CHINSALI, MUCHINGA PROVINCE β President Hakainde Hichilema has declared Muchinga Province a cornerstone of Zambia’s future economic growth, urging investors to capitalize on its vast resources and unveiling a plan for formalized, safe mining practices.
Speaking during the official opening of the Muchinga Investment Expo, the President painted a vision of the region as an agricultural, energy, and mining hub, essential for driving national development and creating wealth for its citizens.
President Hichilema highlighted the provinceβs abundant water bodies, fertile soils, and rich mineral deposits.
βThis expo will open doors to many investment in Energy, Mining and Agriculture. We have everything in Muchinga, let us work hard,β He noted.
The President underscored Zambiaβs strategic advantage as the largest seed producer in the region and directed that this production capacity be extended into Muchinga to boost agricultural output.
Beyond agriculture, he pointed to energy generation and fertilizer production as key sectors for development, noting that Zambia already exports fertilizer to eight neighbouring countries, a market Muchinga is poised to supply.
A significant portion of the address focused on reforming the mining sector, particularly in districts like Mpika, Shiwangβandu, and Isoka.
The President firmly rejected the idea of the region descending into the instability associated with other mineral-rich areas.
βWe do not want Mpika, Shiwangβandu, Isoka to turn into another Congo. We need a stable, secure country,β he asserted.
To achieve this, he announced a streamlined and secure licensing framework. βThere is only one licensing body for mining, the Ministry of Mining. We will issue licenses for artisanal mining, but mining must be done legally, formally, and safely. We must sell in a formal market to preserve our country.β
This call for formalization is aimed at curbing illegal mining, ensuring environmental protection, and guaranteeing that the nation and its people benefit fully from its mineral wealth.
The message was a clear directive for Muchinga to claim its rightful position on the national economic agenda. By combining its natural bounty with secure, transparent investment processes, the government believes Muchinga is ready to become a major engine for Zambia’s prosperity.
