Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, Crusivia Hichikumba, says Zambia has been invited to join the Global Battery Alliance (GBA).

Speaking at the end of the recently held sustainable Conference in Germany, Mr Hichikumba said joining the GBA will provide an opportunity to be part of a global network which is dedicated to ensuring responsible and transparent battery supply chains.

Mr Hichikumba said the charter that establishes the GBA is non-committal in terms of financial obligations to the country and members can join or leave any time.

He stressed that Zambia has a lot to gain by joining the GBA in terms of partnerships, leveraging on international best practices and experiences which the GBA possesses.

And Germany Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Svenja Schulze says she is happy with Zambia’s move to join the GBA. Germany and Serbia have already signed to officially join the Global Battery Alliance (GBA).

Ms Schulze said the GBA members will unite their efforts to establish a transparent and responsible worldwide battery supply chain.

She said the 170 members of the GBA have committed to ensuring that battery production not only supports renewable energy but also safeguards human rights and environmental sustainability adding that all companies are urged to create transparent, ethical and responsible battery supply chains.

Zambia’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany Winnie Chibesakunda represented President Hakainde Hichilema who was invited to attend the conference.

This is contained in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by First Secretary-Press at the Zambia embassy in Germany Lubinda Kashewe.