On 20th June, 2023, the Seminar on China-Zambia Energy Cooperation hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia and undertaken by the Association of Chinese Corporation in Zambia (ACCZ) was held in Lusaka. Hon. Mr. Peter Kapala, Minister of Energy of Zambia, Hon. Mr. Cornelius Mweetwa, Minister of Southern Province, and Hon. Mr. Credo Nanjuwa, Minister of Central Province, Mr. Du Xiaohui, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Mr. Zheng Chao, Executive Vice President of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), Mr. Xu Helin, General Representative of China Nonferrous Mining Corporation (CNMC) Group in South Central Africa attended the Seminar and delivered their speeches.
Hon. Mr. Peter Kapala said that he appreciates China's assistance to the development of Zambia’s energy sector. Zambia has abundant energy reserves such as hydropower and solar energy, and has broad prospects for the development of the green economy. The Zambian government welcomes more Chinese companies to invest in Zambia and promote Zambia's green transformation. The Zambian side will provide necessary assistance and maximum convenience to this end.
Hon. Mr. Cornelius Mweetwa and Hon. Mr. Credo Nanjuwa respectively introduced the development of the energy sector of their provinces, investment policies and cooperation with China. Mr. Mweetwa said that Zambia and China have a solid foundation for energy cooperation. The KGL project provides a solid guarantee for the local power supply. Chinese companies are welcomed to provide more employment opportunities for 2.38 million people on this 86,000 square kilometers of land which is full of business opportunities and vitality, and lay the foundation for Zambia-China practical cooperation. Mr. Nanjuwa said that this seminar is in line with the 8th National Development Plan and the strategy of strengthening partnerships with the private sector of Zambia. Jiangxi Multifunctional Economic Zone and a large number of Chinese enterprises have taken root in the Central Province. The Province will strengthen partnerships with Chinese companies to promote investment, create jobs and transform its economy.
Ambassador Du said that this seminar is to implement the important consensus between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. As the practical cooperation between China and Zambia has accelerated since the China-Zambia Trade and Investment Forum last year, the necessity and crucial opportunity for energy cooperation have become prominent. The Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station Project and the Solar Power Plant undertaken by Chinese companies have been completed one after another, which greatly alleviated the local energy shortage, showing that China has always been an ideal and reliable cooperative partner of Zambia in the field of energy. China will fully implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, take full advantages in technology and experience of clean energy development and utilization, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with Zambia in the field of new energy, and support Zambia to accelerate the development of energy industries with high quality and low cost, to enhance the ability to guarantee global energy supply, optimize the energy structure, reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, and jointly address the climate change. The Chinese Embassy in Zambia is willing to build more and broader stages for the enterprises of the two countries, and jointly contribute to shaping an all-weather, all-dimensional and high-quality China-Zambia relationship.
Mr. Zheng Chao introduced the delegation of the CCCME and the itinerary of the visit to Zambia. Mr. Zheng said that it is the largest Chinese business delegation to Zambia since the pandemic of COVID-19. Chinese entrepreneurs are eagerly looking forward to investing in Zambia. They will take this seminar as an opportunity to develop ideas, find business opportunities, tap into potentials, and promote the China-Zambia practical cooperation to a new level.
Mr. Xu Helin said that member companies of the ACCZ will implement the consensus of the two heads of state, continue to cultivate in Zambia, and carry out extensive cooperation in various fields with the advantages in technology and international development.
Afterwards, Zambian ministerial officials had a long and warm interaction with the Chinese entrepreneurs.
The seminar attracted more than 60 representatives of well-known energy companies in China and Zambia. Representatives of the CCCME, entrepreneurs from China and Zambia, and Zambian government departments conducted in-depth discussions on the energy policies, development trends, future plans and cooperation opportunities of Zambia, laying a solid foundation for future investment and cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries.