The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has intensified its call for global investment, highlighting growing opportunities across the country’s critical minerals and energy sectors and positioning Zambia as a prime destination for investors in Africa.
Speaking at the 21st Shanghai Metals Market Copper Industry Conference and Expo, ZDA Director General Albert Halwampa pointed to Zambia’s strong policy environment, stable macroeconomic outlook, and peaceful political climate—alongside the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema—as key factors strengthening the country’s global competitiveness.
He announced that Zambia aims to ramp up copper production to 3 million metric tonnes annually by 2031, a significant rise from the current output of about 890,000 tonnes. This expansion will be driven by forward-looking frameworks such as the National Mineral Resource Development Policy and the National Critical Minerals Strategy.
Currently, Zambia accounts for roughly 5 percent of global copper supply and is Africa’s second-largest producer of the metal. The country also produces about 38 percent of Africa’s manganese, reinforcing its position as a strategic supplier of critical raw materials.
Beyond extraction, Zambia is prioritising value addition and industrialisation to maximise economic returns from its mineral wealth, which includes copper, cobalt, manganese, lithium, and nickel.
Halwampa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining an investor-friendly environment through supportive policies and competitive incentives aimed at attracting both domestic and international investors.
He also outlined major opportunities in the energy sector, where Zambia plans to increase installed power capacity from approximately 3,800 MW to 10,000 MW by 2031. This growth will be supported by diversification away from heavy reliance on hydropower toward a broader mix that includes solar, wind, geothermal, waste-to-energy, and thermal sources.
Zambia’s central location further enhances its appeal, offering access to a market of more than 1.3 billion people under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and positioning the country as a gateway for regional trade, manufacturing, and industrial development.
Halwampa invited investors to participate in the Invest Zambia International Conference (IZIC) 2026 and explore opportunities in mineral processing, renewable energy, and value chain development within Multi-Facility Economic Zones.
He also expressed support for the inaugural Shanghai Metals Market Conference on Critical Minerals, scheduled to take place in Lusaka in October 2026, and welcomed the company’s decision to establish its first African office in the capital—describing it as a strong endorsement of Zambia’s rising status as a regional investment hub.
“Zambia offers stability, opportunity, and a clear path to sustainable growth—making this the right time to invest,” he said.
