300.5 million for hostel completion.
- Research Grants and Donor Funding: The university receives funding from international organizations including World Bank (€173,000 for ELNAC project), European Union (MOTION project), and FACE-NDC project from IKI Germany. Additional support from NORHED and various development partners.
- Corporate Partnerships and Donations: Corporate partners provide equipment donations (FQM Kansanshi donated survey equipment), infrastructure development, and support through the CBU Challenge endowment fund.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Undergraduate fees for 2025/2026 academic year |
| Subscription | Annual | Government Student Loan Program |
| Subscription | Annual | FACE-NDC MSc Scholarship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Copperbelt University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Copperbelt University is a public higher education institution delivering undergraduate, postgraduate, and certificate programs across 12 schools (Engineering, Business, Mines, Medicine, ICT, Natural Resources, Built Environment, Humanities, Mathematics and Sciences, Peace Studies, Distance Education, and Graduate Studies). It offers programs in Day, Evening, Parallel, and Distance modes through campuses in Kitwe, Ndola, Lusaka, and Mpika, supported by research centres including CBU-ACESM, CBU-ORTARChI, and Mukuba UNIPOD innovation hub.
Product overview
The Copperbelt University offers a comprehensive suite of academic programs and institutional services across 12 schools. The university's technology infrastructure includes OPUS (student information system), ATLAS portal, eCampus distance learning platform, library services with OPAC and institutional repository, and specialized ICT services including security and software development. Research and innovation centers include CBU-ACESM (Africa Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Mining), CBU-ORTARChI research chair, and Mukuba UNIPOD innovation hub. The School of Information and Communication Technology provides programs in computing, networking, software development, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Undergraduate Degree Programs
- Postgraduate Programs (MSc and PhD)
- Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine Programs
- Distance Education and Open Learning Programs
- Cisco CCNA Training Programme
- CBU Library Services
- CBU-ACESM (Africa Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Mining)
Quantifiable outcome
- Second highest ranked university in Zambia
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Copperbelt University
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Copperbelt University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature4 records
The Copperbelt University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Mendelu University (Czech Republic)majorPartnership with Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic aims to strengthen global engagement through joint workshops and international relations development. Focus on improving academic collaboration and exchange programs.
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation)coreFAO leads the FACE-NDC (Facility for Action for Climate Empowerment to Achieve Nationally Determined Contributions) project consortium. CBU is one of five partners implementing climate action in forestry, agriculture, and energy sectors from 2023-2030 with €173,000+ funding from IKI Germany.
- UNESCOcorePartner in FACE-NDC consortium focused on enabling Zambian society to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions through climate-friendly behaviors and green economy transition.
- UNITARcorePartner in FACE-NDC consortium contributing to climate empowerment and capacity building for sustainable development in Zambia.
- University of Zambia (UNZA)majorPartner university in FACE-NDC consortium providing academic collaboration and research coordination in Zambia's higher education sector.
- SASSCALmajorSouthern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management funded the €173,000 ELNAC (Enhancing Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management under Accelerated Climate Change) project at CBU focusing on sustainable natural resource management.
- FQM Kansanshi Mining PLCmajorFirst Quantum Minerals Kansanshi Mining donated survey equipment to CBU School of Mines supporting practical training and education in surveying and geomatics.
- Oliver R. Tambo FoundationcoreEstablishment of CBU-ORTARChI (Oliver R. Tambo Research Chair Initiative of Environment and Development) focusing on integrated assessment of mining development and Miombo transformation in the Zambian Central African Copper Belt. The chair develops environmental management models and restoration approaches.
- UNDPmajorUnited Nations Development Programme partners with Mukuba UniPod innovation hub to support youth innovation and entrepreneurship in Zambia through technology incubation and skills development programs.
- Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)majorIUCEA is an institution of the East African Community supporting collaboration between universities across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan. CBU-ACESM benefits from regional networking and capacity building initiatives.
- Lions Club of NdolaminorService organization partnered with CBU to build the Pushpaben, Chimanial and Anilkumar Patel Multipurpose Facility Hall in Ndola.
- RUFORUMmajorRegional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture bringing its 22nd Annual General Meeting to Zambia in November-December 2026, hosted in collaboration with CBU.
- Kafue River Basin Centre of Excellence (KRBCoE)coreCBU established KRBCoE to strengthen research and interventions aimed at protecting the Kafue River Basin, one of Zambia's most important water systems.
- Ministry of National PlanningmajorStrategic partnerships with Ministry of National Planning on landscape projects in Eastern and Luapula Provinces led by Prof. Felix Kalaba for natural resources management.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Copperbelt University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- University of Botswana: Botswana's primary public university offering broad undergraduate and postgraduate programs including engineering and sciences. Comparable as a Southern African regional peer with similar public university funding model, though serving a different national market.
Broad incumbents
- Makerere University: Uganda's oldest and most prestigious public university with broad academic programs and regional research leadership. Comparable as a leading East African public university and regional academic anchor that CBU's ACE II and IUCEA partnerships position CBU alongside.
- University of Nairobi: Kenya's flagship public university with comprehensive programs and a leading position in East African higher education. Comparable as a regional public university peer across engineering, medicine, business, and sciences with similar scale and government funding dynamics.
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits): Leading South African research university with strong Schools of Mining Engineering, Engineering, and Health Sciences. Comparable to CBU in mining engineering expertise, research intensity, and corporate partnerships with the extractive industry, though operating at significantly larger scale.
- University of Johannesburg: Large South African comprehensive university formed from mergers including the former Rand Afrikaans University, with strong engineering and applied sciences. Comparable to CBU in technical/applied heritage, multi-campus structure, and mining-sector industry engagement.
- University of Cape Town (UCT): Africa's highest-ranked research university based in South Africa, offering comprehensive programs across all major disciplines. Comparable as a benchmark for research output, international partnerships, and academic prestige that CBU's Africa Centre of Excellence and ORTARChI research initiatives aspire to emulate.
Direct peers
- Mulungushi University: Another public university in Zambia offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs across similar disciplines. Directly competes with CBU for Zambian students, government funding allocations, and faculty within the same domestic higher education market.
- University of Mines and Technology (UMaT): Ghana's premier mining and minerals technology university with deep specialization in mining engineering, mineral processing, and petroleum engineering. Highly comparable to CBU's School of Mines and CBU-ACESM Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining mandate.
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST): Ghana's leading technical university with strong engineering, applied science, and mining-adjacent programs. Closely comparable to CBU given its technical/polytechnic heritage, applied sciences focus, and West African leadership role in technology and engineering education.
- University of Zambia (UNZA): The flagship and first-ranked public university in Zambia, headquartered in Lusaka. Directly comparable as the primary domestic public higher education peer across overlapping programs (medicine, engineering, business, natural sciences) and competing for the same government funding, faculty, and prospective students.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Copperbelt University social profiles
Digital presenceThe Copperbelt University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Copperbelt University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
The Copperbelt University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Copperbelt University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Copperbelt University
What does The Copperbelt University do?
The Copperbelt University is a public higher education institution delivering undergraduate, postgraduate, and certificate programs across 12 schools (Engineering, Business, Mines, Medicine, ICT, Natural Resources, Built Environment, Humanities, Mathematics and Sciences, Peace Studies, Distance Education, and Graduate Studies). It offers programs in Day, Evening, Parallel, and Distance modes through campuses in Kitwe, Ndola, Lusaka, and Mpika, supported by research centres including CBU-ACESM, CBU-ORTARChI, and Mukuba UNIPOD innovation hub.
Is The Copperbelt University a public or private company?
The Copperbelt University is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was The Copperbelt University founded?
The Copperbelt University was founded in 1987.
Where is The Copperbelt University based?
The Copperbelt University is headquartered in Kitwe, Zambia, in the Africa region.
How does The Copperbelt University make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Academic Fees are the primary driver. The others are government Funding and Bursaries, research Grants and Donor Funding and corporate Partnerships and Donations.
Who are The Copperbelt University's main competitors?
University of Botswana is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Makerere University, University of Nairobi, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), University of Johannesburg and University of Cape Town (UCT). Direct peers are Mulungushi University, University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and University of Zambia (UNZA).
Does The Copperbelt University have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Copperbelt University.
What industry is The Copperbelt University in?
The Copperbelt University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAJ, Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering, with a secondary code of EDAAALAM, Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE). Its NAICS code is 611310 and its SIC code is 8200.