Government has confirmed the completion of the feasibility study of an electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility plant, with positive results indicating that Zambia has enough facilities to set up the plant.
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga has disclosed that the Zambian government is set to establish an electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility plant in the country following positive results from a feasibility study.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Mulenga said the final findings of the feasibility studies will be announced by President Hakainde Hichilema, who launched the initiative with his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mulenga however, could not confirm when is the commencement of the construction likely to start. “once the engagement with the President is done you will get all the details on that.”
In 2022, the Zambian Government and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a historical cooperation agreement to facilitate the development of the value chain in the electric battery and clean energy sector. The Copper Belt Province Minister Elisha Matambo confirmed to ZBT that the plant will be set in Ndola.
The Cooperation Agreement is aimed at providing a framework for bilateral cooperation on the initiative to develop the battery value chain as well as strengthen collaboration between Zambia and DRC.
“We have concluded the feasibility study and the results are very positive but we are waiting to brief the President who will announce to the nation.”
“Once we brief the President next week, then soon we will announce to the nation, so we are done with the study and now the technical team has to brief the President then he will announce to the Country. Remember the launch of this thing was launched by the President and his counterpart from DRC so even the results of this must be announced fully by the President.” Remarked Mulenga.
