ZIMEC 2026 highlights need for integrated infrastructure and shared growth in Africa
Kitwe, Zambia. African leaders have renewed calls for deeper regional cooperation in mining and energy, as policymakers and industry stakeholders gathered for the Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference (ZIMEC) 2026.
Zambia’s Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, underscored the urgency for African nations to work collectively, stressing that stronger partnerships are key to unlocking the continent’s vast natural resource potential.
Speaking on the opening day of the conference, Kabuswe pointed to recent energy challenges between Zambia and neighboring Tanzania as a clear example of why integrated infrastructure is essential.
He said coordinated systems would not only strengthen energy security but also support long-term economic growth across borders.
The conference, which has drawn around 600 participants from 20 countries and features 65 exhibitors, has become a platform for regional dialogue on how Africa can better harness its mineral wealth while addressing infrastructure gaps.
Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Minerals, Steven Kiruswa, echoed the call for modernization, highlighting the importance of upgrading infrastructure to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the mining sector.
He noted that proposed railway projects linking Tanzania with neighboring countries could significantly transform regional trade by easing the movement of goods and resources.
From Zimbabwe, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Ephraim Noyo stressed the need to create a more balanced and investor-friendly environment.
He called for reducing cost-reflective tariffs to enhance profitability, while also urging governments to give local investors the same priority as foreign stakeholders.
Noyo further emphasized the importance of establishing fair financing structures, adopting appropriate technologies, implementing reasonable corporate tax systems, and ensuring that mining activities deliver tangible benefits to local communities.
She welcomed ongoing cooperation between Zimbabwe and Zambia, noting that joint efforts to address energy shortages demonstrate the value of regional collaboration.
The discussions at ZIMEC 2026 reflect a broader continental push to align policy, infrastructure, and investment strategies to maximize Africa’s resource potential.
With energy and mining sectors playing a central role in economic transformation, leaders at the conference signaled that collective action rather than isolated national efforts will be crucial in shaping a more resilient and competitive future for Africa.
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