The Zambian Government, through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), has signed three Memoranda of Understanding with United States companies to deepen cooperation in critical mineral processing, data sovereignty, and investment promotion. The signing took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and was witnessed by Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Chibamba Kanyama.
The agreements were concluded between the Zambia Development Agency and Austin Elements, the Zambia Development Agency and Lucid Circuit, and the Zambia Development Agency and Busara Advisors, Inc. Together, they reflect Zambia’s steady effort to position itself as a destination for value-driven investment, linking natural resources, technology, and commercial diplomacy at a time when global supply chains, digital governance, and secure investment frameworks are receiving renewed attention.
At the center of the engagements is the Zambia Development Agency, the country’s principal institution for investment promotion and facilitation. ZDA works with investors to identify opportunities, guide projects through regulatory processes, and align private capital with national development priorities. Its role in these MoUs provides an institutional bridge between policy and execution, ensuring that partnerships translate into tangible projects that support industrial growth, skills development, and employment.
One of the agreements focuses on critical minerals through a partnership with Austin Elements, a United States company engaged in the processing of minerals used in battery manufacturing and clean energy technologies. The company’s work spans refined mineral products such as lithium carbonate, nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, and iron phosphate, with an emphasis on downstream processing and responsible production. Within the context of Zambia’s mineral wealth, the partnership underscores a shared interest in shifting more of the value chain closer to the source.
“Austin Elements Chief Executive Officer Jacob Jin said 80 percent of the minerals will be processed in Zambia before exporting to the United States.
He said the idea of processing the minerals in Zambia is to empower the local communities and create jobs for the youth.”
The second MoU brings a digital dimension to the cooperation through Lucid Circuit, a U.S.-based technology firm associated with advanced digital infrastructure and emerging technology development. In Zambia, the engagement reflects broader discussions around secure data environments, local capacity, and long-term digital investment. The agreement places data sovereignty at the heart of Zambia’s digital ambitions, linking technology development to national policy direction.
“The ZDA and Lucid Circuit MoU marks an important milestone in Zambia’s journey toward digital independence and economic transformation.
This MoU formalizes a partnership that is forward-looking, strategic, and aligned with His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision under the 8th National Development Plan, the Digital Transformation Strategy, and our national industrialization agenda. Zambia is signaling to the world that we are not mere consumers of technology, we are ready to shape, produce, and govern our own digital future.”
Complementing the sector-focused agreements is a third MoU with Busara Advisors, Inc., a strategic advisory and commercial diplomacy firm with a strong focus on Africa. The firm works with governments, investors, and corporations on market entry, transaction support, geopolitical and security risk analysis, and long-term investment strategy. Its involvement reflects Zambia’s intent to strengthen economic diplomacy and ensure that international partnerships directly support national transformation goals.
“And Busara Advisors INC Founder, Ambassador Reuben Brigety said Zambia stands at a pivotal moment with over a century of expertise in copper mining and an expanding portfolio in critical minerals exploration.
He said Zambia is uniquely positioned to be a continental leader in the global energy transition.
“The recent $300 million agreement with Dubai Ports World and Zambia’s integration into the Lobito Corridor are transforming the country into a regional logistics hub. These developments don’t just move goods – they connect markets, create opportunities, and position Zambia as an essential link in Africa’s economic integration.”
“These developments – in mining and infrastructure – represent more than economic statistics. They represent pathways to dignified, high-skilled employment for Zambia’s growing youth population. They represent the building blocks of a more integrated, prosperous African continent. And they represent the future that we, through partnerships like the one we celebrate today, have the opportunity to help build,” said Ambassador Brigety.”
Taken together, the three MoUs point to a coordinated approach that links mineral value addition, digital capacity, and investment facilitation. Ambassador Kanyama described the agreements as closely aligned with Zambia’s economic priorities, particularly the drive to expand domestic processing, strengthen manufacturing, and create jobs.
“And Ambassador Kanyama expressed appreciation to Austin Elements Inc. for its commitment to partnering with Zambia on the exploration, production, and advanced processing of critical minerals.
He further commended the Zambia Development Agency and Mission in Washington, D.C., for continued strides being made in advancing Zambia’s value addition agenda to boost manufacturing.
He noted that the MoU’s are strongly aligned with the 8NDP, particularly economic transformation and job creation through value addition and diversification of the economy.
He explained that Zambia’s goal is to move beyond being a source of raw materials and become a hub for processing, refining, and manufacturing, especially in minerals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, lithium, manganese, and rare earth elements.
“This commitment to processing minerals up to 90 percent before export directly supports our agenda for domestic beneficiation, increased revenues, and high-quality employment for our youth. Zambia continues to enjoy a reputation as one of Africa’s most stable, peaceful, and democratic nations,” said Ambassador Kanyama.
“Our consistent rule of law, predictable macroeconomic environment, and transparent investment framework give confidence to long-term investors such as Austin Elements. The Government of President Hakainde Hichilema remains fully committed to providing a supportive environment for private sector-led growth, particularly in mining and manufacturing.””
The agreements signed in Washington reflect Zambia’s broader effort to align foreign partnerships with domestic priorities, placing value addition, technology development, and credible investment frameworks at the center of its engagement with U.S. companies.
