The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has announced plans to invest in mineral value addition as part of its broader strategy to support national development, by ensuring minerals are processed locally rather than exported in raw form.
Speaking on the Authority’s strategic direction, NAPSA Director General, Muyangwa Muyangwa, emphasized the need for Zambia to shift from merely exporting raw minerals to developing local processing and manufacturing capacities that retain more value within the country.
“For a long time now, citizens have expressed concern about the lack of visible benefits from the country’s vast mineral wealth and the real value lies not in exporting raw materials, but in producing finished goods,” said Mr. Muyangwa in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He noted that Zambia currently operates at the lower end of the mining value chain, predominantly exporting raw or semi-processed materials.
“NAPSA intends to invest in ventures that process minerals locally, transforming them into finished products such as electrical wires, jewelry, and other export-ready goods,” said Mr. Muyangwa.
He added that the initiative will not only contribute to national development but will also deliver direct and indirect benefits to NAPSA members.
According to Mr. Muyangwa, the Authority envisions an integrated industrial model where formal processing plants will source raw materials from small-scale miners, process them within Zambia, and produce finished products for export.
“This approach will help stimulate the local economy, support the livelihoods of artisanal miners, and promote responsible mining practices under formal regulation,” said Mr. Muyangwa.
By Angel Kasabo
