Zambia took yet another important step towards the actualisation of the Zambia- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) cooperation Agreement on the establishment of a value chain in the electric battery and clean energy sector which was signed by the two Governments on 29th April, 2022 in Lusaka, Zambia. The flagging off of the Pre-Feasibility Study follows the Signing of the Agreement for the Establishment of Special Economic Zones dedicated to the Production of Battery Precursors, Batteries and Electric Vehicles on 27th March, 2023 in Kinshasa, DRC.

The Agreement was signed on behalf of the Zambian Government by Honourable Chipoka Mulenga, M.P., Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Honourable Situmbeko Musokwatwane, M.P., Minister of Finance and National Planning and Hounable Paul C. Kabuswe, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development with counterparts from the Democratic Republic of Congo and co-operating partners: Africa Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The Zambia – DRC joint Initiative provides a great opportunity for existing and emerging local companies to benefit from the Initiative and foster the development of mineral-based industrialisation through clean energy. The Initiative further presents an opportunity for the country to increase value addition exports which are expected to eventually improve the living standards of our citizenry.

During the flag off ceremony, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, M.P., stressed that Government was committed to the successful implementation of the Electric Vehicle Battery (EVB) value chain Initiative as it is in line with Government’s stance on promoting local value addition to the country’s resources. This resonates with Zambia’s Vision 2030 of becoming “A Prosperous Middle-Income Nation by 2030”, as it provides opportunities for improving the well-being of Zambian citizens through developing a diversified, balanced and strong industrial sector.

The Pre-feasibility Study is expected to be conducted over a period of 6 months, begging in May. The Pre-Feasibility will involve: Government Interface and Financial Institutions through which they will be need to conduct kickoff meetings, stakeholder identifications, Industrial Zones earmarked and check compliances, identify financing requirements and funding institutions; and Master Plan and Infrastructure Design through which there will be need to develop concept to a detailed design of industrial, residential, commercial, business offices, and infrastructure placements among others.