Mine expert Charles Mulila has challenged government to move beyond headline figures following President Hakainde Hichilema’s announcement that Zambia has attracted US$10 billion in mining investments.
Speaking to Flava News, Mr. Mulila said that without clear breakdowns and timelines, the figure risks remaining a public relations statement rather than a meaningful economic milestone.
He argues that the critical issue is not the size of the investment alone, but how the funds are being deployed, what Zambia is retaining from the investments, and when citizens will begin to see tangible benefits.
Mr. Mulila has called on government to clearly outline the specific areas where the US$10 billion is being invested, including beneficiation, local procurement, infrastructure development, and skills transfer.
He has further questioned the return on investment for the country, especially at a time when Zambia continues to rely heavily on borrowing to finance national development.
Mr. Mulila acknowledged that mining investments are long-term in nature but stressed that government must provide clear timelines indicating when revenues, jobs, and broader economic benefits will begin to accrue. He also cautioned against using job creation as a blanket justification without addressing the quality, sustainability, and localisation of the jobs being created.
