Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, is hosting a strategic meeting until December 12, bringing together Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia as part of a project launched in 2023 by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
The initiative aims to establish regional value chains in electric mobility, to sustainable and environmentally friendly industrialization across Africa.
Idriss Addahbi, Head of Intelligence and Strategy at Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighted the country’s progress as Africa’s leading vehicle producer. With an annual production of one million vehicles, including four electric models, Morocco is positioning itself as a key player in electric mobility on the continent.
“Electric mobility is a crucial driver of economic, social, and environmental development. By developing a regional value chain, we create jobs, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and contribute to the fight against climate change.”
Addahbi sees the union of the three nations as a way “to become global leaders in this area.”
Marie-Pascale Diatuka Malanda, Coordinator of the DRC’s “Agency for Ecological Transition and Sustainable Development,” said the strategic role of the country’s natural resources, particularly cobalt and copper, which are essential for electric battery production. She also underscored the importance of strengthening exchanges between the three countries, both technologically and in terms of expertise, to build a green industry in Africa.
“Decarbonized transport is critical to reduce global warming. In Africa, the aging vehicle fleet and insufficient public transport infrastructure exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions. Electric mobility offers a concrete solution to improve the continent’s economic, social, and environmental conditions,” Diatuka Malanda said.
Crusivia Hichikumba, Permanent Secretary for Investment and Industrialization at Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, noted the complementarity of the three countries’ resources and experiences in developing regional value chains for battery production and its components.
“These partnerships are essential for transforming our economies and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Together, we can accelerate economic development and strengthen our growth trajectory,” she said.
Adam Elhiraika, Director of the ECA’s North Africa Office, urged participants to leverage their unique strengths to build a competitive and sustainable value chain. “By implementing concrete policies and initiatives, we can unlock Africa’s potential in the global electric mobility value chain, while creating jobs and fostering innovation,” he said.
The meeting, which joins political leaders, technical experts, and representatives from public and private sectors, is expected to result in the creation of a detailed roadmap and a partnership framework. These will be presented at a high-level political dialogue scheduled for December 12.