MOPANI CHAMPIONS LOCAL SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT AND COPPER VALUE ADDITION AT COPPERBELT 2030 CEO PANEL

Mopani Copper Mines PLC Chief Executive Officer Charles Sakanya has called for greater investment in local suppliers and copper manufacturing plants as Zambia works towards its target of producing three million tonnes of finished copper annually by 2031.

Speaking at the Copperbelt 2030 CEO panel during the 2026 Zambia Institute of Marketing (ZIM) Copperbelt Regional Marketing Conference at Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe, Mr. Sakanya said growth in copper production should translate into more business for Zambian enterprises and more jobs for the citizens.

“As we expand copper production, we want more Zambian businesses to grow with the mining industry. At Mopani, that means helping local suppliers and contractors build their capacity and creating opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in our supply chain,” he said.

Mr. Sakanya called for more investment in manufacturing to capture greater value from Zambia’s copper within the country.

“Processing more of our copper into finished products here in Zambia would expand our manufacturing base, create jobs and broaden the tax base. That is how we can turn higher copper output into lasting economic opportunity,” he said.

Mopani is currently collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Copperbelt University to implement a robust Supplier Development Programme (SDP), which involves developing the capacity of local suppliers and contractors.

A total of 15 local companies were initially onboarded under the pilot Mopani SDP but plans are underway to onboard more vendors and increase the number to 60 next year.

The high-level Copperbelt 2030 CEO panel discussion also the following national business leaders:

•           Mr. Mulumba Lwatula – Industrial Development Corporation (IDC);

•           Mr. Gideon Chibwe – Head of Mines and Metals, Zanaco Bank;

•           Mr. Chimuka Ng’andu – Sales Manager North, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC);

•           Dr. Steven Mwale – Managing Director, Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company;

•           Dr. Mbachi Nkwazi – Chief Executive Officer, Power Tools Logistics; and

•           Mr. Chishala Malekano – head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Termites Meat Suppliers.