At the 2025 Africa Business Media Innovators (ABMI) summit, Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Matthew Winkler unveiled compelling data positioning Zambia as one of the fastest-growing economies worldwide since 2018. His analysis highlighted Zambia’s impressive economic performance, particularly after the conclusion of its debt restructuring process.
According to Bloomberg’s detailed report, Zambia has consistently outpaced both African and global GDP growth averages in recent years. Two comparative graphs showcased by Winkler at the summit illustrated Zambia’s sharp upward trajectory from 2023 onwards, significantly outstripping more modest growth trends seen across the continent and the broader international economy.
Drawing a powerful historical parallel, Winkler likened Zambia’s economic resurgence to Greece’s unexpected recovery in 2015. Back then, market sentiment had largely dismissed Greece, anticipating a default and potential exit from the Eurozone. However, Greece defied expectations by extending bond maturities to 26 years and gradually rebuilding investor confidence. A US$1 million investment in Greek debt in 2015 would now be worth US$4 million, reflecting an impressive 15 percent annual return.
Winkler suggested that Zambia appears to be charting a similarly remarkable course. Since restructuring its debt, Zambia’s bond yields have dropped to 6.7 percent, moving closer to the 5.6 percent average typical of investment-grade borrowers. This is particularly notable given that Zambia’s credit rating remains eight levels below the investment-grade benchmark.
“The bond market sees what the pundits miss,” Winkler remarked, emphasizing that Zambia’s story is not an anomaly but a credible, data-backed case of resilience and recovery. He underscored how Zambia’s economic turnaround offers a powerful example of how strategic reforms and renewed investor confidence can transform heavily indebted nations into attractive long-term investment destinations.
Looking ahead, projections indicate that Zambia’s robust GDP growth is expected to continue through 2027, positioning the country as a standout example of successful economic reform on the African continent. Zambia’s trajectory demonstrates how prudent policy decisions, coupled with effective debt management, can unlock significant economic potential and reshape national prospects.
As Zambia charts this path of sustainable growth, it sends a compelling message to investors and policymakers alike — that with determination and sound economic governance, emerging economies can overcome adversity and achieve remarkable recoveries in today’s global financial landscape.