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Leading mining entrepreneur, Dr. Sixtus Mulenga, has praised the Zambian government for restoring investor confidence in the mining sector, attracting significant new commitments from global mining companies.
Speaking at the Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka in Lusaka, Mulenga highlighted that Zambia had secured over US$10 billion in new investments since 2021 under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership.
“Investor confidence has been restored. Major global mining companies are recommitting to Zambia, bringing new projects and expanding existing operations,” Mulenga said.
Read more: Zambia attracts over $12 billion in mining investment, as sector hits historic milestones
He noted that the renewed interest reflected the stability, predictability, and reforms implemented in the sector, transforming it into a key driver of economic growth and job creation.
Mulenga also emphasized the government’s efforts to empower artisanal and small-scale miners through formalization programs, ensuring that local communities benefited from Zambia’s mineral wealth.
“Supporting small-scale miners is critical for inclusive growth, as it provides livelihoods and formalizes an important part of our mining economy,” he said.
“The mining sector is now a safe and attractive destination for international investors,” Mulenga added.
He said: “This surge in investment signals not only the potential of Zambia’s mineral wealth but also the government’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment.”
Mulenga further noted that these investments were expected to boost copper production, create thousands of jobs, and support downstream processing, positioning Zambia as a competitive player in the global mining industry.
“On behalf of the Chamber of Mines, Women in Mining, and the Federation of Small-Scale Mining Associations of Zambia, we commend the government for unlocking Zambia’s mineral wealth for the benefit of its people,” Mulenga stated.
Adding to the optimism, Head of the European Cooperation in Zambia and COMESA, Claudio Bacigalupi, praised Zambia’s leadership and ongoing collaboration in the mining sector.
He commended government’s efforts to make mining sustainable, inclusive, and respectful of local communities and the environment.
“The EU’s partnership with Zambia continues to drive our joint efforts in responsible mining. Our strategic memorandum of understanding, signed in October 2023, establishes a framework for enhanced collaboration, sustainable supply chains, and value addition within Zambia’s critical mineral sector,” Bacigalupi said.
He highlighted its 360-degree approach to mining in Zambia, which went beyond extraction to include environmental protection, social inclusion, adoption of ESG standards, capacity building, technology transfer, and local content development.
Bacigalupi said the approach also underscored the strategic importance of infrastructure development in energy and transport, including the ongoing interconnector projects with Tanzania and Kenya, and the Lobito Corridor linking Zambia’s mining heartlands to international markets via Angola.
He further announced plans to host the first Zambia-Lobito Business Forum in Lusaka from November 12–14, bringing together government officials, business leaders, and investors from 27 member states to explore new investment opportunities and partnerships promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.
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