Mulenga Calls for Industry Collaboration to Boost Local Gemstone Processing
The Government has urged gemstone exporters to collaborate on a national roadmap for value addition, with a focus on local processing to drive economic transformation.
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, MP, reaffirmed government’s commitment to building a resilient gemstone industry capable of generating jobs and wealth through value addition rather than raw exports.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with exporters, the Minister stressed that Zambia’s status as one of the world’s leading producers of emeralds should translate into tangible benefits for citizens. He argued that exporting unprocessed gemstones had deprived the country of employment and revenue opportunities for far too long.
“We cannot continue exporting raw gemstones while our people remain unemployed and our economy misses out on billions in potential revenue,” Hon. Mulenga said. “The time has come to polish our stones here, create decent jobs, and build industries that add real value.”
The Minister highlighted government’s wider ambition to double gross domestic product (GDP) by 2031, in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision. He said achieving this target would require expanding the tax base, unlocking new revenue streams, and strengthening industries such as copper, manganese and gemstones.
He pointed to successful local manufacturing initiatives, such as copper cable production by UNIFLEX, which have already created sustainable jobs. Similar efforts in the gemstone sector, he added, could significantly boost national output.
Industry stakeholders echoed the call for local value addition. Federation of Small-Scale Miners Association of Zambia Vice President, Hon. Grace Njapao, urged government to provide stronger support for small-scale miners and traders. She proposed reduced duties on equipment and consumables to encourage investment in processing.
Emerald and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) President, Victor Kalesha, also underscored the industry’s potential through cutting and polishing, while Jewel of Africa Chief Executive Officer, Rashmi Sharma, emphasised the importance of introducing gemstone-related curricula in schools to build local skills.
Stakeholders further welcomed Zambia’s recent progress towards acceding to the ATA Carnet, a global customs system that exempts signatories from duties on temporarily exported goods. They stressed the need to expedite the process so that the gemstone sector could fully benefit.
Hon. Mulenga concluded by calling on the private sector to partner with government in transforming Zambia into a global leader in the production of high-quality finished gemstone products.
