Trade Invest Africa, an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), together with the South African Electro-Technical Export council (SAEEC) will lead a joint specialised energy mission to Lusaka, Zambia.

The mission which is scheduled to take place from 30-31 January 2017, aims to facilitate market access and unlock investment opportunities existing in the Zambian energy sector.

According to the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Trade Invest Africa, Ms Lerato Mataboge, this mission is in response to the deficit in generation capacity, transmission line roll-out and universal access to electricity in Zambia.

“The mission is expected to provide Trade Invest Africa with an opportunity to identify and take advantage of trade and investment leads in the Zambian energy sector.  It will also aid Trade Invest Africa to introduce itself and engage its counterparts regarding its role of facilitating and promoting intra-Africa trade and investment, while also seeking-out possible collaboration areas with relevant organisations such as the Zambian Development Agency,” says Mataboge.

Mataboge adds that the mission highlights co-ordination and implementation of South Africa’s economic strategy for the entire continent, premised on the developmental integration approach through close collaboration with the private sector.

According to Mataboge, both South Africa and Zambia identified energy as crucial for industrialisation and development during high-level meetings that took place on the margins of the Zambia State Visit to South Africa in December 2016.

Thirteen companies from the energy sector and state-owned development finance and investment institutions such as the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa and the Industrial Development Corporation will form part of the delegation.

Issued by Department of Trade and Industry