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Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will benefit from the technical support from the United States (US) government to develop the supply chain for Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).
This will be Zambia’s first ever BEV manufacturing plant setup on the Copperbelt Province, which is a joint venture project undertaken between Zambia and DRC.
According to US Undersecretary of States for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose Fernandez, Zambia and DRC are expected to benefit from the technical support for the supply chain of BEV.
Addressing journalist at the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa on Monday Fernandez said the US government was working with DRC to ensure that the value chain supply was developed.
Fernandez said this would ensure that the private sector had a level playing field to participate in these projects.
He said the US government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zambia and DRC during the Africa Leaders Summit in December 13, 2022.
The agreement was meant to support the two countries develop their supply value chain BEV.
Under the agreement, the US government would support the commitment by the DRC and Zambia to jointly develop a supply chain for BEV.
Statistics indicate that the DRC produces more than 70 percent of the world’s cobalt, with Zambia being the world sixth largest copper producer and the second cobalt producer in Africa.
“Our role is to offer technical support to ensure that the two countries develop battery electric vehicle value chains and come up with a manufacturing plant.
“I will be talking to Zambian and DRC officials at the mining indaba,” he said.
Fernandez is expected to also discuss increased investment and partnerships with Africa to further job growth, greater economic inclusion and sustainable development and opportunity for citizens in the US and across the African continent.
Furthermore, he would engage with government officials, business leaders, investors, and other stakeholders on America’s shared objective of bolstering key supply chains, particularly with respect to the critical minerals vital to a clean energy transition, while respecting environmental, social, and governance standards.
Key to this would be discussions on US energy policy and priorities and the importance of the African mining sector as it links to the broader international economy.
He will be part of discussions at the ongoing Investing in African Mining Indaba in South Africa.
Most importantly, Fernandez was expected to give a keynote address at the conference, focusing on the importance of US support and investment in developing and securing more resilient and sustainable critical mineral supply chains.
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