CAPE TOWN—The Investing in African Mining Indaba has confirmed that Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 summit, marking a significant moment for the continent’s second-largest copper producer.
The event, scheduled to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from Monday, February 9, to Thursday, February 12, comes as Lusaka aggressively pursues a production target of three million metric tonnes of copper by 2031.
Hichilema’s participation is expected to serve as a high-level pitch to global financiers, framing Zambia as the premier destination for critical minerals investment under a modernised, “rules-based” regulatory environment.
The President’s appearance coincides with a broader institutional shift in Zambia, which has recently prioritized digital licensing systems and improved geological data management to reduce friction for international investors. This reformist agenda is aimed at reversing years of stagnating output and positioning the country at the heart of the global energy transition.
Analysts suggest that the “Hichilema effect” characterized by a focus on fiscal transparency and the resolution of long-standing disputes with mining giants has already begun to manifest in improved investor sentiment and a rebound in national production figures.
“President Hichilema’s attendance underscores Zambia’s renewed positioning at the centre of Africa’s evolving mining and investment landscape,” noted the event organisers in a media statement. They emphasized that his participation reinforces the country’s intent to engage openly with partners on the “practical steps required to deliver sustainable growth, value addition, and long-term resilience” in a sector that accounts for over 70% of Zambia’s export earnings.
The 2026 Indaba, themed “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships,” will provide a backdrop for Hichilema to outline how technology-led efficiencies and data-driven exploration are reshaping Zambia’s competitiveness.
With global demand for copper, cobalt, and nickel surging to meet net-zero ambitions, the Zambian delegation is expected to detail the operationalization of major projects, including the super-pit expansion at Lumwana and the resumption of full-scale activities at Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines.
Beyond raw extraction, the President is anticipated to call for deeper alignment between private capital and government strategy regarding local value addition. This push for “industrialized mining” aims to ensure that the anticipated surge in mineral wealth translates into domestic jobs and infrastructure development, rather than remaining a purely extractive endeavor.
As Africa faces increased competition for mining capital from South America and Australia, Zambia’s high-level presence in Cape Town signals a proactive attempt to secure its share of the global investment pie.
