President Hakainde Hichilema has implored mining companies to prioritise local content as well as support the local supplier development programme so as to equip domestic businesses with the capacity to provide quality, competitively priced goods and services on time.
Mr Hichilema cited the use of locally manufactured electrical cables and mill balls in mining operations as examples of how local content could improve supply-chain efficiency while creating business opportunities for Zambian companies.
He further said that the benefits of mining should extend beyond corporate social responsibility projects to include employment, skills development, technology transfer and business opportunities for host communities.
President Hichilema was speaking today in Lusaka during the official opening of the third five days 2026 Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka (ZAMII), which is being held under the theme: “Transforming Africa’s Mining Landscape: Regional Value Chains, Shared Prosperity and Empowering Communities.”
Mr Hichilema disclosed that government plans to establish skills training centres in all 116 districts, urging mining companies to collaborate with the public sector to ensure training programmes respond to local industrial needs.
He pointed out that Zambia needs to increase investment in mineral exploration to sustain production growth and achieve its target of producing three million tonnes of copper annually.
Mr Hichilema also said the government has invested nearly US$100 million in a high-resolution geophysical survey covering the country’s 752,000 square kilometres to help investors identify mineral prospects and guide further exploration.
He explained that the survey, which was nearing completion, will provide investors with valuable geological information to support targeted exploration and the development of new mines.
He called for increased regional cooperation among Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Botswana to develop mineral value chains, attract investment and expand cross-border industrial partnerships.
President Hichilema said the three countries could jointly invest in energy infrastructure, electric vehicle manufacturing and battery value chains to ensure that more value from their mineral resources was retained within the region.
Mr Hichilema also urged government institutions to improve the efficiency of regulatory processes and create a predictable investment environment, while ensuring that mining activities complied with environmental protection requirements.
He also said stronger cooperation among African countries will enable the region to attract larger pools of capital, access advanced technologies and create opportunities for its growing young population.
And President of Botswana Duma Boko in a speech read on his behalf by his Minister of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo, said Botswana and Zambia are exploring the establishment of a regional mining equipment manufacturing and advanced engineering hub to reduce reliance on imported mining machinery and strengthen local industrial capacity.
President Boko said the proposed facility in Botswana, could support mining equipment manufacturing, precision engineering, fabrication, refurbishment and technical services, with significant participation from Zambian businesses.
He further said the initiative is part of broader efforts to deepen regional integration and develop mineral value chains within Southern Africa.
Mr Boko disclosed that the proposed manufacturing campus is expected to be complemented by a 300 megawatt solar photovoltaic project and a 130 megawatt battery energy storage system, subject to ongoing technical and commercial assessments.
Also at the event, DRC Preside Felix Tshisekedi in a speech read on his behalf by his Minister of Mines Louis Kabamba has called for stronger regional cooperation with Zambia to promote mineral value addition, develop cross-border industries and ensure that more economic benefits from mining remain within Africa.
President Tshisekedi said the two countries should leverage their shared mineral resources to develop regional value chains, create employment and accelerate industrialisation rather than continue exporting largely unprocessed minerals.
He noted that Zambia’s target of producing three million tonnes of copper annually by 2031 presents an opportunity for the entire region to strengthen economic cooperation instead of engaging in unnecessary competition.
He explained that shared mineral deposits between the two countries provide a strong foundation for joint industrial development.
Mr Tshisekedi pointed out that the continued export of partially processed minerals and dependence on imported mining equipment and processing materials demonstrates the need for Africa to retain more value from its natural resources.
He cited the proposed development of electric vehicle battery value chains in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province and the DRC’s Lualaba Province as an example of how the two countries could complement each other’s industrial ambitions.
Meanwhile, Canadian High Commissioner to Zambia Corry Van Gaal disclosed that Canada aims to make Zambia its leading global mining investment destination by 2032, from its current position as the country’s fifth-largest mining investment destination.
Ms Van Gaal said Canada remains committed to deepening and diversifying investments in Zambia, citing growing interest from Canadian mining companies and ongoing expansion projects as evidence of confidence in the country’s mining sector.
She also said Canada’s cumulative investment in Zambia reached approximately US$12 billion in 2024, according to Natural Resources Canada.
She further said the two countries should strengthen their commercial partnership to ensure that mining investments generate mutual benefits through job creation, skills development, local business participation and community empowerment.
Ms Van Gal advised that responsible mining should be measured not only by mineral production but also by the skills, businesses and stronger communities left behind for future generations.
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