Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, MP says there is need to add value to minerals in order to stop exporting jobs.  During the High-level Dialogue; Enhancing Africa’s Value in Mineral Value Chains, on the sidelines of the U.S- Africa Business Summit in Gaborone, Botswana, Hon. Mulenga called on African countries to collaborate with each other as opposed to competing. “For a change, we strongly believe that we need to locally add value to our minerals which will help us stop the capital flight, exporting jobs and industries,” Hon. Mulenga said.

 The Minister said collaborations in the European and Asian countries was visible and urged African countries to take a leaf from them. He said Zambia was getting into partnerships with countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and Zimbabwe in exploring various sectors. The Minister pointed out the partnership between the Government of Botswana and De Beers saying it is a path that most African countries should take.  He said Zambia was encouraging partnerships and joint ventures. The Minister added that policies should be investor-friendly and private-sector-driven so that everybody is on board.  

Earlier during the official opening of the U.S-Africa Business Summit, the President of the Republic of Botswana Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi hoped that the Summit would come up with resolutions that would lead to the deepening of U.S-Africa trade relations. Delegates who are attending the Summit include His Excellency Mr. Felipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, His Excellency Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger.   Other dignitaries include His Excellency Mr. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, His Excellency Mr. Sipho Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, Vice-President of Namibia. The Minister is accompanied by Mr. John Mulongoti, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry, Mr. Albert Halwampa, Director General, Zambia Development Agency and senior Government officials.

 Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, MP, paid a courtesy call at the Zambia High Commission in Gaborone. He urged the officers to be united and urged them to work hard to realise the Governments developmental agenda and deepen economic ties between the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Botswana.