Northern Province is one of the 10 provinces in Zambia. The Province lies in the Northern part of Zambia. It covers a surface area of about 77,650 square kilometres, sharing its borders with Provinces namely, Luapula in the west and Muchinga Province in the east. The province also shares its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in the North, Tanzania in the North-East.

The province is headed by a Provincial Minister appointed by the President, as the political head of the province. The administrative head of the province is the Permanent Secretary, who is also appointed by the President. Northern Province is divided in 12 districts, namely, Kasama, Chilubi, Kaputa, Luwingu, Lunte, Lupososhi, Mbala, Mporokoso, Mpulungu, Mungwi Nsama, and Senga Hill. Kasama is the capital for the province, serving as an administrative centre of the province. According to Zambia Statistical Agency (ZAMSTATS), in 2015, the province had a population of about 1,304,435 with 657,452 females, representing 50.40% and 646,983 males representing 49.60% of the total population.

Northern Province has no major industry, and its primary economic activity is agriculture. Farming, fishing, and trading are the mainstay of the majority of the population.

There are very few farmers who grow crops on a commercial basis. Most of the people are peasant subsistence farmers. Major crops produced in the province include cassava, millet, sorghum, groundnuts, beans, maize, and rice. The Province is ranked fourth in maize production, second in groundnut and cassava production in Zambia. Millet production is also increasing to meet local domestic demand and industrial uses in other parts of the country. The Province is also a leading producer of beans. Northern Province can also be considered as the “Coffee Hub” of the country, contributing about 50% of Zambia’s coffee exports. The Coffee Plantation, produce coffee of international quality. Rice has been a very important cash crop in Northern Province for many years.

There is also some commercial fishing being done on Lake Tanganyika by established fishing companies in Mpulungu. Most of the fish caught is taken for sale in Lusaka and the Copperbelt on refrigerated trucks.

Northern Province is home to Lake Tanganyika, Hot springs (Kapisha in Kaputa) and breath-taking Waterfalls are dotted all over the Province. Source of the mighty Congo River is found in Mbala District. Un-spoilt beaches in Nsumbu and Mpulungu Slave Routes, 1st World War Sites, Luchelen’ganga, MotoMoto Museum, form a heritage and rich history of the Province. Rock paintings at Mwela in Kasama and Mungwi. Archaeological sites showing the earliest evidence of Fire at Kalambo furnaces. It has wild game parks, Migratory bird site son Bangweulu swamps, home to the Black Rhino. Tazara Rail line crosses the Province from Kapiri Mposhi to Dares-Salaam, thus making Northern Province the gate way to East Africa. All these are among the key tourist attractions in the province

Traditionally, the province is governed by Chiefs, including, Paramount Chief Chiti Mukulu Senior Chief Chungu, Senior Chief Shimumbi, Senior Chief Nsama, Senior Chief Mwamba, Senior Chief Tafuna, Senior Chief Nsokolo, etc. The most predominantly spoken language is Bemba. Other languages spoken in the province include Lungu, Namwanga, Mambwe, Nyika, and Bisa.