Two U.S. companies, Metalex Commodities Inc. and Anzana Electric Group, have signed a memorandum of understanding to support the development of energy and critical minerals infrastructure in Zambia’s section of the Lobito Corridor.
The agreement outlines plans to develop a medium voltage electricity network that will link Metalex’s Kazozu copper cobalt mine to the national grid. The project will be implemented through a proposed joint venture between Anzana and ZESCO.
Over time, the partnership will also explore dedicated and local power generation options to meet the mine’s increasing electricity demand, which is expected to reach about 30 megawatts by 2027.
The initiative is expected to create employment opportunities, with Metalex projecting up to 350 jobs from its mining operations, while the Anzana and ZESCO joint venture could generate up to 800 jobs.
Metalex’s flagship Kazozu copper cobalt mine, located in Mwinilunga District in Zambia’s North Western Province, is being developed in partnership with Terra Metals Inc. The project has received backing from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and is currently scaling up operations alongside plans for expansion.
Linking the mine to the national grid is expected to provide a reliable and cost effective power supply for both the mining operation and surrounding communities, supporting broader electrification efforts in the region.
Metalex Chief Executive Officer Ayo Sopitan described the agreement as a significant step toward ensuring stable electricity supply for the project and nearby communities, adding that the partnership would deliver benefits to all stakeholders.
Anzana Chief Executive Officer Brian Kelly said the collaboration highlights the role of American companies in driving infrastructure investment in Africa and expressed confidence in the project’s potential to expand electricity access.
In 2025, Anzana signed a binding agreement with ZESCO to establish a joint venture to develop and operate the electricity distribution network in Zambia’s North Western Province over a 25 year period. The initiative is expected to attract about 300 million dollars in investment and extend grid electricity to around 2 million people.