ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema convened in Abu Dhabi on September 29 to explore ways to deepen economic collaboration. Hichilema’s visit came shortly after beginning his second presidential term earlier this month. The leaders examined cooperation across sectors including the economy, renewable energy, and infrastructure. Their discussions also included ongoing talks regarding a UAE-Zambia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA, designed to establish a broader framework for economic partnership.
Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Hichilema and extended best wishes for his new term. The two heads of state reaffirmed a relationship that they said has lasted over 50 years. They talked about development initiatives, economic diversification, and opportunities for further collaboration between the UAE and Zambia. Special focus was given to sectors involving government and private-sector participation. Neither government disclosed a timeline for finalizing the CEPA, nor did officials reveal specific tariff terms or detailed provisions under negotiation.
The presidential discussion coincided with new commercial agreements announced during Hichilema’s visit to Abu Dhabi. According to Zambia’s State House, memoranda of understanding worth a combined $2.14 billion were signed during the Zambia-UAE Business Forum. These agreements touched on various economic sectors, as reported by the Zambian government. Hichilema also emphasized Zambia’s desire to expand trade with the UAE through a comprehensive partnership agreement. However, the government has not provided a detailed breakdown of all projects covered by the memoranda.
Negotiations Continue on Trade Pact
The CEPA between UAE and Zambia remains under negotiation following the leaders’ meeting. Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema stated that an agreement would mark a significant milestone in their bilateral economic relations. They also saw it as a framework to boost cooperation across both the public and private sectors. No official signing date has been announced yet. These discussions are part of broader economic engagement, including trade, investment, mining, infrastructure, and renewable energy, which are expected to feature in official bilateral talks through 2026.
Earlier meetings between officials of both nations also focused on these sectors. In March, UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan met Hichilema in Lusaka to discuss trade, investment, mining, and renewable energy cooperation. Sheikh Shakhboot returned to Zambia in September for Hichilema’s inauguration, conveying greetings from Sheikh Mohamed. These meetings followed Hichilema’s re-election in August and his new term’s start, adding to the high-level exchanges before his working visit to Abu Dhabi.
Mining and Green Energy as Key Areas of Collaboration
Mining already plays a major role in UAE-related investments in Zambia. In 2024, Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding acquired a 51% stake in Mopani Copper Mines, while Zambia’s ZCCM Investments Holdings retained the remaining 49%. In July 2025, International Resources Holding announced it had invested over $1.1 billion in Mopani since acquiring control. The company manages the Nkana and Mufulira mining complexes in Zambia’s Copperbelt, where copper extraction, processing, smelting, and refining are conducted for export markets.
The September 29 meeting primarily focused on expanding economic cooperation amid ongoing CEPA negotiations. Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema also discussed infrastructure and renewable energy as part of their bilateral agenda. Zambia’s declaration of $2.14 billion in memoranda added a commercial dimension to the presidential visit, though the proposed trade agreement remains unsigned and separate. As of September 30, both governments continued to describe the CEPA as under negotiation, with no official date set for its conclusion or signing.