President Hichilema to undertake working visit to UAE

According to Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Situmbeko Musokotwane, in a statement released on September 27, 2026, the visit follows an invitation from UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Musokotwane said the visit underscores Zambia’s commitment to strengthening relations with the UAE and is aligned with the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda.

“The visit underscores Zambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the UAE and is aligned with the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda, focusing on attracting investment, promoting private sector-led growth, advancing value addition and industrial development, expanding economic opportunities and supporting sustainable national development,” he said.

During the visit, President Hichilema and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will hold an official bilateral meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and deepening cooperation between the two countries.

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

He said the visit will advance investment and joint ventures in priority sectors including mining and mineral value addition, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, transport and logistics, tourism and healthcare.

Musokotwane said the two countries will also promote trade facilitation through efforts to conclude negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

He said the visit will further strengthen institutional cooperation and connectivity to unlock investment, create jobs, drive industrialisation and expand economic opportunities under the Grow Zambia Agenda.

Other highlights of the visit include the Zambia-UAE Business and Investment Forum, a Presidential engagement with UAE business leaders and a meeting with the Zambian community in the UAE.

Musokotwane said Zambia and the UAE enjoy longstanding and cordial bilateral relations, underpinned by growing cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and tourism.

“Over the years, the relationship has evolved from diplomatic engagement into a broader economic partnership, providing a strong foundation for further cooperation,” he said.

The statement said the deepening partnership is reflected in 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.

President Hichilema will return to Zambia at the conclusion of his engagements.