What U.S. Embassy Zambia does

The U.S. Embassy in Zambia is the official diplomatic mission of the United States in Zambia, operating under the U.S. Department of State and headquartered at Ibex Hill in Lusaka. The embassy delivers consular services — visa processing, passport issuance, notarial services, and 24/7 emergency assistance for U.S. citizens — alongside bilateral programming across health, security cooperation, economic development, agriculture, and education. Its core programmatic vehicles include PEPFAR (the U.S. government's HIV/AIDS response, contributing approximately $6.7 billion to Zambia since 2004), the Millennium Challenge Corporation's compacts (with the October 2024 Farm-to-Market Compact representing Zambia's largest-ever single grant), the Office of Security Cooperation (military training, peacekeeping support, and HIV prevention for the Zambia Defence Force), and exchange programs through the Public Affairs Section and U.S. Commercial Service trade facilitation.

The embassy has co-developed and deployed significant technology infrastructure, most notably the SmartCare national electronic health record system — originally built in 2005 to support HIV care and now expanded via the SmartCare Pro version to 406 health facilities across Lusaka, Copperbelt, and Southern provinces, with full national rollout to 1,605 facilities planned by September 2025. Related health information systems include laboratory information systems, commodities management information systems, electronic logistics management systems, and human resource information systems — all integrated under Zambia's National Digital Health Strategy 2022-2026. The mission also supports the Zambia National Public Health Institute's disease surveillance operations and contributed to the Public Health Emergency Operations Center in Lusaka.

As a U.S. federal government entity rather than a commercial enterprise, the embassy is funded through U.S. federal appropriations and Department of State fee schedules rather than through market revenue. It coordinates the work of multiple U.S. agencies in-country, including the CDC (established in Zambia in 2000), USAID, MCC, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, the Department of Commerce's U.S. Commercial Service, SelectUSA, and the U.S. Peace Corps (which has deployed over 2,600 volunteers historically). Current leadership includes Chargé d'Affaires Mich Coker, following Ambassador Michael C. Gonzales, with 82 employees supporting mission operations.

Name

U.S. Embassy Zambia

Legal name

U.S. Embassy in Zambia

Website

https://zm.usembassy.gov

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The U.S. Embassy in Zambia is the official U.S. diplomatic mission in Lusaka, providing consular services to U.S. citizens, processing visas for Zambian nationals, and coordinating multi-billion-dollar bilateral programming in health (PEPFAR, SmartCare), security cooperation, economic development (MCC compacts), agriculture, trade, and education under the U.S. Department of State.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Diplomatic Services

NAICS

National Security and International Affairs (928), International Affairs (928120), National Security and International Affairs (9281)

SIC

Foreign Governments (8888), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Diplomatic Missions & Embassies (Bilateral Relations) (BPAIAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Consular Services & Citizen Assistance (BPAIAIAB), Visa, Immigration Liaison & Travel Document Policy (Foreign Affairs) (BPAIAIAL), Bilateral Development & Aid Agencies (HLAJAKAB), Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE), Humanitarian & Disaster Assistance (Bilateral) (BPADABAB)

Keywords

• Diplomatic services
• Consular services
• Foreign assistance programs
• Visa processing
• US-Zambia bilateral relations

Headquarters

HQ city

Lusaka

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The U.S. Embassy in Zambia is the official U.S. diplomatic mission providing consular services to U.S. citizens (passports, emergency assistance, notarials) and visa processing for Zambian nationals. It coordinates U.S. foreign assistance programs—most notably PEPFAR (over $6.7 billion since 2004), Millennium Challenge Corporation compacts, security cooperation with the Zambia Defence Force, agricultural development, and educational exchanges (Fulbright, Peace Corps, Mandela Washington Fellowship).

Product overview

The U.S. Embassy Zambia website serves as the digital platform for a U.S. government diplomatic mission, providing information about consular services (visas, passports, emergency assistance for Americans), U.S. government programs in Zambia, and bilateral relations. The main programs include PEPFAR (HIV/AIDS response), SmartCare (national electronic health record system), the MCC Compact (development grants), and the Office of Security Cooperation. The embassy also facilitates U.S.-Zambia business relations through the U.S. Commercial Service and administers exchange programs. The website functions as an information portal rather than a commercial product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Consular Services Core embassy services including U.S. passport processing, visa adjudication, emergency assistance for Americans, notarials, and travel alerts for U.S. citizens in Zambia.
• PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) U.S. government program providing HIV prevention, treatment, and health systems strengthening in Zambia. Largest donor to Zambia's HIV response, contributing approximately $6.7 billion since 2004 and supporting more than 16,000 health system workers' salaries.
• SmartCare Electronic Health Records System Zambia's national electronic health record system co-developed with the U.S. Government since 2005. Originally designed for HIV care, expanded to encompass all areas of service delivery. SmartCare Pro deployment covers 406 health facilities across Lusaka, Copperbelt, and Southern provinces.
• Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact U.S. government development grant program for poverty reduction through economic growth. First compact (2013-2018) invested $355 million in urban water, sanitation, and drainage. Second compact (Farm-to-Market) targets the agricultural sector.
• Office of Security Cooperation (OSC) Embassy office that enhances the bilateral security relationship between the U.S. and Zambia through peacekeeping training, military training, support and services to the Zambian military, plus health assistance to government organizations. Programs include DHAPP (over $12 million annually), Global Peace Operations Initiative (over $9 million), and International Military Education and Training (over $6 million over 15 years).
• U.S. Commercial Service Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration providing trade facilitation services, Gold Key matching, market intelligence, and export assistance for U.S. companies seeking to do business in Zambia. Network of 100+ U.S. offices and 70+ international offices.
• STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) U.S. government enrollment program allowing Americans traveling or living abroad to register their trips with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, enabling emergency contact and safety updates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24-year increase in Zambian life expectancy since 2000
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ZambiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000CDC established an office in Zambia in 2000 working with the Zambian Ministry of Health, provincial health offices, and partners to address HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious diseases. CDC supports health systems strengthening, disease surveillance, and public health emergency preparedness.
• U.S. Peace Corps ZambiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeace Corps is a United States volunteer organization dedicated to grassroots development and economic growth in developing countries. Over 2,600 volunteers have lived and worked in communities across Zambia since the program's inception.
• Office of Security Cooperation (OSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSC at U.S. Embassy Lusaka enhances the long-term bilateral security relationship between the U.S. and Zambia. Programs include peacekeeping and military training through DHAPP (over $12 million annual budget), UN peacekeeping support (Global Peace Operations Initiative), and International Military Education and Training ($350,000 annual budget).
• PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEPFAR is the U.S. government's response to the global HIV epidemic. In Zambia, PEPFAR has contributed approximately $6.7 billion since 2004, supporting HIV prevention, treatment, and health systems strengthening.
• U.S. Commercial ServicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPart of U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, offering expertise in international trade through 100+ U.S. offices and 70+ international offices. Provides Gold Key matching service, market intelligence, and trade facilitation for U.S. companies exporting to Zambia.
• Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinks U.S. agriculture to the world through global network of 98 offices covering 177 countries. Staffed by agricultural attachés providing export opportunities, food security support, and advancing U.S. agriculture interests abroad.
• SelectUSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates job-creating business investment into the United States. Has facilitated more than $78 billion in investment creating and/or retaining over 95,000 U.S. jobs. Works with U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service to attract investment from Zambia.
• Zambia Defence ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral security cooperation including HIV/AIDS Prevention Program through DHAPP ($12M+ annually), UN Peacekeeping training through Global Peace Operations Initiative, and International Military Education and Training. One military officer assigned to Office of Security Cooperation.
• Kenneth Kaunda Peace Training Center (KKPTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerModernization and training support for UN peacekeeping operations. U.S. government invested over $9 million through Global Peace Operations Initiative supporting ZAMBATT training and KKPTC development. Eight iterations of Zambian Battalion trained for UN missions.
• Zambia Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership developing and implementing health information systems including SmartCare electronic health records. Joint development of data governance framework, health informatics curriculum, and national IT architecture expansion. Over $300 million invested since 2005.
• Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDC-supported public health institute focused on disease surveillance, emergency operations, and health security. Opened new Public Health Emergency Operations Center in Lusaka with U.S. support.
• Government of ZambiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner for MCC compact development. MCC CEO Alice Albright met with President Hakainde Hichilema and Ministers of Finance and Agriculture to discuss agricultural sector investments and policy reforms for the second compact program.
• Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture between Department of State and U.S. private sector created in 1985 to interact on overseas security problems. Establishes liaison between private and public sector security officials and provides security environment information for American private sector interests.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• British High Commission Lusaka: UK's diplomatic mission in Zambia delivering FCDO development programming, consular services, and trade promotion. Direct peer in the same host country with comparable bilateral mandate.
• U.S. Embassy South Africa: Largest U.S. diplomatic mission in Africa. Same U.S. Department of State operating model with PEPFAR, CDC, Commercial Service, and security cooperation programs — providing a useful scale and complexity benchmark.
• U.S. Embassy Nigeria: U.S. diplomatic mission in West Africa running PEPFAR at large scale, alongside security cooperation and trade facilitation. Highly comparable bilateral model with a focus on health and economic engagement.
• U.S. Embassy Tanzania: Neighboring East African U.S. diplomatic mission with overlapping PEPFAR, MCC, and health systems strengthening portfolios. Geographic proximity and shared regional priorities make program structure directly comparable.
• German Embassy Lusaka: Germany's diplomatic mission in Zambia, active in development cooperation (GIZ) and consular services. Direct counterpart operating in the same host-country environment with similar bilateral objectives.
• UNDP Zambia: UN Development Programme country office delivering governance, poverty reduction, and resilience programming in Zambia. Operates in the same bilateral space as the U.S. Embassy with complementary and sometimes competing mandates.
• U.S. Embassy Kenya: Another U.S. diplomatic mission in East Africa operating the same consular, PEPFAR, MCC, and security cooperation playbook. Comparable mandate, reporting structure, and program portfolio makes it the most directly comparable peer.
• Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Zambia: China's diplomatic mission in Zambia with significant focus on mining, infrastructure financing, and economic cooperation. A direct peer shaping the same bilateral relationship space and competing for Zambian government engagement.

Broad incumbents

• World Health Organization (WHO) Zambia: WHO's country office leads global health technical guidance, including HIV, malaria, and health systems strengthening that overlap with PEPFAR programming. Acts as a multilateral peer shaping the same Zambian health architecture.
• USAID Zambia: U.S. government development agency operating in Zambia with overlapping health, agriculture, education, and economic growth portfolios. Sister agency within the broader U.S. mission with substantially larger programmatic footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/u-s-embassy-zambia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about U.S. Embassy Zambia