Civil Society Backs President Hichilema's Mining Reforms, Calls for Measurable Local Impact

The Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD) has praised President Hakainde Hichilema's vision for Zambia's mining sector, calling for the industry to deliver tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, ANDD Executive Director Samuel Banda said mining should serve as a vehicle for empowerment and shared prosperity across the country, not just a source of revenue for government and foreign investors.

Banda highlighted a series of progressive reforms introduced under Hichilema's administration, including the Local Content Policy, which seeks to ensure Zambian businesses and workers benefit directly from mining activity. He also pointed to the establishment of the Mineral Regulation Commission, a new body tasked with strengthening oversight and governance of the sector.

Governance expert Wesley Miyanda echoed the sentiment, welcoming steps taken by major mining firms such as First Quantum and Kansanshi to open up profitable business opportunities for Zambians. However, Miyanda cautioned that local participation must go beyond policy commitments on paper.

Miyanda said it should be visible, measurable, and impactful on the ground, urging both government and industry to ensure reforms translate into real economic opportunities for communities in mining regions.

Zambia's mining sector, which accounts for a significant share of national export earnings, has long faced criticism over the limited extent to which its wealth benefits local populations. The government's push for stronger regulation and local content requirements signals an effort to rebalance that equation as the country seeks to attract investment while broadening the domestic gains from its mineral resources.