ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Abu Dhabi on September 29. Their discussions centered on trade, investment, renewable energy, and infrastructure collaboration. The leaders also examined negotiations concerning a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Zambia. Hichilema’s visit came weeks after he commenced his second term as president. This meeting continued a series of high-level interactions between the two governments during 2026.
Sheikh Mohamed extended his congratulations to Hichilema on his new presidential term and highlighted the longstanding relationship between their nations. Both heads of state explored avenues to strengthen cooperation in economic growth and diversification. They also considered strategies to broaden connections between government agencies and private sector entities. Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Zambia have lasted over fifty years. Recently, officials placed increased emphasis on investment, mining, energy, infrastructure, and wider commercial ties during their talks.
Hichilema’s visit additionally featured the Zambia-UAE Business Forum held in Abu Dhabi. According to Zambia’s State House, participants signed memoranda of understanding totaling $2.14 billion. While several sectors were covered, officials did not publish a detailed project-by-project breakdown. Hichilema also discussed boosting bilateral trade through a comprehensive economic partnership framework. The UAE-Zambia CEPA remains under negotiation, with no official signing date announced during the presidential meeting.
CEPA negotiations continue as part of broader economic cooperation
Both governments see the proposed CEPA as a framework to expand economic collaboration across public and private sectors. As of September 30, negotiations had not been finalized, and neither side released detailed tariff schedules or specific provisions. These trade discussions are part of wider negotiations involving renewable energy, infrastructure, mining, and investment sectors. Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema addressed these areas during their meeting in Abu Dhabi. Similar priorities had been discussed earlier this year during prior exchanges between officials from both nations.
In March, UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan met Hichilema in Lusaka. Their talks covered trade, investment, mining, and renewable energy. Sheikh Shakhboot later visited Zambia again for Hichilema’s September inauguration and conveyed greetings from the UAE president. These meetings contributed to ongoing government contact before the Abu Dhabi visit. Zambia has also sought investment partnerships with Gulf countries, pursuing new commercial agreements and infrastructure initiatives.
Mining investments deepen UAE-Zambia economic ties
Mining is 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. The remaining 49% is held by ZCCM Investments Holdings. As of July 2025, International Resources Holding announced it had invested over $1.1 billion in Mopani since gaining control. Mopani’s operations include mining and processing assets located in Zambia’s Copperbelt, such as facilities at Nkana and Mufulira.
The September discussions underscored the significance of the UAE-Zambia economic relationship. Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema addressed trade, infrastructure, renewable energy, and development cooperation alongside ongoing CEPA negotiations. Zambia’s announcement of $2.14 billion in memoranda provided a commercial component to the visit. However, the CEPA itself was not signed by September 30, and neither government announced a timeline for completion. Official talks continue to focus on investment opportunities and business collaboration between the two nations.