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The Government has warned that petroleum operations posed significant environmental risks—particularly industrial pollution—that could have long-term impacts on water quality, ecosystems, and public health if not adequately managed.
Green Economy and Environment Minister, Mike Mposha, said Zambia must ensure energy development did not compromise its natural resources, especially water bodies that millions of citizens depended on.
Mposha was speaking during a courtesy call meeting with Egyptian Ambassador to Zambia, Myada Essam, where the two officials discussed water resource management, environmental protection, and sustainable petroleum development.
He noted that Zambia was endowed with abundant freshwater resources, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands, which played a critical role in agriculture, energy generation, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihoods.
The Minister welcomed the growing interest from Egyptian institutions in helping African countries strengthen environmental safeguards, particularly in petroleum-related activities.
He added that collaboration between Zambia and Egypt would include technical expertise exchange, sharing of best practices, and innovative technologies to enhance environmental protection and water management.
Mposha stressed the need for robust emergency response systems to address incidents such as oil spills, noting that such systems required strong coordination, skilled personnel, and adequate equipment.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening regulatory frameworks, monitoring structures, and enforcement mechanisms to ensure environmentally responsible petroleum development.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Essam announced that a delegation from Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources—comprising companies specialising in environmental safety—was expected to visit Zambia between June and July 2026.
Essam reaffirmed the strong and historic relations between Zambia and Egypt, adding that both countries were committed to turning cooperation into tangible outcomes through practical projects.
She also revealed that Egypt was eager to expedite the signing of an agreement on environmental protection, currently under review, which is expected to boost technical cooperation and joint initiatives between the two nations.
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