Description
In October 2023, the European Union formed a critical raw-material partnership with Zambia, as part of various African collaborations under the EU Global Gateway initiative. The EU aims to diversify its mineral supply chains to reduce dependence on China, which has led the global mineral market in recent years. For Zambia and other African nations, this partnership offers an opportunity to move from raw commodity production to manufacturing finished and value-added products. The EU, engaged in the mineral security alliance launched in 2022, collaborates with the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and India to boost investments in mining and related sectors, enhancing competitiveness against China. The EU’s proposal to African countries, such as Zambia, promotes ethical and sustainable practices to improve environmental and social governance standards in partner nations, aligning with EU norms. Moreover, the EU seeks to attract investment into African mining and midstream sectors. This paper examines the EU’s efforts in Africa, focusing on Zambia, exploring areas of convergence and potential divergence between EU and African interests, as well as analysing the strategies of the USA, China, and other emerging economies.
