From October 25-27, The Norwegian-African Business Association (NABA) led a successful business mission to Zambia. With a focus on energy, agriculture, and the critical minerals value chain, the visit underlined the country’s growing importance as an investment destination, driven by a comprehensive reform program under president Hakainde Hichilema’s government.

Group photo from the business delegation’s meeting with president Hakainde Hichilema

The business mission featured many high level meetings with policymakers and members of the business community, as well as site visits to the Kansanshi copper mine in Solwezi, hosted by First Quantum Minerals, and the commissioning of 260 Brands new plant-based milk factory in Lusaka, the first of its kind in Zambia.

Arguably the highlight of the business mission was a roundtable meeting with His Excellency Haikainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, at the State House in Lusaka on the morning of the 26th of October. The delegation spent an hour with the president, whose government is pursuing a comprehensive reform program that is positioning Zambia as a key investment destination, fuelling investor interest. He outlined key priorities such as the need for mineral producers like Zambia to capture more of the critical minerals value chain to drive economic development, also discussing concrete opportunities for partnership with Norway in this and other sectors

The delegation also met with H.E. Peter Chibwe Kapala, Zambia's Minister of Energy, hosted at the offices of Africa GreenCo, discussing the growing need for renewable energy, and active steps being taken by the government to scale up investment, as well as the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development for a roundtable discussion about the country’s plans to boost copper production and to develop its critical minerals reserves.

On the private sector side the delegation participated in an investor networking meeting hosted by Women Leaders for Climate Action (WLCA) at ABSA Bank’s headquarters, as well as visits to the offices of Africa Greenco and Jewel of Africa, all of which provided invaluable insight into Zambia’s business environment and an opportunity to engage with private sector leaders.

The week was topped off by a series of roundtable discussions focused on Zambia’s renewable energy sector, exploring investment opportunities, and policies being implemented by the government to develop and scale up the market. This included presentations by companies active in the sector, such as Africa GreenCo, Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), and Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company (LHCP).

Following the energy session, representatives from the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), presented the work of the agency for the delegation. ZDA’s mandate revolves around promoting and facilitating trade, investment and enterprise development in Zambia.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all of the delegates that participated, as well as the representatives from government and the private sector in Zambia for making the business mission an outstanding success.

The trip has clearly highlighted the opportunities for partnership between Norway and Zambia, and we look forward to building on the momentum generated during this mission and exploring new avenues for mutually beneficial business ventures in the future.