On 17 February 2026, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), through its Extractive Commodities Section within the Division of International Trade and Commodities, is organizing the launch of the report “Rapid Assessment for Value Addition and Diversification to support Zambia” in Lusaka.
The report is the result of UNCTAD’s project project Critical energy transition minerals: Rapid assessment of value addition and diversification capacity in Southern Africa funded by the Government of Japan, which supports Zambia in identifying actionable pathways for industrialization and economic diversification beyond raw commodity exports.
The advanced version of the report consolidates analytical findings, sectoral opportunities, and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening economic resilience, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable and inclusive growth.
Objectives and expected outcomes
The launch event will serve as a platform to present the report’s key findings and recommendations to national stakeholders. It aims to ensure that policymakers, development partners, and the private sector have a shared understanding of the opportunities for value addition and diversification identified in the assessment.
Beyond presenting the analysis, the event will facilitate an open dialogue on next steps for implementation, including discussions with development partners on mobilizing technical and financial support.
The launch seeks to reaffirm Zambia’s commitment to structural transformation and inclusive development, enabling the country to capture greater value from its commodity sectors while advancing sustainable economic growth.
The event is expected to:
- Raise awareness of the report’s findings and policy recommendations;
- Strengthen stakeholder commitment to their implementation;
- Identify priority actions and coordination mechanisms to advance Zambia’s industrialization and diversification agenda.
Format and participants
The event will take the form of a high-level presentation followed by a stakeholder dialogue. Participants will include senior government officials from ministries responsible for trade, industry, planning, and mines; representatives of the private sector; development partners and donors; academia and civil society; as well as United Nations entities and regional organizations.
