The European Union (EU) hosts a Business Forum that brings together the representatives of the Government of Zambia, Zambian business representatives and representatives of European and foreign companies active in the copper industry.
This event is the first concrete action in the framework of the partnership on sustainable raw material value chains between the EU and the Republic of Zambia, for which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in October 2023.
The EU-Zambia Business Forum will take place from the 10 to 12 April 2024 in Kitwe, the Copperbelt Province.
Industry experts from Europe and Zambia, policymakers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders along the copper value chain will explore opportunities for innovative solutions for sustainable growth and green investments in the Zambia copper industry.
The forum will showcase investment opportunities for copper value addition in Zambia. Business to business sessions will connect Zambian and European entrepreneurs who seek partnerships along the copper value chain.
H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, the Guest of Honour of the event, will address the Opening Session of the Forum. The Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry, the Minister of Mines and Mineral development and the Minister of Green Economy and Environment will also attend the forum.
The Delegation of the European Union will be led by Mr Henrik Hololei, Special Adviser at the European Commission Directorate for International Partnerships. Member States of the European Union will also be present with political and business delegations.
We expect more than 100 companies from Europe and Zambia to attend the forum and more than 200 participants.
With copper global demand projected to nearly double until 2035, and the green transition as a major objective for Europe and Zambia, the Forum comes at an opportune time to develop ideas and ways of maximising copper production and value addition and to support the private sector in economic diversification and transition to green and circular economy.
As such, the forum marks a significant step towards facilitating partnerships between the European and Zambian enterprises along the copper value chain.
