Kansanshi Mine is driving Zambia’s literacy and education agenda with a major investment of over K3.5 million to fully modernise the North-Western Provincial Library in Solwezi. The upgraded facility has been transformed into a safe, inclusive, and digitally enabled learning hub designed to support literacy and educational development across the region. The handover of the library to the government forms part of First Quantum Minerals’ (FQM) broader infrastructure development programme, which includes classroom construction, clinic development, the renovation of Solwezi Technical Secondary School, Kimakolwe and Muyoya Primary Schools, and an upcoming road project in Solwezi.
During the handover ceremony, North-Western Provincial Permanent Secretary Colonel Grandson Wishikoti Katambi (Rtd) praised the initiative as “corporate social responsibility at its finest,” adding that FQM had “not just renovated a building; they have renovated dreams and restored hope.” The library now features a fully upgraded structure with new roofing, ceilings, flooring, and furniture valued at K600,000. It has been digitally enhanced with 28 new computers, high-speed internet, e-books, research databases, and a wide range of digital learning resources. Additional improvements include a new ablution block, child-friendly reading areas, and plans to extend weekend operating hours, increasing accessibility for learners and community members.
The investment is part of the Kansanshi Education Quality Improvement Programme (KanEQuIP), FQM’s flagship initiative supporting teacher training, school infrastructure development, and the provision of educational materials across the province. Dr Masyaleti Masyaleti, IT Manager at Kansanshi Mining, highlighted the project’s community impact, noting that “this library is more than a building; it is a promise that knowledge is accessible and that learning is valued.” Sharon Munshya-Liato, Assistant Director of the Zambia Library Service, added that the renovation aligns with Zambia’s first National Library Policy, approved in September 2025, which seeks to expand digital access, enhance library infrastructure, and improve professional development for librarians.
The modernised North-Western Provincial Library is expected to serve thousands of learners, educators, and community members, offering a vibrant and inclusive environment that fosters digital literacy, lifelong learning, and community development.
