Zambian footballer Racheal Kundananji smashed the women’s transfer record with a €735,000 move to Bay FC. And if that’s not wild enough, Zambia hosts nature’s largest mammal migration—10 million fruit bats darkening the skies of Kasanka National Park.
Most people know Zambia for Victoria Falls and copper mining. But this southern African nation has been chasing world records in places you wouldn't expect.
The Great Beer Opening of 2024
Picture this: nearly 4,000 people gathered at Lusaka's R&G Arena on October 26, 2024, each clutching a bottle of Mosi Premium Lager. The countdown began. Three, two, one—pop! In a synchronised symphony of bottle caps hitting the ground, Zambia attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the most people opening bottles simultaneously.
Zambian Breweries organised the attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most people opening bottles simultaneously. The official Guinness representative confirmed 3,990 bottles opened, a very close call to the current record still held by Bavaria beer in Colombia for 4,339 bottles. Zambia's attempt was a noble take, celebrating Zambia’s 60th independence anniversary simultaneously.
Footballs Golden Transfer
Before the beer bottles popped, Zambia had already secured its place in sporting history through formidable striker, Racheal Kundananji. Kundananji broke the women's football transfer record when she moved from Madrid CFF to Bay FC for €735,000 on February 13, 2024. The deal included performance bonuses that brought the total to around $860,000.
The striker from Copperbelt became the most expensive women's footballer in the world. She successfully dominated this record until early 2025, when American defender Naomi Girma surpassed it with her transfer to Chelsea FC for a staggering €1.06 million.
Kasanka Bat Migration: Nature's Own Guinness Record
Away from human achievements, Zambia hosts one of nature's most spectacular world records. Every year between October and December, the small Kasanka National Park becomes the stage for the largest mammal migration on Earth—not wildebeest or zebras, but millions of fruit bats.
An estimated 8 to 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats descend upon Kasanka's 390 square kilometres of protected woodland, creating a living, breathing cloud that darkens the sky. This migration dwarfs even the famous wildebeest migration of East Africa and places Zambia's biodiversity front and centre on the world stage.
Double Towela: The Largest Emerald Mine and Uncut Emerald
The Kagem emerald mine in Zambia's Copperbelt Province operates as one of the world's largest and highest-grade emerald producers. The joint venture between Gemfields and the Zambian government produces emeralds that rival those from Colombia.
Zambian emeralds are known for their clarity and deep green colour. They regularly fetch premium prices at international auctions. In 2021, ‘Chipembele’ the world’s largest, uncut, gem-quality emerald was unearthed at Kagem mine. The stone weighs in at over 7,000 carats, equivalent to approximately 1.5 kilograms of raw gemstone.
Honourable Mention: An Unofficial Attempt
Chef Matildah Chipuma of Kabwe attempted an unofficial grilling marathon in 2024. She aimed for over 140 hours of non-stop grilling, trying to break American Jan Greeff's 80-hour record. 48 hours shy of her target, Matilda still managed to grill for 92 hours, reports state.
"The inspiration for me to break the record started when I was still in college, and I have been wanting to break it for a long time…I started writing to the Guinness World Record three years ago, and I was not picked, but this did not stop me."
Zambia may be famous for its breathtaking landscapes and rich mineral wealth, but as these record-breaking moments prove, the nation’s spirit of ambition and celebration knows no bounds. Whether it’s thousands of clinking bottles in unison, a footballer shattering transfer fees, or nature’s awe-inspiring bat spectacle, Zambia continues to carve its name into global history—one Guinness record at a time. Who knows what feat the country will conquer next? One thing’s certain: the world should be watching.
