The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Permanent Secretary in-charge of Investments and Industrialization Crusivia Hichikumba has emphasized the importance of the recently launched Rapid Assessment Report on Value Addition and Diversification, report in guiding Zambia’s economic transformation agenda.

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) officially launched the Rapid Assessment Report on Value Addition and Diversification.

The report provides Zambia with evidence-based pathways to industrialization and economic diversification beyond raw commodity exports.

The report highlights Zambia’s current economic structure, which remains heavily dependent on mineral extraction with limited downstream processing. This dependence has made the economy vulnerable to global commodity price fluctuations, exchange rate movements, and external financing conditions.

To address these challenges, the study identifies:

• 412 potential diversification products across 25 sectors
• 73 products directly linked to CETM value chains
• Opportunities to strengthen mining-adjacent manufacturing, services, and technology-intensive activities

The report also underscores the need to address infrastructure gaps, improve skilled human capital, and bridge the mismatch between industry needs and academic training.

Mr. Hichikumba expressed gratitude to UNCTAD under the leadership of Secretary-General Ms. Rebeca Grynspan for providing technical analysis and identifying Zambia’s potential growth products, particularly in the critical energy transition mineral (CETM) value chain.

 “This assessment has brought out key actionable areas for policy consideration if Zambia is to move up the value chain and achieve her industrialization and diversification goals,” he said. “As the Ministry responsible, we will swing into action and coordinate with other government agencies to implement the recommendations.”

He also acknowledged the Republic of Japan for sponsoring the assessment, noting that Zambia values the long-standing partnership between the two nations.

Mr. Hichikumba stressed that Zambia’s endowment of critical minerals, regional market access, and policy focus on industrialization present significant opportunities for structural transformation. However, realizing this potential will require coordinated efforts across government agencies and strategic investment in productive capabilities.

“This report provides decision-oriented insights to support Zambia’s export diversification, industrialization agenda, investment promotion efforts, and inclusive growth objectives,” he noted.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the report’s recommendations and driving Zambia’s economic transformation.