President of Zambia and President of Botswana to Attend Mining Indaba 2022

Global Mining Review, March 2, 2022

Investing in African Mining Indaba has announced that the President of the Republic of Zambia and the President of the Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, have confirmed their attendance at Investing in African Mining Indaba, taking place in Cape Town from 9 – 12 May 2022.

Newly elected President Hichilema, who was inaugurated in August 2021, has been hailed as an inspiration after he reversed his fortunes – having been imprisoned for 127 days after the 2016 elections he went on to secure a landslide victory in the 2021 polls.

Now the seventh president of Zambia, President Hichilema has pledged to foster a better democracy through respect for the rule of law, restoring order and protecting human rights. He also hopes to restore confidence in the country as a mining investment destination.

Zambia’s mining investment climate deteriorated in recent years as the previous administration pursued resource nationalism, leading to damaged relationships with investors and lower levels of investment. According to the the Zambia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, mining accounted for 79.5% of Zambia's total exports and nearly 31.4% of government revenues in 2020.

President Hichilema is expected to share his vision of a new dawn for Zambia, in which macroeconomic stability is restored and sustainable, inclusive economic growth is promoted. Believing that the mining sector can be an important catalyst for national development, his government is looking to significantly increase the production of copper and other minerals so that Zambia can reclaim its place as a leading miner on the continent. To support these ambitions President Hichilema has already introduced a friendlier mining tax regime and made clear his intention to bring stability to the sector, as well as ensuring regulatory fairness and the elimination of obstacles that stand in the way of new investment.

The President believes that stronger relationships – between the government, miners and local communities – will improve equitable growth and help the country to deliver for its citizens.

Mining remains Botswana’s biggest revenue earner, accounting for approximately 85% of national foreign exchange earnings, one-third of government revenue, and one-fifth of GDP. In recent years the government has actively sought to diversify its economy from its reliance on mining, particularly diamonds.

While Botswana continues to be one of the world’s largest diamond producers by volume, President Masisi has been actively advocating for expansion and development of the country’s diamond, coal, copper, silver and gold resources. He is also encouraging greater investment in a knowledge-based economy and the adoption of innovation in mining.

Building on the Mining Indaba 2022’s theme – Evolution of African Mining – the President is expected to share his insights on Botswana’s progress and his ambition to develop a vibrant and diversified mineral sector that contributes to the sustainable development of the Botswana economy in an inclusive manner that allows for the participation of local indigenous business. The government of Botswana wants to ensure that investments in its economy offer mutually beneficial upside to both the investor and local partners.

Facilitating greater local participation in the economy led to the launch of the government’s Middle Income Strategy in December 2021. The objective the strategy is to facilitate the middle class to effectively participate in the economy through the creation of globally competitive sustainable businesses and by boosting employment opportunities.

After the virtual event in 2021, the May 2022 Mining Indaba is back in person and is looking at the future, at moving forward. The programme content for 2022 is geared towards exploring the key drivers of investment decisions within the African mining market and forging the future direction of the African mining industry. A significant platform for over 27 years, the Indaba will this year expand its industry-leading content to include a Green Metals Day, a Host Buyer Programme and an Infrastructure & Supply Chain content stream. The investment battlefield has also been reimagined as the Innovation & Research Battlefield to encourage collaboration between the mining industry and academia.

The overarching theme: ‘Evolution of African Mining: Investing in the Energy Transition, ESG and the Economies’ is set to inspire new approaches, spark conversations and encourage partnerships that will truly transform mining on the continent.

Image: Sebastian Pichler via Unslpash