Warehouse for Rent in Makeni, Lusaka: The Complete Guide (2026)
By Lusaka Warehouses | Last updated: 2026
Makeni has quietly become one of the most in-demand warehouse locations in Lusaka. Thanks to its position along Kafue Road, proximity to major retail anchors, and a growing cluster of purpose-built industrial facilities, it’s now one of the first areas businesses search when looking for storage or logistics space in the city. This guide covers the Makeni warehouse market in full — what’s available, what it costs, where exactly to look, and what separates a good deal from a bad one.
Why Makeni Has Become a Warehouse Hotspot
Makeni’s rise as an industrial area is closely tied to Kafue Road’s emergence as Lusaka’s most important commercial artery. As the city has grown southward, Makeni found itself at the intersection of residential density, major retail (Makeni Mall, Cosmopolitan Mall), and arterial road access — a combination that makes it ideal for last-mile distribution, retail supply chains, consumer goods storage, and logistics operations serving southern Lusaka and beyond.
What distinguishes Makeni from older industrial areas like Chinika or the Light Industrial Area is the quality of newer developments. York Commercial Park, situated on Kafue Road in Makeni, is arguably the most sophisticated logistics park in Lusaka — a 100+ acre development built to modern standards with wide internal roads, purpose-designed truck circulation, and units with eave heights up to 8.5 metres. It has set a new benchmark for what warehouse tenants can expect in Zambia’s capital.
Beyond the premium end, Makeni also offers a wide range of mid-market warehouse complexes at competitive prices, many of them tucked into secure compounds just off Kafue Road, along the 70/70 Road, or along Makeni Road itself.
The Key Warehouse Areas Within Makeni
Makeni is not a single industrial zone — it’s a broader suburb with warehouse activity spread across several roads and pockets. Knowing the micro-areas will help you search more efficiently.
Off Kafue Road, behind Makeni Mall. This is the most searched and most recognisable warehouse cluster in Makeni. The area behind Makeni Mall has a concentration of secure warehouse complexes, most ranging from 300 to 1,000 sqm per unit. The location is excellent — easy access from Kafue Road, close to the retail district, and well-known to drivers making deliveries. If you’re searching for a small-to-medium unit quickly, this is the first place to look.
York Commercial Park (Kafue Road) York Commercial Park is Makeni’s flagship industrial development. Set on a large plot directly on Kafue Road, it offers units from around 500 sqm up to 2,500+ sqm, all built to a high standard. Key features include 8.5-metre eave heights, a guarded gatehouse with 24-hour patrols, wide internal roads and roundabouts specifically designed for large trucks, and full utility connections. For businesses with high operational standards or regional logistics requirements, this is the top-tier option in Makeni.
70/70 Road (off Kafue Road) The 70/70 Road is one of Makeni’s best-kept open secrets in the industrial market. Listings here consistently appear for warehousing with backup power, security, and competitive pricing. Units on this road often include more yard space than equivalent units in tighter compounds, making it a good option for businesses that need outdoor storage or heavy vehicle access alongside their covered space.
Makeni Road Makeni Road runs roughly parallel to and intersects with Kafue Road, and has its own cluster of warehouse listings. Properties here tend to be on larger plots, with some listings including multiple warehouse structures and office blocks on a single title. One active listing on Makeni Road features three warehouses totalling 5,200 sqm with offices — the kind of scale suited to regional distributors or third-party logistics providers.
Off-road compounds (Bonaventure, Buckley, Konga). These quieter residential-adjacent areas of Makeni also have scattered commercial and warehouse listings, typically smaller stand-alone units or repurposed commercial buildings. Prices here are often lower, but access for large trucks can be more challenging.
Current Warehouse Rental Prices in Makeni (2025)
Makeni has a wide price range reflecting the quality spectrum available:
- Basic warehouse complex units (300–600 sqm): $3.00 – $3.50 per sqm/month
- Mid-market secure compounds (500–1,000 sqm): $3.50 – $4.50 per sqm/month
- Premium logistics park units (York Commercial Park): $4.50 – $5.50+ per sqm/month
Concrete examples from the current market: a 682 sqm warehouse in Makeni is listed at approximately K90,351 per month (around $3,765 at current rates). A 500 sqm unit on Kafue Road with 100 sqm of offices is listed at $4,000 per month inclusive. A 2,274 sqm warehouse with 226 sqm of office space at York Commercial Park lists at $13,250 per month. On the lower end of the market, a larger compound-style facility further out on Makeni Road can be found at $2.00 per sqm for bulk space.
As always, prices are quoted in USD but payable in kwacha at the Bank of Zambia daily rate. Confirm whether any quoted price is inclusive or exclusive of VAT, ZESCO electricity, and water before proceeding.
Features That Separate Good Makeni Warehouses from Average Ones
Backup power. Load-shedding from ZESCO is a daily reality in Lusaka. In Makeni’s mid-market, backup generators are increasingly standard in reputable complexes — but not universal. Ask specifically whether a generator is on-site, what its capacity covers (full warehouse, offices only, or security systems only), and who pays for the diesel. At York Commercial Park, power infrastructure is built to a higher standard by design.
Truck access. Kafue Road itself is well-maintained and can handle heavy commercial traffic. The challenge is the entry to individual compounds. Some Makeni complexes have tight gateways or narrow internal roads that restrict access for large trucks. York Commercial Park was specifically designed with roundabouts to allow any size truck to enter, turn, and reverse without difficulty — a real differentiator for logistics-heavy businesses.
Eave height and floor loading. Standard Makeni warehouse units in older compounds have eave heights of 5–6 metres. York Commercial Park and newer builds offer 8.5 metres. If you plan to use racking systems or forklifts, eave height significantly affects your usable storage capacity. Floor loading capacity matters too — confirm the load-bearing spec if you plan to stack heavy goods.
Security. Most reputable Makeni complexes include perimeter walls, electric fencing, a guarded gatehouse, and 24-hour patrols. Some older compounds have lighter security arrangements. Ask about CCTV coverage, whether the guard is on-site overnight, and how many tenants share the compound.
Integrated offices. Makeni warehouse listings frequently include office space within or adjacent to the warehouse unit — boardrooms, reception areas, open-plan offices, and dedicated ablution facilities. If your team works on-site, the quality of the office fit-out matters. Check whether offices are a permanent structure or a prefab addition.
Buying vs. Renting a Warehouse in Makeni
Makeni is one of the few Lusaka areas where you’ll see warehouse properties listed for sale as well as rental. Current sale listings in the area range from around $350,000 for smaller units to over $875,000 for larger buildings — excluding PPT (Property Transfer Tax), VAT, and legal fees.
For most businesses, renting remains the more practical route given capital requirements, but if your business has a long time horizon in Lusaka and stable cashflow, ownership in a well-located Makeni property is worth considering. Property values along Kafue Road have generally appreciated as the corridor has developed.
How Makeni Compares to Other Lusaka Warehouse Areas
Makeni vs. Chinika Chinika is better positioned for northbound distribution (CBD, Copperbelt, DRC route), while Makeni serves the south and east of Lusaka more naturally. Chinika tends to have more variety in size and price at the lower end; Makeni has the advantage in premium logistics infrastructure (York Commercial Park). For consumer goods, FMCG, and retail supply chains, Makeni typically wins.
Makeni vs. Light Industrial Area The Light Industrial Area along Chandwe Musonda Road is older and closer to the CBD, with smaller units at slightly lower prices. It suits businesses that need to be close to central Lusaka. Makeni offers newer builds, better truck access, and a stronger logistics park ecosystem.
Makeni vs. Ngwerere Ngwerere is cheaper and more spacious but significantly further from the city and the main road network. For businesses serving Lusaka’s population directly, Makeni’s location is difficult to substitute.
Questions to Ask Before Signing a Makeni Warehouse Lease
- Is the quoted price inclusive of VAT, ZESCO, and water — or exclusive?
- Is there a backup generator on-site, and what capacity does it cover?
- Can your largest delivery truck access, turn, and reverse within the compound?
- What is the eave height and floor load-bearing capacity?
- What is the lease term, notice period, and annual escalation rate?
- Who handles routine maintenance and structural repairs — landlord or tenant?
- How many tenants share the compound, and what security is in place overnight?
Ready to Find Your Warehouse in Makeni?
At Lusaka Warehouses, we list warehouse space across Makeni — from compact units behind Makeni Mall to large facilities at York Commercial Park. Tell us your size, budget, and requirements and we’ll match you to the best available options.
Browse current Makeni warehouse listings →
Get in touch to discuss your specific needs.
Exploring other Lusaka warehouse areas? Read our guides to Warehouses on Kafue Road, Warehouses in Chinika, and How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Warehouse in Lusaka?
){kind=link}
Pingback:Warehouse for Rent on Kafue Road, Lusaka: 2026 Complete Guide