Foreign investment not allowed in timber production from a specified forest area. Timber processing is authorised, however, upon obtaining a sawmill licence to process timber using a sawmill or any other wood processing equipment for a period not exceeding five years.
"2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—[…]
“citizen” means— (a) an individual who is a citizen of Zambia; or (b) an incorporated or unincorporated body of persons or a company which is composed exclusively of persons who are citizens of Zambia;[...]
“forest area” means a National Forest, Local Forest, botanical reserve, plantation, private forest, community forest, joint forest management area and open areas; [...]
“sawmill” means a factory where wood is processed mechanically into planks or boards using a saw; [...]
“State Land” means all land in Zambia, other than customary areas, National Forests, Local Forests and land under leasehold tenure vested in any person;
“timber” means the part of any felled or fallen tree which has been cut off or can be cut off to provide wood whether sawn, split, hewn, sliced, veneered or otherwise fashioned, which is sound and reasonably straight, and which is one point two metres or longer and thirty centimetres or more in minimum diameter under bark;
[...]
3. The ownership of all trees standing on, and all forest produce derived from, customary areas, National Forests, Local Forests, State Land, botanical reserves and open areas is vested in the President, on behalf of the Republic, until lawfully transferred or assigned under this Act or any other written law.
[...]
PART VI - REGULATION OF FOREST PRODUCE [...]
52. (1) The following licences may be issued under this Part:
(a) sawmill licence, to authorise a sawmill owner to process timber using a sawmill or any other wood processing equipment for a period not exceeding five years; and
(b) concession licence, to authorise a citizen to cut, fell or process timber from a specified forest area for a period not exceeding five years.[...]" (THE FORESTS ACT, 2015)
THE FORESTS ACT, 2015
[<a href="https://www.parliament.gov.zm/sites/default/files/documents/acts/The%20Forest%20Act%202015.pdf">Act</a>]