The Zambian Business Prototype Toolkit
The delivery sector in Zambia is growing rapidly as more consumers rely on online shopping, same-day delivery, and on-demand services. Whether you're launching a delivery startup or adding delivery to your existing business, understanding delivery pricing in Zambia is the first step to building a profitable operation.
This guide breaks down how pricing works, what factors influence your costs, and how to start a delivery business that can compete with established names like Yango, Tigmoo, and Unka Go.
Unlike some regions where pricing is standardized, delivery rates in Zambia vary widely depending on:
The most common structure is zone-based or kilometre-based pricing.
Short distance (1–5 km): K30–K65
Medium distance (5–15 km): K60–K120
Long distance (15+ km): K120+ depending on vehicle type
Urban areas like Lusaka may have slightly lower rates due to higher demand and more available riders.
Fuel is one of the biggest factors that influences delivery fees. With petrol/diesel prices regularly fluctuating, businesses often:
Add a fuel surcharge
Adjust pricing monthly
Set a minimum base fee regardless of distance
For example, if fuel is around K22–K28/litre, it directly increases operational costs for motorbikes and vans.
Different vehicles carry different costs:
Motorbikes: Most efficient for food, parcels, same-day deliveries
Bicycles: Cost-effective for short-distance, low-weight deliveries
Vehicles/Vans: Higher fuel cost, but needed for bulky goods and B2B deliveries
Your pricing must match the cost of operating each unit.
Express or priority deliveries typically add an extra fee:
+K20–K50 for 1-hour delivery
+20–30% surge charge during peak hours
Customers are willing to pay more for speed and convenience.
To remain competitive, riders must earn a fair commission. Most companies use either:
Per-delivery pay (K20–K40 depending on distance)
Daily rate + small delivery bonuses
Commission split (e.g., 70/30 or 80/20 rider/company)
Fair compensation improves retention and service quality.
Delivery businesses also need to factor in:
Customer support
Routing & tracking tools
Rider coordination
Marketing
Vehicle maintenance
Tools like Switch Dispatch make this cost predictable, with a fixed monthly fee instead of per-order charges, giving businesses more control over profit margins.
Switch Dispatch: Fast to set up. Simple to run. Affordable to scale.
Made for Zambia.