Zambia pitches mining, farming and energy projects to Japanese investors at Independence reception in Tokyo

Zambia's Ambassador to Japan, Dr Tobias Mulimbika, has asked Japanese companies to go beyond aid and invest in Zambian industries. He spoke on Monday at a reception in Tokyo marking Zambia's 62nd Independence anniversary under the theme "Zambia @62: Our Journey, Our Growth, Our Future". Dr Mulimbika urged investors to support the Grow Zambia Agenda, which is meant to lift growth, create jobs and add value to what the country produces. He pointed to opportunities in mining and critical minerals, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and tourism, and also in regional transport corridors. He said Japanese firms should bring technology, skills and local partnerships so that the embassy can turn friendship into "tangible investments, employment opportunities and shared prosperity". He set out two national goals: raising power generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts and attracting five million international visitors. He cited Zambia's cooperation with Japan's state mining agency JOGMEC on mineral exploration as a milestone. Ambassador Misako Takahashi, Director-General of the African Affairs Department at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Japan-Zambia Investment Agreement entered into force on 30 July 2026. It was signed during President Hakainde Hichilema's visit to Japan in February 2025. She said she hopes it will substantially improve Zambia's investment climate, called Zambia an important partner that shares Japan's fundamental values of democracy and the rule of law, and said rising world demand for copper leaves room for deeper cooperation. She also stressed training of young people. According to the figures she gave, 45 young Zambians have studied in Japan under the ABE Initiative, more than 5,000 Zambians have taken part in JICA training programmes, and 35 JICA volunteers are serving in Zambia. ## Why it matters New investment decides whether there are jobs for young Zambians outside government. An investment agreement that is now in