…..reopening of the Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe a symbol of renewed hope, fulfilled promises, and the power of visionary leadership….
The Editor Zambia
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is this Thursday expected to reopen the US$140 million Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe, a landmark development set to create over 500 jobs and empower over 2,500 cotton farmers. 
The reopening of the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles (ZCMT) in Kabwe, following a 20-year closure, serves as a major economic catalyst, creating over 500 direct jobs, supporting 2,500+ cotton farmers, and modernizing Zambia’s manufacturing sector with AI technology.
The long dormant Mulungushi Textile Factory in Kabwe is finally set to resume full operations on Thursday, nearly 20 years after it closed and just ten months after the installation of new state of the art machinery.
The UPND government is yet again fulfilling its campaign promises to open the textiles plant that was closed for a long time.
The reopening of the textile company marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s Industrialisation agenda and underscores UPND government’s commitment to job creation and economic transformation.
The revival of Mulungushi Textiles marks a historic turning point, driven by the leadership and vision of President Hakainde Hichilema.
Even before assuming office in 2021, President Hichilema pledged to revive the factory as part of his Industrialisation agenda, promising to restore jobs and economic activity in Kabwe and Central Province.
Mulungushi Textiles Limited, once a symbol of Zambia’s industrial muscle, is steadily reclaiming its place as a cornerstone of national manufacturing, following decades of decline and inactivity.
The fabric will now be produced at the Kabwe-based factory is not just cloth, but a powerful statement of industrial rebirth and renewed economic ambition for Zambia.
For nearly two decades, Mulungushi Textiles lay dormant after ceasing operations in 2007 due to outdated machinery, financial challenges, and management constraints.
The shutdown resulted in massive job losses and left Kabwe, once a thriving industrial town, grappling with economic stagnation and lost livelihoods.
On Thursday, another promise will be fulfilled, with the factory undergoing a complete transformation. The old obsolete machines have been replaced with ultra-modern and AI-driven textile manufacturing equipment capable of producing high-quality fabrics that meet international standards, positioning Zambia to compete in regional and global textile markets.
Slowly the country will move from importing fabrics ranging from military uniforms, hospital linen, second hand clothes known as salaula.
The long-term benefit of this will local currency stability due to reduced demand for forex to meet imports needs.
The production of locally made fabrics will also strengthen Zambia’s fashion, tailoring, and garment industries by reducing reliance on imported textiles and supporting local entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises.
For many years, Mulungushi Textiles was a political campaign tool, with successive political parties promising to revive the factory but failing to deliver tangible results.
The current revival therefore represents not only economic progress but also the fulfilment of a long-standing national aspiration for the people of Central Province.
The reopening of Mulungushi Textiles is part of a broader wave of industrial development under President Hichilema’s administration, which has prioritised the reopening and establishment of key industries across the country to stimulate private sector investment, job creation, and economic growth.
Beyond job creation, the revival of the factory carries significant socio-economic benefits. The textile plant is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, revitalise local businesses, and restore Kabwe’s status as an industrial hub in Zambia.
Under President Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia is not only redesigning its fabric in a literal sense but also weaving a new narrative of industrial progress, economic resilience, and national pride.
Since taking office in 2021, President Hichilema’s administration has focused on industrialization, value addition, and reviving defunct industries, resulting in several manufacturing openings and expansions.
Key manufacturing industries opened under his watch:
- Trade Kings Glucose and Starch Plant: Commissioned in October 2025, this $110 million facility in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) is Zambia’s first-ever glucose and starch plant, aimed at using local maize for industrial production.
- United Capital Fertiliser (UCF) Urea Plant: Launched in October 2025 in Chilanga, this $641 million plant is a significant milestone in local fertilizer manufacturing, aimed at making Zambia self-sufficient and reducing reliance on imports.
- Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles (ZCMT): The government initiated the revival of this formerly defunct textile giant in Kabwe, with operations set to resume in 2026 to boost local cotton production and create jobs.
- Kalene Hills Fruit Processing Plant: Located in Mwinilunga, this plant was launched to process local pineapples and other fruits into juices, pastes, and purees, engaging local farmers in the North-Western Province.
- Bayer Itaba Seed Plant: Commissioned in Kabwe, this roughly K1 billion (1 billion Kwacha) investment focuses on producing maize seed for both domestic and regional markets.
- Uniflex Wires & Cables Ltd: This $500,000 investment in Lusaka marked the launch of Zambia’s first-ever enamelled wire manufacturing plant, intended for copper value addition.
- Hitachi Construction Machinery Facility: A $25 million expansion of this factory and warehouse was opened in 2025, contributing to local mining machinery manufacturing.
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant: A groundbreaking ceremony was held in September 2025 for a new pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, in partnership with India’s Akums Pharmaceuticals, to produce over 150 essential medicines locally.
- Zamtrans Transformer Manufacturing Plant — Chibombo District, Zambia: a high-capacity facility located in the Jiangxi Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) in Chibombo District, Zambia. It specializes in manufacturing, assembling, and refurbishing electrical transformers to boost local infrastructure and reduce reliance on imports.
- Airumi Energy Plant in Chibombo Commences Battery and Transformer Production: The Battery Plant is a joint venture between Zambia and China run by Airumi Energy Zambia Ltd situated in the Zambia-Jiangxi Multi-Facility Economic Zone.
