• This is the future of the auto industry.
• Increased use of electric vehicles will lead to reduction of Zambia’s Greenhouse gas emissions.
• A battery manufacturing factory will soon be set up on the Copperbelt.

Government has challenged the private sector to actively drive the country’s electric vehicle agenda forward as the world is moving away from fossil fuels propelled motor vehicles to electric cars.
Officiating at the unveiling of an Electric Car by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu said government is providing an enabling and supportive policy and regulatory environment for the effective participation of the private sector in this space.
Mr. Nzovu stated that the increased purchase and use of electric vehicles will lead to reduction of Zambia’s Greenhouse gas emissions and oil import bill, thereby contributing to the stabilization of the exchange rate, whose savings can be channeled to other important purposes to improve the lives of people.
“This unveiling of the electric car signifies another milestone towards the actualization of our goal to shift to a cleaner and more energy-efficient Zambia. This is the future of the auto industry as the world is moving away from fossil fuels propelled motor vehicles to electric vehicles and as a country, we cannot afford to remain behind.”
“We have mainstreamed green growth in the recently approved Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP, 2022-2026) with a dedicated pillar on environmental sustainability which contains broad policy provisions on the transition to a green economy. We have also commenced revision of the National Policy on Climate Change of 2016 and the National Policy on the Environment of 2007, among others, to strengthen the aspects on Green Growth. Additionally, the formulation of legislation on climate change which incorporates green growth aspects is advanced,” Mr. Nzovu said.
He also observed that the increased numbers and use of electric vehicles will lead to the development of value chains and a whole industry around electric vehicles in the country and the creation of thousands of well-paying jobs.
“This will contribute to reduction of poverty and vulnerability as well as inequalities in line with the social inclusion pillar of a green economy.”
Mr. Nzovu urged financial institutions to design financial products to ease access to financing for corporate organizations and individuals for the purchase of electric vehicles as to accelerate the uptake in utilization of electric cars in the country.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Elias Mubanga disclosed that a battery manufacturing factory will soon be set up on the Copperbelt, following the recent cooperating agreements signed between Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo to start manufacturing batteries for electric cars.

“There are a lot of opportunities for SMEs to take part in. There will be a number of charging ports which we will need to set up around the country and this is the time to be innovative. Plan, we want technology, get into science so that we can set up these charging ports around bars, restaurants, and swimming pools, as you are swimming your car must be charging, these are bigger opportunities, “ Mr. Mubanga said.
Meanwhile, CRS Country Representative John Shamlanksy said the launch of the electric vehicle demonstrates the organization’s commitment towards the fight against climate change.
In April this year, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a cooperation agreement to facilitate the joint development of an electric battery value chain.
The framework agreement that will operationalize the cooperation agreement is being finalized and will soon be signed by the parties concerned including the governments of Zambia and DRC.