The Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference Returns for its 12th Edition from 19 to 20 March 2025
Now is an opportune time to invest in Zambia’s mining and energy sectors and this is clearly demonstrated at the annual Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition (ZIMEC).
Returning for its 12th edition and the third held right in the heart of Zambia’s Copperbelt, ZIMEC 2025 will run from the 19th to the 20th of March 2025 at the Garden Court Hotel in the mining city of Kitwe.
Held under the High Patronage of The President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, the event is the largest and most established mining and energy industry event in the country convening national, regional, and international stakeholders to make it the most important industry gathering for Zambia on the global events calendar.
The 2023 edition was headlined by Zambia’s Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Honourable Paul Kabuswe who officially opened the conference and exhibition on behalf of the President playing host to over 400 government leaders, corporate executives, investors, thought leaders and exhibitors from some 20 countries as well as over 75 esteemed industry speakers for 2 days of engaging debate and high-level networking.
ZIMEC 2025 looks set to consolidate on both the past success of the event and Zambia’s triumphant return to the global stage as a leading mining and energy investment destination.
Running under the theme “Promoting Equitable Investment Partnerships, Intra-Regional Mineral Value Chains & Renewable Energy to Catalyse Zambia’s Sustainable Economic Growth”, the event will continue to showcase why Zambia is a reliable investment partner with an increasingly more attractive international investment climate underpinned by progressive policy reforms and good governance.
The conference will carry forward from the previous edition the evolution of the country and region’s ambitions to develop an electric vehicle battery value chain as well as other mineral beneficiation opportunities to capture more value in-country, create jobs and achieve sustainable development.
ZIMEC 2025 will also be the place to get to grips with the country’s burgeoning clean energy investment opportunities and how the country is working to achieve its aspirations of becoming a regional clean energy hub.
Most global studies show that demand for critical minerals such as copper will start outpacing supply in this decade and at the same time the Southern Africa region faces a more than 5000-megawatt power deficit hampering industry, economic growth, and general development.
These twin realities form the global and regional context of opportunities that Zambia is best placed to take advantage of as a key supplier of processed minerals, products, and clean energy.
Zambia’s leadership continues to emphasize its commitment to a transparent and competitive investment climate and the last three years have demonstrated that the government’s policies have struck the right chord with investors as evidenced by the more than USD10 billion in investment commitments in that period.
Notable sector developments driven by these significant investments include the development of the largest nickel mine in Africa and the discovery of what is set to be one of the world’s biggest high-grade large copper mines.
Apart from the growth in base metal production, the constructive support and partnership of the government in the gemstone sector has resulted in Zambia becoming the world’s largest producer of emeralds.
Furthermore, to promote diversification within the mining sector, the government is leading the exploration charge through an expanded geological survey seeking to support exploration for rare earths, lithium, gold, manganese, and graphite among others.
There is also a concerted push for the accelerated development of renewable energy and transport infrastructure. Notable projects and initiatives in this space will be showcased at ZIMEC 2025.
The government has also opened the energy market to private sector players through an open access regime and facilitated off-taker guarantee financing, allowing mining companies to finance captive power for their projects.
This has stimulated growing interest in the sector helping to propel a nascent green bond market to finance renewable energy in Zambia.
More projects are also expected to come through bilateral and multilateral partnerships, opening private sector and government funding for renewable energy projects across the country.
For more information about the event, including registration details and the full agenda, please visit https://zimeczambia.com/ . Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #ZIMEC.
