Zambia's president, Hakainde Hichilema, is urging African nations to avoid choosing sides in the global scramble for critical minerals, particularly copper, which is fetching near-record prices. Speaking to the Financial Times, Hichilema argued that resource-rich countries like his own should resist political alignment pressures from major powers like the US and China in exchange for investment. 'When I'm in Beijing, I'm not against Washington. When I'm in Washington, we're not against Beijing,' he stated, emphasizing a business-first approach focused on mutual benefits rather than geopolitical divisions. This stance comes as intense competition over minerals essential for the energy transition, defense, and infrastructure drives strategic deals across Africa.

Zambia's position highlights the shifting dynamics in resource-rich nations. Last week, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi dismissed executives at state miner Gécamines after they opposed the sale of copper and cobalt producer Chemaf to a US-backed consortium, underscoring how mineral deals are now deeply intertwined with competition between Western and Chinese interests. Hichilema, elected in 2021 on promises of stability, has implemented significant reforms to attract long-term investment. He claims policy stability and changes, including unwinding a previous government's expropriation of Vedanta Resources' Konkola mines and lowering taxes, have revived the mining sector. Producers have responded by pouring over $12bn into Zambia's copper industry since his administration took office.

Zambia's ambitious goal to boost copper output to 3mn tonnes annually by 2031 – potentially making it Africa's top producer – hinges on attracting foreign capital. While lower taxes have drawn investment, Hichilema acknowledges the challenge of translating this into widespread jobs in a nation where over half the population lives in extreme poverty. The IMF projects Zambia's GDP will grow by 5.8% this year, buoyed by strong copper prices and recovery from drought. Hichilema's strategy positions Zambia as a test case for whether Africa can secure sustainable investment without falling into policy volatility or geopolitical traps.