Moving to Zambia from Nigeria

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Nigeria to Zambia — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Nigeria to Zambia. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lusaka averages 80°F vs 91°F in Abuja, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Nigeria to Zambia, based on official data.

Living there in 2020
625 ↑ 40% vs 2015

people born in Nigeria live in Zambia · UN DESA

Who's moving to Zambia?

Top countries of origin for Zambia's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Nigeria to Zambia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

per 100,000 people per year

NG
21.7
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NG
17.2
ZM
17.1

Zambia performs significantly better than Nigeria across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

NG
$260
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

NG
3.9
ZM
2.6

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Nigeria leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

NG
77.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

NG
0.6t
ZM
0.5t

Zambia performs significantly better than Nigeria across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

NG
0.0
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

NG
9.7%
ZM
2.8%

Zambia generally does better on infrastructure, though Nigeria leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

NG
3.1%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

NG
$5,700
ZM
$3,700

Nigeria performs better than Zambia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

NG
61.3 yrs
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

NG
56.7
ZM
37.1

Zambia performs significantly better than Nigeria across all family life metrics.

Data: Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Abuja Rain: 48.1 in/yr (1221 mm)
91° / 68°F

Avg. annual high / low

Lusaka Rain: 31.4 in/yr (798 mm)
80° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Abuja Lusaka
Jan–Mar 97°/74°F (36°/23°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 91°/69°F (33°/21°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 85°/66°F (29°/19°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 93°/64°F (34°/18°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Abuja Lusaka
Jan 94°/69°F (34.7°/20.4°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 98°/78°F (36.8°/25.5°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 98°/76°F (36.9°/24.3°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 96°/76°F (35.6°/24.7°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 91°/67°F (32.7°/19.5°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 87°/65°F (30.6°/18.3°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 84°/71°F (29.1°/21.9°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 84°/64°F (28.9°/17.7°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 86°/64°F (30.0°/17.5°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 90°/71°F (32.0°/21.4°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 94°/60°F (34.4°/15.7°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 94°/60°F (34.6°/15.5°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Nigerian Meteorological Agency Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Nigeria and Zambia. To live, work, or study long-term in Zambia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Zambia's immigration authority.

Nigeria passport

Nigeria passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Nigeria passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Zambia.
Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Nigeria

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Zambia passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Nigeria.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Zambia?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Zambia has 0.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Zambia safe for expats?

Zambia performs significantly better than Nigeria across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 21.7 in Nigeria.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Nigeria?

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Nigeria leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 3.9 in Nigeria. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Nigeria: 38).

What's the weather like in Zambia compared to Nigeria?

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 91°F in Abuja. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Abuja gets 48.1 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

Both Nigeria and Zambia share the same official language: English.

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At a Glance

NG ZM
Population 225,082,083 19,642,123
Currency Nigerian Naira (NGN) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages English English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +234 +260
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112