Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo have called for stronger mining partnerships with Zambia to promote mineral processing, local manufacturing and job creation rather than relying on exports of raw minerals.
The two countries said regional cooperation was key to ensuring Africa retained more value from its mineral resources through industrialisation, skills development and stronger supply chains.
Speaking at the Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka (ZAMII) 2026 in Lusaka on Tuesday, Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko, represented by Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, said African countries needed to develop industries capable of processing minerals and manufacturing mining equipment locally.
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“Africa must move beyond being a source of raw materials to becoming a centre of mineral processing, advanced manufacturing and innovation,” he said.
Boko said Botswana and Zambia were exploring strategic partnerships that would draw on their mineral resources, technical expertise and geographical positions to strengthen their competitiveness in the global mining industry.
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Proposed areas of cooperation include skills development, mining equipment manufacturing, engineering, fabrication and regional supply chains.
He said the countries were also considering an industrial campus focused on mining equipment production, mineral processing and engineering services, linked to a proposed 300-megawatt solar photovoltaic project and battery energy storage facility, subject to commercial and technical assessments.
Meanwhile, Democratic Republic of Congo President, Félix Tshisekedi, called for deeper cooperation among African countries to strengthen mining investment, improve transport and border systems, and expand local mineral processing.
Speaking through Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba, Tshisekedi said partnerships should be based on mutual respect, integrity and shared economic interests.
He said interconnected infrastructure was essential to facilitating regional trade, supporting industrialisation and attracting investment.
Tshisekedi added that mining cooperation should extend beyond extraction to processing and value addition, enabling African countries to retain a greater share of the benefits generated from their natural resources.
Acting Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Gilbert Siame, said Zambia’s growing mining investments should translate into jobs, business opportunities for local suppliers and wider economic benefits for citizens.
Siame said the success of mining sector reforms should be assessed by their impact on ordinary Zambians, calling for increased local processing, manufacturing and value addition.
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