ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Abu Dhabi on September 29. The discussions centered on enhancing trade, fostering investment, renewable energy initiatives, and infrastructure development. The leaders also examined ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between their nations. Hichilema’s visit came shortly after he began his second term as president, marking a continuation of high-level engagements between the two governments during 2026.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed extended congratulations to Hichilema on his new presidential term and highlighted the longstanding relationship between the UAE and Zambia. Both heads of state explored opportunities to deepen economic cooperation and diversification efforts. Additionally, they considered strategies to strengthen collaboration between government agencies and private enterprises. Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Zambia have persisted for over fifty years, with recent discussions increasingly emphasizing investment, mining, energy, infrastructure, and broader commercial relations.
Hichilema’s visit also featured participation in the Zambia-UAE Business Forum held in Abu Dhabi. According to Zambia’s State House, attendees signed memoranda of understanding valued at a total of $2.14 billion. While these agreements covered multiple sectors, officials did not release a detailed breakdown of individual projects. The discussions also focused on expanding bilateral trade through a comprehensive economic partnership framework. The proposed UAE-Zambia CEPA was still under negotiation during the presidential talks, with no official signing date announced.
CEPA negotiations remain part of broader economic collaboration
The two governments characterized the proposed CEPA as a framework aimed at broadening economic cooperation between the public and private sectors. As of September 30, negotiations had not yet concluded, and neither side disclosed final tariff schedules or detailed contractual provisions. These trade discussions are part of wider talks that also encompass renewable energy, infrastructure, mining, and investment sectors. Both Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema addressed these topics during their Abu Dhabi meeting, continuing conversations initiated earlier this year.
In March, UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan met with Hichilema in Lusaka. Their dialogue covered trade, investment, mining, and renewable energy. Sheikh Shakhboot later returned to Zambia for Hichilema’s September inauguration and conveyed greetings from the UAE president. These exchanges contributed to ongoing diplomatic engagement prior to the Abu Dhabi visit. Zambia has also been actively promoting investment partnerships with Gulf countries while advancing new commercial agreements and infrastructure projects.
Mining investments deepen UAE-Zambia economic ties
Mining remains a key aspect of UAE-related investments in Zambia. In 2024, Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding acquired a 51% stake in Mopani Copper Mines, with ZCCM Investments Holdings holding the remaining 49%. In July 2025, International Resources Holding stated it had invested over $1.1 billion in Mopani since taking control. Mopani’s operations include mining and processing facilities located in Zambia’s Copperbelt, such as Nkana and Mufulira.
The September discussions placed a spotlight on the economic relationship between the UAE and Zambia, with Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema addressing trade, infrastructure, renewable energy, and development cooperation alongside ongoing CEPA negotiations. The announcement of memoranda worth $2.14 billion by Zambia added a commercial dimension to the visit. However, as of September 30, the CEPA remained unsigned, with no official timeline for completion, as both governments continued to explore investment opportunities and business collaborations.