President Hichilema Highlights Strategic Partnerships at Mining Indaba 2026
Resources Key to Revitalising Africa, Mining Indaba Hears
CAPE TOWN, 9 February 2026 – Africa’s resource wealth has the potential to drive unprecedented prosperity but only when harnessed through strategic partnerships, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema told delegates at the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026.
Delivering the keynote speech on the opening day of the continent’s largest mining investment event, President Hichilema emphasized that mining is central to revitalizing Africa and securing its rightful place in the global economy.
Drawing on Zambia’s experience, President Hichilema outlined how his government had made the revitalization of the country’s mining sector a cornerstone of its economic agenda through regulatory certainty, transparency, strengthened institutions, and advanced mining technologies.
“With the global rise in demand for copper essential for AI, defense, and electrification Zambia is poised to benefit from unprecedented opportunities,” said President Hichilema.
The President highlighted the transformative power of partnerships:
“Zambia agrees that we are stronger together. We all have capabilities, endowments, skills, and experience, but no single one of us has enough to deliver the total package for our economies.”
Zambia’s Mining Success Story
President Hichilema detailed Zambia’s economic turnaround, with growth accelerating from 2.8% to 6.4% in four years, driven largely by partnerships with mining houses. He emphasized that clear strategies and leadership are critical for attracting investors:
“We have to take leadership. If we do that, others will support our strategies. It’s easy to support people with a clear vision.”
The country’s medium-term goal is to reach three million tonnes of copper per year. Achievements to date include:
Ending endemic litigation in the mining sector
Completing 38 months of IMF Extended Credit Facility reviews
Reducing inflation from 22% to single digits
Attracting over $12 billion in foreign investment since 2022, primarily in mining
Increasing copper production by 12% in 2024 and 8% in 2025
Mining has also become a driver of social impact, funding free education for 2.3 million children and creating jobs for small and medium-sized businesses.
Zambia is completing its first high-resolution geophysical survey in 50 years, streamlining approvals and reducing exploration risk for investors.
The Power of Partnerships
President Hichilema stressed the importance of regional value chains and beneficiation:
“Whether it’s the Tazara Railway or the Lobito Corridor, we need to focus not just on transport, but on what we are transporting. Mining is about empowerment, equity, and shared prosperity.”
The Mining Indaba platform facilitates direct dialogue between African governments and the global mining community, allowing for collaboration on investment, technology, and sustainable growth strategies.
South African Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, reinforced the message, emphasizing collective action:
“Trade unionists understand that workers cannot negotiate alone. The same applies to Africa. We must negotiate mining and beneficiation deals as a single economy.”
