It is the southern gateway to the central Zambian plateau on which Lusaka and the mining towns of Kabwe and the Copperbelt are located.

[2] During World War II, 25 Polish refugees escaping from German- and Soviet-occupied Poland, were admitted in Kafue in 1941.

[2] Consequently, it's strategically located at the only place where north-south road and rail can easily cross the Kafue River and squeeze through the gap between floodplain and escarpment.

To the west it is too shallow and meandering and does not go near any centres of population, to the east is not navigable due to the Kafue Gorge and dam.

The industries in Kafue include;[5] Other industries in or near the town: Start Operation Date Zambian Government to contribute US$ 13.8 million (ZMW 225.0 million) Water treatment plant, 66 kilometre treated water main pipeline from Kafue to Lusaka and a booster pump station in Chilanga.