Zambian envoy in Japan calls for Saudi investment to boost mineral value addition

Tobias Mulimbika, Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan has said that Zambia remained committed to mineral value addition as a key pillar of its economic transformation agenda, the country’s embassy in Tokyo said in a statement.

Mulimbika said the government was prioritising mineral processing and downstream manufacturing to promote industrialisation, create jobs and strengthen participation in regional and global value chains.

He made the remarks during a courtesy call by Ghazi Faisal Binzagr at the Zambian mission, according to Faith Chilube, First Secretary for Press and Public Relations.

Mulimbika said Zambia’s strategic position as a land-linked country bordered by eight nations and its membership in regional economic blocs provided access to a combined market of more than 600 million people.

He also highlighted the importance of key infrastructure corridors — including the Nacala, Dar es Salaam and Beira routes — in strengthening supply chains, facilitating trade and unlocking investment across productive sectors.

Mulimbika said Zambia had adopted Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a model for delivering large-scale infrastructure and was ready to engage Saudi investors in bankable projects aligned with national development priorities.

Binzagr reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s interest in expanding cooperation with Zambia in infrastructure, mining, agriculture, health and energy transition.

“I want to emphasise the importance of optimising value chains to ensure mutual economic benefit, enhancing supply chain resilience, and fostering transparent, credible, and sustainable partnerships,” he said.

He also pointed to opportunities in hydrogen development and called for closer alignment in long-term infrastructure planning.

Both envoys underscored the need for human capital development and skills enhancement to support industrial growth and sustainable economic diversification, particularly given Africa’s youthful population.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Zambia and Saudi Arabia to deepen cooperation and pursue strategic partnerships that support sustainable development and long-term economic resilience.

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