Kitwe, 14 November 2024 – On 13 and 14 November 2024, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)’s Learning and Knowledge Development Facility (LKDF), together with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), convened the LKDF Forum under the theme “Skills for Sustainable Critical Raw Materials Supply Chains.” The Forum took place both online and in-person at the Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe, Zambia. 

As global demand for critical raw materials like cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements surges, largely driven by renewable energy and digital economies, the industry faces growing pressure to innovate and adopt sustainable practices. Africa, with its abundant natural resources and rapidly expanding workforce, stands at a critical juncture. “Africa will be, in the coming decades, the workforce of the world,” remarked Dr. Patrick Ndzana Olomo, Head of the Economic Policy and Sustainable Development Division at the African Union Commission. With strategic investments in education, vocational training, and partnerships, Africa can spearhead the global transition towards sustainable CRM supply chains.

Gerd Müller, Director General of UNIDO, delivered the opening remarks, and argued the need for sustainable and responsible supply chains: “[The] exploitation of people and nature in supply chains must end, especially in the mining sector.” He continued by emphasizing the importance of skills development, stating “modern, resilient and sustainable minerals supply chains need workers with the necessary skills. This depends on reskilling and equipping workforces with the knowledge and abilities of the future.” Jakob Granit, Director General of SIDA, echoed this sentiment, expressing that “[equipping] individuals with hands-on skills, directly aligned with the needs of the private sector and the local economy” is a top priority.  

The urgent need to address the double skills gap in the CRM sector—combining technical expertise with knowledge of sustainability practices—was a recurring theme. UNIDO’s Virpi Stucki highlighted that training systems have struggled to keep pace with rapidly evolving industry demands. To bridge this gap, public-private collaborations were emphasized as vital, ensuring that training programs are aligned with real-world industry needs. 

The Forum also introduced the LKDF Sustainability Curricula, a comprehensive resource designed to empower individuals and organizations to integrate sustainability principles into their operations. These curricula aim to equip workforces with essential skills in responsible production methods, environmental stewardship, and sustainable practices to foster a more interconnected, resilient global business ecosystem, where sustainability is at the heart of industrial progress. 

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles emerged as a central theme in discussions. Strong governance was identified as the foundation for addressing environmental and social challenges within CRM supply chains. Ian Mwiinga, National Coordinator of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Secretariat Zambia, underscored this, stating, “…if the governance is not working, the social and environmental aspects will suffer.” 

The Forum also emphasized that closing the skills gap in CRM supply chains will require strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. UNIDO’s Public-Private Development Partnerships (PPDP) were showcased as a critical mechanism for aligning vocational training and educational programs with industry needs. By leveraging the strengths of both public and private sectors, these partnerships enable the development of targeted training initiatives that integrate technical skills with sustainability principles.

Acknowledging the need for collaboration between diverse stakeholders, the Forum gathered an audience of 107 in-person and 191 online, including representatives from public and private sectors, international organizations, civil society, and academia. The Forum also drew participation from esteemed guests such as representatives from the Swedish International Development Cooperation (Sida), the Zambian government, the African Union Commission, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR), Enabel, Hitachi, Festo Didactic, and Alteo Alumina as well as a number of Zambian companies and associations representing all the stages of the CRM supply chain. 

The first day of the Forum concluded with a call to action for fostering a future-ready workforce equipped to navigate the challenges of the CRM supply chain while driving sustainable development. By embedding ESG principles, advancing critical thinking, and forging strong partnerships, we can help ensure resilient CRM supply chains, ready to enable the green and digital transitions. 

The second day of the LKDF Forum 2024 featured a co-creation workshop facilitated by UNIDO’s LKDF team and the Innovation Lab, where participants from public, private, and development sectors engaged in strategic exchanges to promote actionable, cross-sector collaborations. This interactive session fostered connections among attendees, paving the way for future partnerships across various industries. The day continued with a field visit to Mopani Copper Mines Plc, allowing participants to observe mining practices firsthand, followed by a tour of the Kitwe Vocational Training Centre. At the college, attendees explored training programs and facilities strengthened through UNIDO’s PPDP in collaboration with Hitachi and the Government of Japan, highlighting the importance of partnerships in advancing skills development for a resilient CRM workforce.

 

For more information, please contact:  

The Learning and Knowledge Development Facility (LKDF)  

lkd-facility@unido.org  

Official recording of the LKDF Forum 2024 will be available in due course on the LKDF YouTube channel. (https://www.youtube.com/@UNIDO_LKDF)