Welcome to the FES Zambia Office

Shaping Social Democracy. Since 1968.

Zambian Freedom statue of a man breaking chains stands before a building, adorned with colorful triangular flags. The pedestal reads "FREEDOM," symbolizing liberation. — Creator: FES Zambia

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Zambia

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) opened its first office in Zambia in the mid-1960s shortly after independence, focusing on civic education, socio-economic research, and support for trade unions and democratic organisations. Although Zambia has experienced positive developments, significant challenges remain. Today, FES concentrates on strengthening democratic statehood, political participation, and social justice. It promotes core democratic principles such as separation of powers, rule of law, free and fair elections, vibrant political parties, and active civil society to address ongoing democratic deficits like corruption and social inequality. To achieve this, FES collaborates with governmental bodies, civil society actors, and international institutions to advance democratic standards and socially just development.

Our Focus Areas

Activities

Black woman with long braided hair and orange scarf speaking in front of a Friedrich Ebert Stiftung banner featuring group photos. — Creator: FES Zambia

Event
News

Thursday, 18.06.2026

Trade Unions Contribute to the Formulation of Zambia’s 9th National Development Plan

Trade unions play a critical role in ensuring that national development policies reflect the realities and aspirations of workers. Their participation is essential for promoting inclusive and equitable development.

Black man in black and white shirt holding a microphone, with a group photo and a seated person visible in the background. — Creator: ES Zambia

Event
News

Thursday, 04.06.2026

Understanding the Lobito Corridor and its Implications for Mineworkers

As the Lobito Corridor reshapes Zambia's mining sector, enhancing mineworkers' understanding of its implications and strengthening workers' representation becomes increasingly important.

FES Zambia

Event
News

Wednesday, 06.05.2026

Geo-Political Global Initiatives: The Case of the European Union (EU) Global Gateway – Challenges and Opportunities for Zambia

The shifting global geopolitical landscape is reshaping development cooperation, trade and economic partnerships. For Zambia, the EU Global Gateway presents both opportunities and challenges for advancing sustainable and...

Two people in a workshop setting; one speaker in orange, flip chart with handwritten notes and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung banners in the background. — Creator: FES Zambia

Youth Leadership
Event
News

Friday, 01.05.2026

2026 Youth Leadership Development Programme Kicks Off

The first Block Week of the 2026 Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP) was successfully held, bringing together young leaders from diverse backgrounds across Zambia for an intensive week of learning and leadership...

Two Zambian individuals, a man in a suit and a woman in colorful attire, are shaking hands and smiling warmly. They stand in front of pink banners. — Creator: FES

Trade Union Cooperation

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Zambia strengthens trade union cooperation to promote social justice, decent work, and equitable economic governance.

A large excavator loads rock into a dump truck at a quarry. The scene conveys industriousness, at a mine in Zambia and machinery under an overcast sky. — Creator: FES

Social Economic Justice

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) in Zambia social and economic justice program focus area works towards promoting social dialogue, inclusive and social and economic justice rooted in social democratic values.

Zambian Kitwe mayor with a male Zambian in the council chambers, engaged in conversation. Both wear glasses and blue blazers. Water bottles and papers are on the table. — Creator: FES

Political Dialogue

Democracy thrives on dialogue and compromise. Only if different interest groups or stakeholders find common fora of interaction, compromise can be reached and a widely acceptable path into the future can be charted.

Young Leaders celebrate their graduation in front of an FES roll-up banner. — Creator: FES Zambia

Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP)

The Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP) of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Zambia empowers young leaders to participate in democratic governance and policy processes actively.

Evolution of cities and towns in Zambia — Creator: FES Zambia

Just City

The Just City project in Zambia, is a project that aims to enhance dialogue and policy engagement with policy makers and other key stakeholders.

Shadow review of the 2021 to 2023 national budget execution in light of debt landscape in Zambia report

Banda, Sosten ; Kampamba, Richard | [Zambia] : JSTR, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection ; [Lusaka] : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, August 2024

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Towards the just city in Zambia

Phiri, Daniel Apton | Lusaka : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, [2022]

issues paper

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Building universal and sustainable social protection mechanisms for informal economy workers in Zambia

Kabelenga, Isaac ; Chola, James | Lusaka : Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Zambia Office, 2021

social protection and Covid-19: impacts on informal economy workers in rural and urban Zambia

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Rights-based social protection in Africa

Kalusopa, Trywell ; Koyi, Grayson ; Phiri, Francis J. | Lusaka : Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Zambia Office, 2020

baseline study to map existing informal economy structures in Zambia and their specific needs ; report for the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

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Latest FES Zambia Videos

Get updated on the latest video footage from FES Zambia and Africa by following the link on Youtube.

Contact

Resident Representative

Fritz Kopsieker

Resident Representative

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Zambia Office

6 Nalubutu Road Off Addis Ababa Road, Rhodespark, Lusaka, Zambia

+260 211 295579

info(at)fes-zambia.org

See our team!