Warehouse for Rent on Kafue Road, Lusaka: The Complete Guide (2026)
By Lusaka Warehouses | Last updated: 2026
Kafue Road is one of Lusaka’s most active commercial corridors — and if you’re looking for warehouse space along it, you’re not alone. From small 300 sqm storage units near Makeni Mall to large logistics hubs exceeding 5,000 sqm, Kafue Road has become a go-to location for businesses that need industrial space with excellent road access and proximity to Lusaka’s growing southern residential and retail belt.
This guide covers everything you need to know before renting warehouse space on Kafue Road: what’s available, what it costs, which specific sub-areas to target, and what to watch out for before you sign a lease.
Why Kafue Road Works for Warehouse Tenants
Kafue Road runs from the Lusaka CBD southward toward Kafue town and is one of Zambia’s key arterial roads. For warehouse tenants, its appeal is straightforward. The road carries heavy commercial traffic, has well-maintained tarmac, and connects directly to the Copperbelt and Southern African Development Community (SADC) road network — making it a natural choice for distribution businesses, logistics operators, and any business moving goods in or out of Zambia.
The stretch between the CBD and Makeni Mall has seen significant warehouse and commercial park development over the past decade. The arrival of York Commercial Park — a purpose-built logistics and industrial park along Kafue Road — raised the standard of what warehouse tenants can expect in this area, and other developments have followed.
Beyond logistics, Kafue Road is also attractive because of its proximity to Makeni’s dense residential population and retail anchors like Makeni Mall and Cosmopolitan Mall. Businesses in consumer goods, FMCG, construction supply, and retail distribution find this location ideal for last-mile delivery across the city.
What’s Available: Types of Warehouses on Kafue Road
Warehouse complexes and secure compounds are the most common offerings along Kafue Road. These are multi-unit developments where tenants lease individual bays within a shared, gated property. Most include perimeter walls, guarded access, and shared loading infrastructure. Sizes range from 300 sqm to around 1,000 sqm per unit, making them accessible to SMEs as well as larger operators.
Purpose-built logistics parks are a newer category on Kafue Road. York Commercial Park is the flagship example — a 100+ acre development specifically designed with wide internal roads, roundabouts engineered for large trucks, and units built to modern logistics standards, including 8.5-metre eave heights. This is a step up from older compound-style developments and commands a premium to match.
Stand-alone warehouse properties do exist along the Kafue Road corridor, particularly on side roads off the main road, such as the 70/70 Road and Makeni Road itself. These tend to offer more yard space, more privacy, and more flexibility — but may require higher capital investment to bring up to standard if older.
Current Rental Prices on Kafue Road (2026)
Pricing varies significantly based on the quality of the facility. Here’s a realistic guide:
- Basic complex units (300–500 sqm): $3.00 – $3.50 per sqm/month
- Mid-tier complexes (500–1,000 sqm): $3.50 – $4.50 per sqm/month
- Premium logistics park units (York Commercial Park and equivalent): $4.50 – $5.50 per sqm/month
To give concrete examples from the current market: a 442 sqm warehouse in a secured complex on Kafue Road is listed at approximately $1,916 per month. A 500 sqm unit with 100 sqm of office space on Kafue Road, just before Makeni Mall is listed at around $4,000 per month inclusive. A 2,274 sqm warehouse with 226 sqm of offices at York Commercial Park is listed at $13,250 per month.
Prices are almost always quoted in USD, with payment accepted in kwacha at the Bank of Zambia’s daily rate. Always confirm whether quoted rates are inclusive or exclusive of VAT before proceeding.
Key Sub-Areas Along Kafue Road
Not all Kafue Road warehouse locations are equal. Knowing the sub-areas helps you target your search:
Behind Makeni Mall (off Kafue Road). This is the most searched and most talked-about warehouse cluster in Lusaka. The area behind Makeni Mall has a high density of warehouse complexes, most of them secure, well-managed, and competitively priced. It’s also central enough to serve north and south Lusaka easily. This is the first area to check if you need a unit in the 300–1,000 sqm range.
York Commercial Park (Kafue Road) For businesses that need the highest infrastructure standards — particularly those in regional logistics, FMCG distribution, or cold chain — York Commercial Park is the top-tier option on Kafue Road. It was purpose-built with truck circulation in mind, has modern power infrastructure, and offers units that can accommodate multiple occupancy configurations. Prices reflect this quality.
70/70 Road (off Kafue Road) The 70/70 Road is a locally well-known industrial side road off Kafue Road. It hosts a mix of older and newer warehouses, some of which come with backup power and security at competitive prices. Units here sometimes offer more yard space than equivalent complexes on the main road.
Makeni Road (running parallel and intersecting Kafue Road) Makeni Road itself has several warehouse listings, including some larger properties on bigger plots. One noteworthy listing includes three warehouses totalling 5,200 sqm with office space on a single property — the kind of scale that suits regional distributors or 3PL operators.
What to Look for Before Signing
Generator backup is essential. ZESCO load-shedding is an ongoing reality in Lusaka. Any serious warehouse operation on Kafue Road should have a generator covering at least lighting, security systems, and critical machinery. Ask not just whether a generator exists, but its capacity and whether it can power the full warehouse or only part of the property.
Truck access and turning circles. Kafue Road itself can get congested, and many warehouse compounds have narrow entrances. Before committing, bring a vehicle representative of your largest regular delivery truck and physically check whether it can enter, turn, and reverse to the loading bay without difficulty. York Commercial Park was explicitly designed with truck circulation in mind — this is one of its main selling points over older compounds.
Eave height. Standard units in older Kafue Road compounds tend to have 5–6 metre eaves. Modern builds, especially at York Commercial Park, offer 8.5 metres — important if you’re racking goods or operating forklifts. Check this before signing.
Lease structure. Kafue Road warehouse leases typically run on a 12-month basis with a 3-month notice clause. Some landlords at premium parks offer 2–3 year leases with fixed annual escalation (often pegged at a percentage above Bank of Zambia base rate). A longer lease can sometimes unlock a lower monthly rate, particularly at larger facilities.
What’s included in the rental? Some Kafue Road complexes quote inclusive rentals covering water and sometimes ZESCO. Others are exclusive of all utilities. At one listed complex, the $4,000/month rate is quoted as “inclusive” — always clarify what this includes in writing before signing.
How Kafue Road Compares to Other Lusaka Warehouse Areas
Kafue Road vs. Chinika Chinika is more centrally located and arguably better connected for northbound distribution (Copperbelt, DRC). Kafue Road serves the south and east of the city better, and has a stronger consumer/retail supply chain profile. Kafue Road’s premium logistics parks (York Commercial Park) also have no direct equivalent in Chinika yet.
Kafue Road vs. Light Industrial Area (Chandwe Musonda Road) The Light Industrial Area is older, closer to the CBD, and has smaller individual units at slightly lower prices. It suits businesses needing CBD proximity. Kafue Road offers newer facilities, larger footprints, and better truck access overall.
Kafue Road vs. Ngwerere Ngwerere is significantly cheaper but further from the city centre and the main road network. For businesses that don’t require frequent customer or client access, it’s worth considering. For most distribution and logistics operators, Kafue Road’s location advantage is worth the price premium.
Questions to Ask Before Signing a Kafue Road Warehouse Lease
- Is the quoted price inclusive or exclusive of VAT, ZESCO, and water?
- Is there a backup generator, and what does it cover?
- What is the notice period to vacate?
- Can the unit accommodate the size of trucks your business operates?
- What is the lease term and annual escalation rate?
- Who is responsible for maintenance — landlord or tenant?
- Are there any restrictions on goods that can be stored or operations that can be conducted?
Ready to Find Your Warehouse on Kafue Road?
At Lusaka Warehouses, we list available warehouse space along Kafue Road and across all of Lusaka’s key industrial areas. Whether you need a compact 300 sqm unit near Makeni Mall or a large logistics facility at York Commercial Park, we can help you find the right fit.
Browse current Kafue Road warehouse listings →
Contact us to discuss your requirements and get matched quickly.
Also looking at other areas? Read our guides to Warehouses in Chinika, Warehouse Rentals in Makeni, and How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Warehouse in Lusaka?
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