Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, is making bold moves to transform its rich mineral resources into a hub for electric vehicle (EV) component manufacturing. Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane recently confirmed ongoing talks with global carmakers to establish production plants near the país‘s copper mines, a strategy unveiled during a Bloomberg article. This initiative aims to shift Zambia from a raw material exporter to a key player in the EV supply chain, leveraging its vast copper reserves—estimated at over 2.1 billion metric tons (2.3 billion U.S. tons)—to fuel battery and wiring production.

Strategic Push for Local Manufacturing

The Zambian government is actively courting international carmakers, with Musokotwane emphasizing the potential during a trip to Alemanha last week.

“We have been talking, even last week when I was in Germany, telling these companies to please consider the manufacture of some of your electric-vehicle components in Zambia,” he said at the Africa Business Media Innovators conference in Livingstone on Monday.

The plan involves shipping these components to South African factories, which already export vehicles globally, adding significant value to Zambia’s economy. With only about 20% of its copper—currently processed mainly in China—refined domestically, this shift could retain more wealth locally, potentially boosting the economy by billions of USD annually as manufacturing scales.

Chinese firm Juncheng Design is also exploring the feasibility of setting up an EV assembly plant in Zambia, focusing on electric motorcycles and bicycles. This move aligns with Zambia’s industrialization goals and promises to enhance workforce skills, a critical step as the country targets a skilled labor pool for the growing EV sector.

Zambia Targets Ev Component Manufacturing Near Copper Mines To Boost Industry

Infrastructure and Regional Collaborations

To support this vision, Zambia is investing in infrastructure, including the U.S.-backed Lobito Corridor and China’s modernization of the Tazara railway, which will improve export routes for minerals and potentially value-added products over 1,000 miles of track. Experts note that prioritizing processed goods could maximize economic benefits, a shift from the current raw copper exports.

Additionally, a trilateral agreement signed in December 2022 with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Estados Unidos aims to develop an integrated EV battery value chain, countering China’s dominance in mineral supply and promoting local processing.

This collaboration with DRC and Morocco seeks to strengthen Africa’s EV value chain, with Morocco’s established EV manufacturing industry benefiting from a steady mineral supply. For EV enthusiasts, this could mean more affordable components as production costs drop with local sourcing.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite the copper boom, most Zambians near mines have seen little improvement in living standards, placing pressure on the government to ensure new investments translate into jobs and community benefits rather than perpetuating raw resource exports. Regulatory hurdles and infrastructure gaps—such as electricity generation and charging networks—require attention to fazer Zambia a true manufacturing hub.

Musokotwane also critiqued the cancellation of U.S. aid programs, acknowledging a natural decline but highlighting its impact on Zambia and Africa. The next few years will be crucial as Zambia works to turn its mineral wealth into broader prosperity through the EV revolution. If successful, this strategy could position Zambia as a key node in the global clean energy transition, creating skilled jobs and fostering economic growth for years to come.

Photo courtesy of Reuters and Stafrance Zulu.