Zambia Affirms Commitment to Green Energy Transition and Economic Growth at Mining Indaba
The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, has reaffirmed Zambia’s dedication to expanding its export base and promoting domestic value chains to ensure citizens benefit from the green energy transition.
Speaking at the recently concluded Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, Mr. Kabuswe underscored the transformative potential of the green energy transition for Africa’s development.
Highlighting Africa’s significant reserves of transition minerals and the increasing demand for clean energy technologies globally, Mr. Kabuswe positioned the continent as a key player in shaping the future of green energy.
He emphasized the importance of maximizing Africa’s abundance of critical minerals for technology, renewable energy, and manufacturing, advocating for value addition and processing within the continent to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities.
Mr. Kabuswe called for international collaboration to develop downstream industries in Africa, fostering partnerships with countries or companies specializing in manufacturing components or end-products using critical minerals.
He emphasized the crucial role of infrastructure development in creating an enabling environment for downstream industries, emphasizing the need for joint research initiatives and innovation partnerships to drive technological advancements in mineral processing.
With the commencement of economic lithium mining in Zambia, Mr. Kabuswe highlighted the opportunity for the country to establish mineral processing and manufacturing plants downstream of its mining operations, thereby developing a clean energy industry and leveraging its vast mineral resources for sustainable development.
Echoing Mr. Kabuswe’s sentiments, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ms. Mazuba Monze, emphasized Zambia’s openness to business and showcased the country’s track record as a destination of choice for Foreign Direct Investment.
Ms. Monze urged investors to seize the abundant investment opportunities in Zambia across various sectors, including mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
Highlighting Zambia’s strategic location and sound bilateral relationships with neighboring countries, Ms. Monze emphasized the country’s role as a gateway to a readily available market.
She encouraged investors to broaden their business footprints and capitalize on Zambia’s favorable business environment and proximity to regional markets.
