Hichilema heads to UAE on investment drive

President Hakainde Hichilema will undertake a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Sept. 29 to 30, 2026, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and attracting investment to Zambia.

Acting Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said the visit, at the invitation of UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, would focus on advancing cooperation in key economic sectors.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Musokotwane said the engagement was aligned with the government’s Grow Zambia Agenda, particularly efforts to attract investment, promote private sector-led growth, advance value addition and industrial development, and expand economic opportunities.

During the visit, Hichilema and Sheikh Mohamed will hold an official bilateral meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest and are expected to sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries.

The talks will also review progress on existing bilateral commitments, address implementation gaps and strengthen cooperation in priority sectors.

“These engagements are expected to help translate existing bilateral commitments into tangible investments, partnerships and development outcomes,” Musokotwane said.

He said priority areas would include mining and mineral value addition, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, transport and logistics, tourism and healthcare.

The visit will also cover trade facilitation, including efforts to conclude negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as well as institutional cooperation and connectivity.

Musokotwane said the engagements were expected to help unlock investment, create jobs, support industrialisation and expand economic opportunities.

Hichilema is also scheduled to attend the Zambia-UAE Business and Investment Forum and engage with UAE business leaders.

He will further meet the Zambian community living in the UAE.

Zambia and the UAE have maintained longstanding bilateral relations, with cooperation expanding in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and tourism.

Musokotwane said the relationship had evolved from diplomatic engagement into a broader economic partnership.

He cited Zambia’s opening of an embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2023 and the UAE’s deployment of its first resident ambassador to Zambia in September 2026 as milestones in strengthening direct diplomatic engagement.

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