Governor Fifi Masuka Calls for Stronger DRC–Zambia Partnership to Drive Sustainable Mining and Local Value Creation
Lualaba Governor Fifi Masuka Urges DRC–Zambia Cooperation for Responsible Mining, Value Addition, and Africa’s Energy Transition
The Governor of Lualaba Province, Her Excellency Fifi Masuka Saini, has called for closer cooperation between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to promote value addition, local processing, and sustainable mining governance across the region.
Delivering her keynote address at the Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka in Lusaka, Governor Masuka paid tribute to President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC and President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia for their visionary leadership in shaping Africa’s mining transformation agenda.
“Mr. President, you have made Zambia a regional hub for economic dialogue and mining cooperation. Your vision aligns with that of our Head of State, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to make mining in Africa the foundation of a sovereign and responsible continent,” she said.
A Shared Mining Destiny
Governor Masuka emphasized that Lualaba and Zambia share not only borders but also a rich geological, economic, and cultural heritage, tracing the mineral belt that runs from Kitwe, Ndola, and Mufulira in Zambia to Kolwezi and Kamoa in the DRC.
She called on both nations to move beyond the export of raw minerals and instead focus on local transformation to generate jobs, stimulate industrialization, and create shared prosperity.
“Africa must become the workshop of its own wealth — through technology, research, and the training of its sons and daughters,” she stated.
Reforming for Responsible Mining
Under President Tshisekedi’s leadership, the DRC has embarked on comprehensive reforms in the mining sector, with Lualaba Province serving as the model for inclusive and transparent mining governance.
Governor Masuka outlined four key pillars guiding these reforms:
Good governance and transparency — ensuring mineral traceability and combating illegal exploitation;
Formalization of the artisanal mining sector, which employs more than 400,000 Congolese and supports thousands of families;
Community dialogue and participation, ensuring local populations directly benefit from mining wealth;
Local mineral processing and value addition, exemplified by Kamoa Copper SA, which operates Africa’s largest copper smelter, producing 99.9 percent pure anodes.
She reaffirmed that Lualaba — the world’s cobalt capital — aims to become a model of responsible, inclusive, and transformative mining.
“These efforts aim to make Lualaba a driver of human development — a province where mining wealth translates into schools, hospitals, and opportunities for all,” she noted.
Regional Integration for a Sustainable Future
Governor Masuka underscored the importance of regional integration to achieve long-term sustainability. She called for the harmonization of mining policies, shared infrastructure development, and the creation of a regional value chain for critical minerals to accelerate Africa’s role in the global energy transition.
“The Lobito Corridor, linking the DRC, Zambia, and Angola, represents a major opportunity. It is faster, more efficient, and less costly — a symbol of an Africa that is integrated, interconnected, competitive, and sustainable,” she said.
She also highlighted the Kolwezi–Solwezi road as a vital artery connecting two mining hubs, describing it as “a bridge between two brotherly peoples and two complementary economies.”
A Call for Unity and Transformation
Closing her address, Governor Masuka urged African nations to unite around a shared mining vision through collaborative platforms like the Insaka.
“Our responsibility is clear — to turn our underground wealth into above-ground prosperity, in infrastructure, education, and jobs,” she declared.
“Lualaba and the DRC stand ready to work hand in hand with Zambia and our partners to build a mining industry that is sustainable, equitable, and future-oriented.”
She concluded with a call for continental solidarity:
“May we build a mining Africa that is sovereign, innovative, and united — proud of its resources and master of its destiny. Long live the Democratic Republic of Congo! Long live the Republic of Zambia! Long live Africa!”
