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The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has approved 116 out of 121 projects, representing a total investment of US$1.91 billion, with the mining and mineral processing sector leading the way.
ZEMA Acting Director General, Karen Etondo, in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, confirmed that the projects were approved during the agency’s 9th sitting in September 2024.
Etondo noted that the mining and mineral processing sector had the highest number of approvals, with 46 projects.
This was followed by the manufacturing and processing sector, which saw 29 projects approved, and the energy sector, with 24 projects receiving the green light.
“The Infrastructure Development sector had 9 projects approved, while the Agriculture and Forestry sectors had 7,” she added.
The tourism sector, however, recorded the fewest applications, with only one project approved.
In terms of investment, the energy sector led with a total investment cost of $1.76 billion.
Read More: ZEMA moves to expedite processes for granting energy, water projects approvals
The manufacturing and processing sector followed with $66.80 million, while the mining and mineral processing sector saw investments amounting to $45.50 million.
Among the approved projects in the energy sector were initiatives expected to generate 675 megawatts (MW) of electricity, including 300 MW from a thermal power plant, 355 MW from hydroelectric plants and 20 MW from solar plants.
Etondo also highlighted that ZEMA was prioritizing the assessment of electricity and water harvesting projects in response to the recent national declaration of drought as a disaster and emergency, to prevent delays in critical interventions.
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