Compliance Levels Improve
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka,.Zambia24 -- (15-4-2026) Compliance levels in Zambia’s construction sector improved in the first quarter of 2026, with contractor registrations rising by 23 percent under heightened regulatory oversight, the National Council for Construction (NCC) has announced.
NCC Executive Director Professor Paul Makasa said the council issued 10,107 contractor registration certificates between January and March 2026, up from 8,239 during the same period in 2025, signalling increased formalisation and adherence to industry regulations.
“The increase reflects a growing level of compliance within the sector as more contractors are entering the regulatory framework,” Makasa said.
He, however, cautioned that registration alone does not guarantee compliance, stressing the need for sustained inspections and enforcement to ensure quality, safety and professional standards are upheld.
Makasa said about 83 percent of the registrations were renewals, indicating that most contractors are maintaining their compliance status.
He added that Grade Six contractors accounted for approximately 57 percent of total registrations, highlighting strong participation by small and medium-sized enterprises but also exposing capacity limitations.
“Lower-tier contractors often face challenges related to technical capacity, access to equipment and finance, which increases the risk of non-compliance,” he said.
Despite strong local participation, Makasa pointed to a persistent imbalance in the sector.
He said 96.3 percent of registered contractors are Zambian-owned, but local firms account for only 12 percent of total project value, compared to 88 percent controlled by foreign contractors.
“This disparity suggests that while local contractors are present in the system, they are not adequately participating in high-value projects,” Makasa said.
He attributed the imbalance to limited access to finance, procurement barriers and capacity constraints, and said the NCC is engaging government and stakeholders to promote joint ventures, strengthen subcontracting and enhance skills transfer.
Meanwhile, the council conducted 338 inspections across Lusaka, Copperbelt and Southern provinces during the quarter to assess compliance on construction sites.
Makasa said the inspections revealed mixed results, with some projects meeting required standards while others recorded stalled works due to funding constraints and cases of non-compliance.
He said the NCC took enforcement action, including issuing warnings, imposing penalties and closing non-compliant sites.
“These measures are necessary to uphold standards and send a clear message that non-compliance will not be tolerated,” he said.
On employment, Makasa said the sector continues to support job creation, with over 94 percent of workers on inspected projects being Zambian nationals.
However, he noted that gender disparities remain, with low participation of women in construction.
Makasa said the NCC has intensified efforts to promote inclusivity, including career guidance programmes targeting over 1,800 female Grade 12 learners from 13 schools in North-Western and Southern provinces.
He said capacity building remains critical, with the National Construction School continuing to offer training programmes aimed at addressing skills gaps and improving compliance.
On the government’s 24-hour economy policy, Makasa said the initiative presents opportunities to boost productivity and accelerate project delivery, but warned of increased risks, particularly in occupational health and safety.
“Construction is inherently high-risk, and night operations increase the potential for accidents due to fatigue, reduced visibility and limited supervision,” he said.
Makasa said the NCC is strengthening compliance requirements, enhancing inspections and developing guidelines for night-time construction to ensure safety is not compromised.
He also stressed the need for adequate support systems, including reliable power supply, security and transport infrastructure, to sustain round-the-clock operations.
Makasa said while progress has been made in improving compliance, challenges remain in addressing project value disparities, closing compliance gaps and strengthening enforcement.
He reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to ensuring the construction sector supports national development while upholding safety, quality and professionalism.
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