Zambia Seeks Swiss Partnerships to Expand Copper Trading, Value Addition and Industrial Growth
Zambia is stepping up efforts to attract Swiss investment as it seeks to move further up the mineral value chain, expand copper trading activities, and boost local value addition in support of its ambitious mining growth targets.
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) recently hosted a business forum bringing together Swiss companies and Zambian stakeholders to explore investment opportunities across mining, commodity trading, energy, logistics, manufacturing, and agribusiness.
The discussions focused on strengthening economic cooperation while supporting Zambia’s industrialisation agenda, job creation efforts, and long-term economic diversification strategy.
Speaking during the engagement, ZDA Director General Albert Halwampa emphasized Zambia’s determination to capture greater value from its mineral resources by increasing participation in global commodity trading and downstream processing activities.
He noted that Switzerland remains one of the world’s leading commodity trading hubs, hosting major global traders such as Glencore, Trafigura, and Mercuria.
Their expertise, he said, could play a significant role in helping Zambia develop a stronger presence in international mineral markets while creating opportunities for local value addition.
Halwampa also highlighted the strategic role that ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) could play in expanding Zambia’s footprint within global commodity trading and ensuring a larger share of mining revenues remains within the country.
Supporting Zambia’s Copper Production Ambitions
Zambia has set an ambitious target of producing three million tonnes of copper annually by 2031, a goal that will require substantial investment across the mining value chain.
According to Halwampa, achieving this objective will depend not only on increased mining investment but also on the development of reliable energy infrastructure and efficient transport networks capable of supporting higher production volumes and facilitating exports to international markets.
Enhanced logistics systems and power generation capacity are expected to be critical enablers of Zambia’s mining sector expansion as demand for copper continues to grow globally, driven by electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and modern energy infrastructure projects.
Swiss Businesses Explore Long-Term Opportunities
The Swiss delegation was led by Ms. Budliger Artieda, who explained that the mission was designed around Zambia’s economic priorities and development objectives.
The delegation included representatives from companies involved in commodity trading, energy, logistics, and industrial manufacturing, alongside members of the African Swiss Business Circle, an organisation that promotes economic cooperation and business partnerships between Switzerland and African countries.
Artieda said Zambia’s vast copper reserves and strong economic potential present significant opportunities for deeper commercial collaboration between the two nations. She stressed that the objective was not simply to secure access to raw materials but to establish sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships.
“We are here to create a win-win situation for both the Zambian people and the Swiss people,” she said.
She further emphasized that successful investments should generate local economic value, create employment opportunities, and contribute to skills development, particularly for Zambia’s growing youth population.
Beyond Mining Extraction
The discussions reflect Zambia’s broader strategy of attracting investment beyond mineral extraction and into higher-value activities such as commodity trading, processing, manufacturing, and support industries.
By building stronger linkages across the mining value chain, Zambia aims to maximize the economic benefits derived from its natural resources while creating more opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers.
As the global demand for copper continues to rise, the country is positioning itself not only as a leading producer but also as a significant participant in the international copper trading and minerals processing landscape.
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