By:
Kanto Kai Okanta
The
Southern African Development Community (SADC) region has launched a new
initiative aimed at building sustainable, inclusive, and value-adding energy
transition mineral value chains across Southern Africa.
The
programme, supported financially by Germany’s International Climate Initiative
(IKI) and led by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), will
be implemented across six countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The
initiative seeks to ensure that Africa’s growing mineral resources are not only
extracted but also processed in ways that promote sustainable
industrialisation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth, particularly as
global demand for critical minerals continues to rise.
At
the launch, Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for Mines, Dr Hapenga M. Kabeta, noted
that the region has a strategic opportunity to move beyond raw material exports
and take a stronger role in global green industrial development.
ECA
Director for Southern Africa, Ms Eunice Kamwendo, emphasized the importance of
regional cooperation, value addition, and responsible mining practices in
building competitive and sustainable mineral value chains across the region.
Representing
Germany’s International Climate Initiative, Ms Verena Stöckigt reaffirmed
support for efforts to promote energy transition through mineral value chains
in a manner that is environmentally and socially responsible.
From
Zambia’s Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Permanent Secretary Dr
Douty Chibamba cautioned that mineral extraction and processing must not
undermine ecosystems and natural resources. He stressed the need for the sector
to generate employment, support local enterprise development, enable skills
transfer, and ensure transparent benefit sharing.
The
initiative is expected to strengthen Southern Africa’s position as a key global
supplier of sustainable energy transition minerals while promoting equitable
distribution of benefits across society.
