Trafigura, one of the world’s largest suppliers of commodities, has appointed Chipokota Mwanawasa as executive director for Zambia, placing a former presidential policy adviser in charge of its activities across metals, minerals, energy and logistics in one of Africa’s leading copper-producing countries.

Mwanawasa, a Zambian national with more than 10 years of experience spanning mining, energy, infrastructure and agriculture, joins the commodities trading group after serving as policy adviser to Zambia’s president, where she worked on economic policy, foreign investment and sectoral reforms.

From State House to Trafigura

Before joining Trafigura, Mwanawasa served as deputy head of Zambia’s Presidential Delivery Unit, supporting the implementation of the country’s National Development Plan. She also worked at Konkola Copper Mines, one of Zambia’s largest copper producers, giving her direct experience in the mining industry.

In her new position, Mwanawasa will coordinate Trafigura’s activities across metals and minerals, energy and associated logistics, while overseeing strategic business development. Based in Lusaka, she will lead engagement with commercial partners, government officials and institutional stakeholders, as the group looks to build on its established presence in Zambia.

Building on local assets

Her responsibilities will also extend to Trafigura’s subsidiaries in Zambia, including Puma Energy, its fuel storage and distribution business, and Servara, the group’s wholly owned logistics, storage and transport platform previously operated under the Impala Terminals brand.

“Zambia is central to the world’s supply of copper and other metals and minerals, and its energy sector underpins the country’s economic development,” Mwanawasa said. She cited Trafigura’s more than 20 years in the country and said she would work to strengthen relationships and build on the group’s existing investments.

Gonzalo De Olazaval, Trafigura’s global head of metals and minerals, said Mwanawasa’s experience across mining, energy and public policy positioned her to lead the company’s activities in Zambia. He added that the appointment reflected the group’s long-term commitment to the country and its regional customers.

A sizeable local footprint

Founded in 1993, Trafigura is one of the world’s largest commodity trading groups, operating across oil, metals, minerals, gas and power. The employee-owned company has about 14,500 employees and operates in more than 150 countries, combining commodity trading with logistics, infrastructure and financing services.

Trafigura and its subsidiaries employ around 300 people in Zambia. Through Servara, the group operates 29,000 square meters of storage space in Ndola, while Puma Energy runs approximately 74 fuel retail sites, four terminals and three aviation fuel sites across the country.

Power links target mining growth

The appointment comes as Trafigura expands its involvement in regional infrastructure supporting the mining industry. The company recently joined Gridworks Development Partners, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Strategic Investment Fund and Enterprise Power DRC in an agreement to finance, build and operate a 200-kilometer high-voltage power line connecting Kalumbila in Zambia with Kolwezi in the DRC’s mining heartland.

The project underscores the importance of reliable electricity and cross-border infrastructure to copper production in southern Africa, where mining companies require dependable power to sustain operations and support expansion. Mwanawasa’s new role places her at the intersection of Trafigura’s commodity trading, energy and infrastructure interests in Zambia.