Zambia Unveils First MineTech Innovation Cohort at NISIR

Zambia has taken a transformative leap in sustainable mining innovation with the unveiling of the first cohort of the MineTech Innovation Hub under the continent-wide Timbuktoo Initiative, hosted at the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR). 

The launch, officiated by the Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, marks a major milestone in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) ambition to spark a tech-powered industrial shift across Africa.

The MineTech Hub is part of the UNDP’s Timbuktoo initiative, the world’s largest university-anchored innovation network, designed to unlock Africa’s innovation potential by connecting talent, capital, and technology to real-world industrial challenges. 

Ten innovators from nine African countries—including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Nigeria—were selected from over 250 applicants, with projects focusing on safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly mining practices.

“This is not just a launch. It’s a declaration that Zambia is serious about innovation,” Hon. Mutati said during the unveiling. “We are partnering with UNDP, trailblazers, academia, and the private sector to drive forward a digital, intelligent, and inclusive mining ecosystem.”

Among the key supporters is Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), who has pledged to be a lead partner in the hub’s rollout. The initiative will focus on technologies such as artificial intelligence, green mining practices, and automation to transform the mining value chain—from exploration to extraction—reducing environmental impact while enhancing efficiency.

Hon. Mutati emphasized the strategic importance of the hub in aligning Zambia’s national goals with continental momentum, noting Zambia’s ambition to increase copper production from 800,000 to 3 million metric tons by 2031.

“Through this innovation hub, Zambia is not just a participant in global innovation—we are becoming a producer of solutions, solving African problems with African technology,” he added.