Chipo Mwanawasa takes up role as Executive Director – Zambia of controversial commodity trader Trafigura

Trafigura has announced the appointment of Chipokota Mwanawasa as Executive Director, Zambia, a few hours after State House announced her departure from her role as Policy Advisor to President Hakainde Hichilema.

Mwanawasa served at State House as Policy Advisor to the President and previously as Deputy Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, where she supported the implementation of Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan.

Trafigura, in a statement seen by the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), stated that Mwanawasa is a Zambian national with more than 10 years of experience across mining, energy, infrastructure and agriculture.

“She was most recently Policy Advisor to the President of Zambia, and has previously served as Deputy Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit and worked in the mining sector,” said the company.

Trafigura added that Mwanawasa will coordinate Trafigura’s activities in Zambia across metals and minerals, energy and logistics, while leading engagement with commercial, institutional and government stakeholders.

The company said the appointment reflected its ambition to expand its activities in Zambia, where it has operated for more than 20 years.

According to Trafigura, together with its subsidiaries, employs around 300 people in Zambia, operates 29,000 square metres of storage space in Ndola through Servara Global, formerly operating under the Impala Terminals brand, and manages approximately 74 fuel retail sites, four terminals and three aviation fuel sites through Puma Energy.