Earlier this year, Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, Permanent Secretary at Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, met with France’s Ambassador to Zambia, Thomas Rossignol.
During the meeting, Ambassador Rossignol reaffirmed France’s willingness to provide technical and financial support to Zambia’s fast-growing copper sector, with a focus on fair, balanced, and long-term cooperation.
Zambia’s rich natural resources have drawn strong interest from international companies. However, this interest has not always translated into respect for local communities, the environment, or national sovereignty. In recent years, irresponsible practices have led to serious environmental and human consequences.
France’s support aims to help Zambia strengthen its economic sovereignty by promoting local value-added industries, supporting a Zambian workforce, and encouraging higher environmental standards.
Through this partnership, the objective goes beyond bilateral cooperation. It reflects a broader African imperative. Moving away from raw material exports and toward local transformation, industrial capacity and skills development.