• Zambia aims to triple copper output by 2031 for green tech
• Skills gap over 60% threatens mining job opportunities
• World Bank urges training reforms to boost local workforce benefits

Zambia plans to triple its copper production by 2031 to meet growing global demand for green technologies and electric vehicles. The metal currently accounts for about 15% of the country's GDP and more than 70% of its exports. According to the World Bank, this expansion could generate 200,000 direct jobs and nearly 300,000 indirect jobs.

However, a skills gap threatens to undermine this economic opportunity. A national survey in 2020 revealed that Zambia's technical training is inadequate and poorly aligned with market needs. An August 2025 study from the International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research found the skills gap exceeds 60% in critical technical areas, limiting productivity and industrial growth.

This presents a direct risk for the population. Without rapid upskilling of local workers, many new jobs could be filled by foreign labor, suppressing wages and limiting the transfer of knowledge to young Zambians. As a result, the benefits of the mining expansion may bypass local communities and exacerbate regional inequality.

The World Bank recommends modernizing university curricula and strengthening technical training to meet the needs of the mining sector. While institutions like Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia already train engineers and technicians, their programs must be better aligned with the skills demanded by the industry.

Other African nations offer potential models. For instance, Namibia has implemented training workshops for small-scale copper mining and a mineral beneficiation strategy to maximize local economic benefits. Similarly, Botswana has developed technical training programs in partnership with local institutions and PanAfGeo, focusing on mine environmental management and the skills needed to sustainably exploit its mineral resources. Targeted investment in training can not only strengthen local skills but also attract more investment and increase the value of copper within the domestic market.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou