Future Preneurs Zambia Executive Director Martin Kampamba says there is growing optimism around local content reforms in the mining sector, but warns that the real test lies in effective implementation.
Speaking to Flava News, Mr. Kampamba said Zambia is beginning to see “some light at the end of the tunnel” with regard to local content policies. However, he stressed that the country urgently needs to move from policy pronouncements to actual implementation, particularly in the areas of mineral beneficiation and value addition.
He noted that despite the establishment of processing plants and increased mining activity on the Copperbelt, enforcement mechanisms remain weak, with limited pressure on mining companies to make meaningful investments in surrounding communities.
Mr. Kampamba called on the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to move beyond the voluntary Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) model and actively implement a mandatory Corporate Social Investment (CSI) framework.
He said civil society organisations, including Future Preneurs Zambia, want to see laws that compel mining companies—especially foreign investors—to undertake structured, measurable, and impactful social investments that directly benefit host communities.
According to Mr. Kampamba, enforcing such measures would significantly improve local livelihoods and ensure that the benefits of mining activities genuinely trickle down to communities where resources are extracted.
