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Mongu District, the provincial capital of Western Province in Zambia, is situated approximately 585km west of the nation’s capital, Lusaka. The district spans an area of approximately 5,959.8 square kilometres. Established as a rural council following the declaration of Zambia’s independence in 1964, it was later upgraded to the status of District Council in 1980 following the establishment of the Local Government Act No. 15 of 1980. In 1997, the district achieved municipal status, which it holds to date and continues in its aspirations to reach city status one day in the future.
The district shares boundaries with five other districts. Kalabo sits to the west, accessible via the renowned Mongu-Kalabo road across the majestic views of the Baroste flood plains that hosts the annual cultural event of the Kuomboka ceremony. On the northern side sits Limulunga, the winter home to the Litunga King of the Lozi speaking people, Luampa on the east, Senanga to the southeast, and Nalolo to the south.
Over the past decade, the district’s population has seen consistent growth. According to the Zambia Statistics Agency, the population of Mongu sat at 128,844 as of the 2010 population census and has seen a steady growth to 197,816 as of the 2022 census. The most significant growth is in the urban constituency of Mongu Central compared to the rural Nalikwanda constituency. A much detailed demographic analysis is given in the District Integrated Development Plan IDP. * Download IDP
Composition of the Council
Administratively, the district is delimited into two constituencies: Nalikwanda and Mongu Central. The Council is composed of an elected Mayor, Twenty-Seven (27) elected Councillors from Twenty-Seven (27) Wards, and two (2) Chiefs as provided for under Article 153 (2)(c) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016. The current Council was elected to office in 2021 to serve a five-year term up to 2026. The Deputy Mayor is elected from among the Councillors for a period of two and half years.
Economic Activities
The district is largely rural though well connected with other districts and access roads to Namibia, which is an opportunity of export. The primary trade partner South Africa with local industries from Namibia purchasing local produce such as mangos for the production of drinks.
The District is known for basket and carpet weaving. It produces the best mango and fish in the country, especially the tiger fish. Mongu is also the major rice-growing region of Zambia. Mongu has a GDP per capita of $4,100 from all economic activities.
Fishing is viewed as the most important and profitable livelihood strategy over the decades, with men responsible for fish capture while women are responsible for fish processing and sale at the retail level. However, from December to March of the following year, a fish ban was imposed by the Department of Fisheries. Despite the ban and penalties for perpetrators, there is illegal fishing that leads to the depletion of fish.
Animal Husbandry is another economic activity with Cattle sold to beef companies in Mongu and the production of by-products such as Milk, manure, and draft power. Other livestock include Chickens that are sold within the community or to traders in Mongu. Pigs and Ducks are also kept by local communities.
The district has Agricultural Production of Rice as a cash crop due to the favourable soils and available water in the plains throughout the year. However, sales are limited by poor transportation networks as roads are inaccessible from some parts of the district due to the sandy terrain.
Maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, groundnuts and mango are other crops that are grown on a relatively smaller scale for sale. In the recent past the district has experienced reduced yields due to changing rain patterns due to climatic changes. However, some areas near the Zambezi River have maintained relatively high yields. Mongu residents are beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP). However, there are challenges due to market access due to poor road terrain.
Known as the home of the grand Kuomboka ceremony. Mongu boasts of being the host of one of the biggest traditional ceremonies in the country annually. This creates an opportunity in the hospitality food and tourism industries.
The people and the culture..Read More click here.
Mongu Municipal Council,
P.O. Box 910026,
Mongu, Western Province, Zambia.
mongu.council@mlgrd.gov.zm
mongumunicipalcouncil@gmail.com
mongubilling@gmail.com
©2026. Mongu Municipal Council. All Rights Reserved.
