By John Chola

In a powerful display of industry collaboration, the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) leadership, led by President Mr. Daniel Kabamba, is conducting a high-level visit to FQM Trident Limited, witnessing firsthand the colossal scale of its mining operations and celebrating the company’s profound investment in the procurement profession.

The visit, which included a dramatic tour of the Sentinel Kilembe open-pit mine, culminated in a real-time spectacle: the blasting of ore, a moment that underscored the critical role of efficient supply chains in powering Zambia’s economic engine.

The FQM Trident team, led by Mr. Jay Fisher, Manager, Commercial Zambia, engaged the ZIPS delegation on strategic issues central to advancing procurement excellence within the extractive sector.

The discussions were grounded by a remarkable membership profile that positions FQM Trident as a cornerstone of ZIPS’s corporate network.

A Membership Powerhouse
Recent data confirms FQM Trident’s unmatched commitment: the company currently hosts 104 active ZIPS members, solidifying its status as one of the largest corporate memberships in Zambia.

This professional community represents a significant annual investment of K262,835 in subscriptions for 2025 alone, a tangible reflection of FQM’s dedication to building a skilled, accredited workforce.

The membership structure reveals a robust talent pipeline:

· 78 Affiliate members, indicating a strong foundation of early to mid-career professionals being nurtured within the company.
· 19 Associates, who are advancing to meet core professional requirements and cementing their career progression.
· 7 Full Members, representing the pinnacle of senior professional accreditation and leadership within the supply function.

“Seeing the blast today was symbolic,” said President Daniel Kabamba. “It mirrors the explosive potential we see in FQM Trident’s investment in its people. To have over a hundred professionals on the ZIPS journey, from Affiliate to Full Member, is not just impressive; it’s a strategic blueprint for how leading corporations can build sustainable national capacity. This is where theory meets practice—where the procurement professionals we certify manage complex supply chains for one of the world’s most dynamic mining operations.”

Mr. Jay Fisher commented on the synergy: “Hosting President Kabamba and his team at Sentinel was an opportunity to showcase the critical interface between professional supply chain management and operational excellence. Our investment in ZIPS membership is an investment in precision, ethics, and value—prerequisites for safely and efficiently delivering the materials and services that enable a feat like the blast you witnessed today. Our growing number of Full and Associate members are key leaders in this mission.”

The visit reinforced the vital partnership between ZIPS and the private sector, highlighting how professional development in purchasing and supply is directly linked to enhanced productivity, cost management, and national development.

FQM Trident, with its deep bench of ZIPS-accredited talent, stands as a live case study in this transformative alignment.