NCC Records 6.1% Growth in Contractor Registrations, Unveils 2026 Expansion Plan

By Daily News Reporter

Across Zambia’s towns and rural districts, the sound of hammers, graders and concrete mixers has become more than just background noise — it is the rhythm of a growing construction sector finding its confidence.

At the centre of this momentum is the National Council for Construction (NCC), which this week announced a 6.1 percent increase in contractor registrations in 2025, issuing 14,253 certificates, with an overwhelming 97 percent awarded to Zambian-owned contractors.

For a sector long dominated by large, established firms, the numbers tell a deeper story: local contractors are stepping forward, claiming space, and shaping Zambia’s infrastructure landscape.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, NCC Board Chairperson Paul L. K. Makasa described the growth as a reflection of deliberate policy shifts and expanded access to public projects.

Much of the increase, he noted, has been driven by small and medium-scale contractors participating in projects funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and routine maintenance works.

In districts where infrastructure development was once sporadic, local contractors are now building classroom blocks, grading feeder roads and rehabilitating clinics. For many of them, CDF projects have served as both a training ground and a launchpad.

Behind each certificate issued lies a small enterprise — often family-run — employing local artisans, bricklayers, electricians and machine operators. The ripple effects extend beyond construction sites, stimulating local economies and building community pride.

In 2025, the NCC intensified monitoring and enforcement activities, inspecting 613 projects nationwide and charging 34 contractors for regulatory infringements. The message was clear: expansion must go hand in hand with compliance.

Professor Makasa emphasized that regulation is not about punishment, but about safeguarding public resources and ensuring infrastructure durability.

“Quality construction ensures value for money and protects communities,” he stressed, noting that poor workmanship not only wastes public funds but endangers lives.

The council’s approach reflects a balancing act — encouraging new entrants into the industry while upholding professional standards.

Beyond registration and enforcement, the NCC has placed strong emphasis on capacity building. Through the National Construction School, over 600 participants were trained in construction-related skills in 2025.

In a sector where technical competence directly affects structural integrity, skills development remains critical. From site supervision to project management and artisan training, the council is working to professionalize the industry.

Makasa underscored that infrastructure sustainability begins with skilled hands and informed decision-making.

As Zambia accelerates infrastructure development — from roads to public facilities — the need for competent local contractors has never been greater.

The NCC plans to expand its geographical footprint by establishing new offices in Solwezi, Mongu and Mansa, bringing services closer to contractors in North-Western, Western and Luapula provinces. The move is expected to ease access to registration and compliance services, particularly for rural contractors.

Additionally, the council will resume its enhanced online registration system, designed to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability. The digital platform is expected to reduce paperwork, shorten processing times and limit opportunities for irregularities.

Industry stakeholders are also preparing for the BuildZambia Conference and Expo, scheduled for September 21–23, 2026. The event will convene contractors, policymakers, financiers and innovators to discuss infrastructure delivery, sustainability and emerging technologies in construction.

As Zambia continues to invest in roads, schools, hospitals and public infrastructure, the construction sector remains a cornerstone of national development.

The NCC’s latest figures suggest that the industry is not only growing, but localizing — empowering Zambian contractors to take a leading role in shaping the country’s built environment.

For Professor Makasa and the council, the vision is clear: a competitive, professional and quality-driven construction sector aligned with Zambia’s broader development goals.

In the hum of machinery and the steady rise of new structures, Zambia’s future is being built — one contractor, one project, one community at a time.