Ambassador of Japan to Zambia Attends the Official Opening Ceremony of Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia’s Remanufacturing Centre Expansion and Engine Rebuild Facility
2025/6/6
On 5th June 2025, Ambassador Takeuchi attended the Official Opening Ceremony of Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia’s Remanufacturing Centre Expansion and Engine Rebuild Facility. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, and senior government officials including Honourable Paul Chanda Kabuswe, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, and Honourable Ambrose Lufuma, Minister of Defence.
This expanded facility as well as Hitachi’s technology and expertise play a vital role in supporting Zambia’s ambitions to grow its mining sector and to reach its copper production target of 3 million metric tonnes per year by 2031.
Another notable initiative of Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia is the "the Project for Promoting Youth Employment through Construction Equipment Operating Skills Training," which was launched in 2021 in cooperation with the Government of Japan, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Government of Zambia. To date, great milestones have been achieved. Last November, the construction of the Kitwe Vocational Training Centre was officiated, and Hitachi donated construction machinery. Within the first quarter of this year, the construction of the Centre has progressed significantly and a number of training programmes have already been launched, among which is a heavy equipment operations training programme.
It is noteworthy that Hitachi Construction Machinery's investment in Zambia has reached a total of approximately $40 million to date, demonstrating the contribution of a Japanese company unlocking the potential for Zambia’s economic growth.
At the ceremony, President Hichilema expressed his gratitude to Hitachi Construction Machinery that the company is contributing to Zambia's vision of 3 million tonnes of copper production to be achieved by 2031 including the new investment made this time through various partnerships that is bringing about value addition to the mining sector. He also expressed his hope to see more Japanese companies coming to Zambia for investment after the Japan Zambia Investment Agreement signed this February.
Ambassador Takeuchi stated that Hitachi’s new facility will not only supply the world-class machinery to Zambia's mining sector, but also help advancing skill development, job creation and local industrial capacity, reaffirming Japan's commitment to Zambia's industrial and economic growth.
Japan will continue to encourage Japanese companies to explore Zambia as an investment destination and to engage in ways that benefit both our nations.
To read the speech by Ambassador Takeuchi, please click here.