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Zambia and Ghana have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership, marking a significant step toward deepening trade, investment and productive cooperation between the two countries.
The decision was announced at the conclusion of a three-day State Visit to Zambia by Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama, who was in the country from February 4 to 6 at the invitation of President Hakainde Hichilema.
President Mahama was accompanied by First Lady Lordina Mahama and a high-level delegation comprising Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials and private-sector representatives.
During the visit, the two leaders held consultations and official bilateral talks at State House in Lusaka, reaffirming the strong historical ties and shared Pan-African values that underpin relations between the two nations.
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The Heads of State recalled the enduring bonds forged by Zambia’s founding President Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and reiterated their commitment to translating Pan-African ideals into practical cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to citizens.
Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, Presidents Hichilema and Mahama stressed the importance of strengthening African-led partnerships, expanding intra-African trade, mobilising African capital and enhancing policy coordination.
They agreed that the new Comprehensive Economic Partnership would focus on boosting private-sector participation, facilitating the movement of goods and capital, and promoting joint ventures to support value addition, industrialisation and job creation.
Priority areas of cooperation identified include agriculture and agro-processing, renewable energy and power trade, mining value addition—particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining—trade and investment promotion under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), waste management and the circular economy, fintech and digital financial services, as well as skills development, innovation and emerging technologies.
The two leaders welcomed the Zambia–Ghana Business Dialogue held alongside the visit, which enabled private-sector engagement in key sectors such as mining, trade, investment and financial technology.
Notably, business transactions worth US$7 million were reportedly concluded between fintech companies from both countries, while ongoing negotiations valued at US$65 million are expected to generate about 8,000 jobs.
During the visit, the two governments also signed 10 Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements covering areas including bilateral air services, visa waiver arrangements, standardisation, health cooperation, disaster risk management, diaspora engagement, trade and export promotion, and defence cooperation.
The agreements are expected to enhance connectivity, ease movement and strengthen institutional collaboration.
President Mahama also addressed the Zambian Parliament, where he emphasised shared democratic values, Pan-African solidarity and the need for stronger African partnerships to promote peace, inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continued consultation and coordination at regional, continental and multilateral platforms, including the African Union, COMESA, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement.
At the close of the visit, the two Presidents expressed satisfaction with the outcomes and pledged to pursue a results-oriented approach to further deepen Zambia–Ghana relations.
President Mahama thanked President Hichilema, the Zambian government and the people of Zambia for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
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