Kitwe, city, northern Zambia, south-central Africa. It is the second largest city in Zambia and is the main industrial and commercial centre of the copper-belt region.
Founded in 1936, Kitwe grew with the rapid development of copper mining, though secondary industries have also been established. The town, planned on Western models, receives its power supply from the Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River. Kitwe is connected by rail, road, and air with major centres of central and southern Africa. Nkana Mine Township was integrated with Kitwe in 1961, and municipal status was reached in 1966. The Zambia Institute of Technology was founded in 1970. The population of Kitwe includes a large number of Europeans. Pop. (2000) 363,734; (2010 prelim.) 504,194.