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Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, has reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to strengthening ties with Japan as the two nations celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in Yokohama on Wednesday, Nalumango conveyed greetings from President Hakainde Hichilema and underscored Zambia’s shared values and expanding opportunities with Japan in trade, investment, and development.
She assured Japanese investors of a stable and predictable investment climate, citing Zambia’s reputation as one of Africa’s most peaceful countries.
Nalumango expressed gratitude for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) support in health, agriculture, infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy projects.
“Zambia, endowed with critical minerals, offers significant opportunities for Japanese investment and technology transfer, particularly through partnerships with local investors,” she said.
The Vice President highlighted the Bilateral Investment Treaty signed during President Hichilema’s visit to Japan in February 2025 as a landmark that has spurred interest from Japanese businesses, particularly in the energy, mining, health, and agriculture sectors.
She also reaffirmed Zambia’s support for Japan at the United Nations and other multilateral platforms, stressing that the partnership extends beyond economic growth to shared values, peace, and sustainable development.
Prime Minister Ishiba welcomed Nalumango’s visit, praising her long-standing advocacy for women and described Zambia as a strategic partner for Japan in Africa.
He confirmed Japan’s intention to expand cooperation in mineral exploration through the private sector and institutions such as JOGMEC, and also expressed optimism about signing a Political Dialogue Agreement before the end of 2025.
Both leaders emphasised Zambia’s strategic position along the Nacala Development Corridor as an opportunity to enhance trade and investment across SADC, COMESA, and the EAC.
They also pledged to strengthen cultural and educational exchanges, with Zambia keen to learn from Japan’s education system to advance skills and innovation.
Earlier, Nalumango attended the opening of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, where Ishiba reiterated Japan’s commitment to Africa’s development through infrastructure, health, education, climate-smart agriculture, and peacebuilding.
Held under the theme “Partnership for a Resilient Africa”, TICAD 9 focuses on green growth, digital transformation, human capital development, and governance, aligning Africa–Japan cooperation with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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