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Economist Lubinda Haabazoka has identified key sectors in Zambia ripe for strategic partnerships with Russian businesses, particularly in automotive, electric-vehicle (EV) components, agritech, and energy.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday, Haabazoka, a former president of the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ), said Zambia’s rich endowment in critical minerals such as cobalt, manganese, and lithium positions the country as an ideal partner for Russia’s advanced engineering capabilities.
“Zambia’s mineral wealth perfectly complements Russia’s expertise in automotive and EV component manufacturing, creating opportunities for local production of electric-vehicle parts,” he said.
In addition to the automotive sector, Haabazoka spotlighted agriculture as another area for collaboration, noting that every Zambian province possesses significant arable land. He suggested that technology transfers from Russian agritech firms could help improve crop yields and modernise Zambia’s agricultural sector.
On energy cooperation, Haabazoka highlighted Russia’s potential to assist Zambia in addressing its energy shortages through cross-border electricity trade and regional grid integration initiatives.
Outlining the broader benefits of such partnerships, he said Zambia stood to gain through value addition, technology transfer, and access to diversified export markets.
“By moving from raw mineral exports to component manufacturing, we can capture greater value locally. Joint ventures will also enable skills development in electric-vehicle production, agritech, and energy infrastructure,” he said.
Haabazoka stressed the importance of forming authentic, investment-driven partnerships rather than aid-based relationships, in line with his long-standing position on reducing donor dependency.
He urged Zambian investors and entrepreneurs to actively engage Russian companies in these sectors and pursue transparent, mutually beneficial deals.
He further encouraged them to explore alternative trade routes through Russia and Eurasia to lessen reliance on traditional Western markets.
“They should also prioritise capacity building, invest in technical training, and ensure that any partnerships are structured to sustainably grow Zambia’s economy,” Haabazoka advised.
The forum attracted global business leaders and policymakers seeking to deepen economic ties amid shifting geopolitical landscapes.
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