Zambia is a small, landlocked country located in Southcentral Africa. Since becoming independent in 1964, the country has enjoyed times of peace and prosperity. 1991 marked a period of social-economic growth when the country went to a multiparty system. Since that time, Zambia has had several peaceful transitions of power. However, that does not mean the country is not without conflict, especially around elections. The 2021 election was no exception. If you are in Zambia, know someone there, or plan on going there, it is crucial that you connect to a VPN. We’ll be happy to explain more in a moment. First, please have a look at our list of the best VPNs for Zambia to bypass Internet restrictions.
| Rank | VPN Service | Rating | Server Locations | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 9.8 | 160 |  |
| 2 |  | 9.4 | 87 | |
| 3 |  | 9.2 | 95 | |
Why Use a VPN While in Zambia to Bypass Internet Restrictions?
As you see by the title of this post, the biggest reason is to bypass Internet restrictions. The current problems stem from the most recent election. A popular internet freedom website lists Zambia as “Partially Free”. What that means is you’ll see issues like this from time to time. Under the guise that citizens were using the internet irresponsibly during the election, the government shut down multiple social media platforms across all of the internet service providers. That includes WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Messenger, and others. Interestingly, the government said there would be no interruptions on the Internet during the election process. Clearly, that is not the case.
Of course, the government said the allegations were false. However, they mentioned also said they would not tolerate abuse of the internet if any mischief occurred and would take swift actions. Zambia is not the only African country to experience internet issues during an election, they are just one of the latest. Many of them restrict internet usage on various platforms as a way of “maintaining security”. Though the internet is not fully shut down in Zambia (yet), the only way you can access social media and some other websites is by connecting to a VPN.
Can I Use a Free VPN in Zambia?
You technically can because VPNs are not illegal in Zambia, but there are reasons why we don’t suggest it. You don’t have to look for a long time to find free VPNs in the Google Play Store or other places online. That said, you need to consider the true cost of using one and why it matters.
- Free is not really free – If you use a “free” VPN, you are not paying with money but with data. Keep in mind these companies have to make their money somehow. Yes, showing ads can help offset some of the costs, but running a VPN is expensive to do. Even if the company says they won’t sell your information, they often do anyway.
- Most have malware – Of the top downloaded free VPNs online, a report shows that more than 80% of them had malware. In other words, they have tools built in that can quickly steal any data they want.
- No guarantee of privacy – This is a big one. That is especially true if you say something online to someone. Often, others can see what you say. That’s not a good thing if the Zambian government is monitoring situations.
- May not work to unblock social media – Since your main goal with a VPN may be to get around the social media restrictions on the platforms we mentioned above, free services may not have the ability to get around blocks. That is because their resources may be outdated or just lacking in technology.
All of those factors show that using a free VPN could make things worse for you than using nothing at all. The real question is, then which one should you use?
What’s the Best VPN for Zambia to Bypass Internet Restrictions?
While security is important, especially during election processes, unblocking social media and other sites is more of a priority. Let’s look at what you should have in a provider.
- Providers with the most up to date software and resources. That will help you get past the internet bans.
- Multiple server locations to provide a stable network.
- Providers that have military-grade encryption to keep your data safe from the Zambian government
- A strict no-logs policy so the Information and Broadcasting services department can’t see the sites or apps you use.
And now, a closer look at some of the best VPNs to use in Zambia.
1. Best VPN for Zambia: ExpressVPN
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When it comes to keeping yourself safe, ExpressVPN is one of the best choices you can make. Whether you are looking for secure encryption protocols, privacy protection features, a strict no-logs policy, or other things, you will find them all with this provider. Additionally, if you have ever had an issue creating a secure password, you are in luck. ExpressVPN has a random password generator on their website that will help you do so. It can generate multiple passwords, and you can securely download the generator page if you wish to use it offline.
Streaming media is one of the fun things you can do when you are using ExpressVPN. Because there are servers and locations in 94 different countries, you can use it to open your favorite streaming services. The biggest one, of course, is Netflix. The United States has the most extensive library, with some other countries getting closes in the number of titles offered. Since the libraries have different titles available, connecting to a VPN will give you access to your favorite shows and movies. The same is true for other streaming services in the US and beyond.
ExpressVPN is the #1 rated VPN on our site. We have had the opportunity to compare hundreds of VPN services over the years and ExpressvPN is our favorite. Whether you want to protect your privacy on WiFi networks or unblock streaming services in other countries, ExpressVPN is a good choice. Best of all, you can sign up for 12 months of unlimited VPN access and get 3 months free during our current promotion. The ExpressVPN 30-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of time to test the service.
2. Best VPN for Zambia: NordVPN
When you take a look at encryption protocols, NordVPN has you covered. Instead of dealing with some of the less secure ones like PPTP, the company offers you three different alternatives to use. Whether you like the highly adaptable IKEv2, known as an NGE (Next Generation Encryption) protocol, OpenVPN (which many experts consider to be the gold standard), or the newcomer to the group, NordLynx (a proprietary protocol that uses WireGuard technology), you can find them all with NordVPN. While some may worry about using WireGuard because of the flaws, the company made its protocol to address those issues.
One of the big reasons that users connect to a VPN is to help them stream content from other regions or countries. Using NordVPN will help you do that. Whether you want to watch shows from some of the top US streaming services, check out BBC iPlayer, or perhaps even a service like Stan from Australia, you should not have to miss out on them because of where you are currently. However, you can enjoy the ones we mentioned and more with NordVPN.
3. Best VPN for Zambia: PIA
If you are looking to protect your entire family with a VPN, you can’t go wrong with Private Internet Access. Unlike some of its competitors, it offers its users the ability to connect on an unlimited number of devices. That is excellent news for families that want to protect everything. If that sounds like a high number, just remember that the figure takes into account all of the mobile devices, laptops, and possibly routers no matter where they are. As you can see, Private Internet Access has you covered.
If you are a big sports fan, you may find yourself watching sports you would have never thought of watching previously. While that may not be true for all, many have discovered that to be the case. For everyone that has developed a fondness for other sports than the normal, connecting to a VPN server from Private Internet Access is a good idea. By doing so, you don’t have to miss out on some of your new favorite sports and can cheer on the participants.
