Research rules
Data protection law in Zambia: registration and research permits
What a survey team needs to know about personal data and survey authorization in Zambia.
Summary for planning; confirm requirements with the regulator before fieldwork.
Status
operational regulator
Data protection law
Data Protection Act No. 3 of 2021 (2021)
Regulator
Data Protection Commissioner (under the Ministry of Technology and Science)
Registration
registration of data controllers and processors required
Survey permits
National statistics office
Note
Data Protection Act 2021 operationalized from 2023.
Zambia research rules: common questions
Is there a data protection law in Zambia?
Data Protection Act No. 3 of 2021 (2021).
Who regulates personal data in Zambia?
Data Protection Commissioner (under the Ministry of Technology and Science).
Do I need to register to collect personal data in Zambia?
Registration of data controllers and processors required.
Do I need a permit to run a survey in Zambia?
ZamStats permit required under the Statistics Act 2018.
Sources: the regulator and statistics office pages linked above, retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.