The Dynamics of Zambia's Copper Value Chain

The research examines the effects of privatised copper mine ownership and foreign investment from China and India on Zambia's upstream supply chain, highlighting challenges such as poor capital access and stiff competition, while noting that Chinese OEMs are displacing established suppliers through advantageous credit terms.

• The privatisation of copper mines since the 1990s served as a critical factor in determining the depth and extent of upstream linkages, leading to a highly diversified ownership structure that significantly shaped value chain governance.
• Local supply firms face significant competitiveness hurdles due to infrastructural constraints, poor access to capital, and a lack of government support, which has been exacerbated by trade liberalisation and the rise of informal traders.
• Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are entering the value chain by offering advantageous credit terms, which allows them to displace established OEMs and create a pathway for expansion into larger buyer supply chains.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2016). The Dynamics of Zambia's Copper Value Chain. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/the-dynamics-of-zambia-s-copper-value-chain/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. The Dynamics of Zambia's Copper Value Chain. 2016. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/the-dynamics-of-zambia-s-copper-value-chain/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=The Dynamics of Zambia's Copper Value Chain |date=2 June 2016 |url=https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/the-dynamics-of-zambia-s-copper-value-chain/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2016dynamics, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{The Dynamics of Zambia's Copper Value Chain}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2016}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/the-dynamics-of-zambia-s-copper-value-chain/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }