Ndola is one of the largest cities in Zambia, with a population of about half a million people. It is the industrial, commercial, administrative and distribution hub of the Copperbelt, Zambia's copper-mining region, and capital of Copperbelt Province. It lies just 10 km from the border with the DR Congo.

During the slave trade era, Ndola was one of the regions that served as a slave trading post.

The economy of Ndola is quite diverse with activities spanning across almost all the major economic sectors. Unfortunately, there has been a steady decline in the city's economic activities over the recent past exhibited by company closures, relocations and massive retrenchments.

The strategic location of Ndola during the booming copper mining era of the 1960 and 70s, quickly established the city as the country's leading commercial, industrial and distributive centre. Attributed mainly to the government's economic liberalization and privatization policies of the 1990s, the current economic forecast for Ndola indicates a substantial decline in industrial and commercial activities.

Although most of the economic activities have declined in recent years, the city has the potential to regain its position as the most important industrial district of Zambia. The establishments of new industrial activities in the city attest to this fact. [source www.necz.org.zm/news/comments/ZPC%20EIS%20Report.pdf]