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 began his second term as president. This meeting marked the continuation of a series of high-level interactions between the two governments throughout 2026.
Sheikh Mohamed extended his congratulations to Hichilema on his new presidency and highlighted the longstanding relationship between their nations. Both heads of state explored avenues to deepen economic cooperation and diversification efforts. They also discussed methods to strengthen ties between government agencies and private sector entities. Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Zambia have endured for over fifty years. Recent talks have increasingly focused on investment, mining, energy, infrastructure, and broader commercial partnerships.
Hichilema’s visit also included participation in the Zambia-UAE Business Forum in Abu Dhabi. According to Zambia’s State House, attendees signed memoranda of understanding valued at a total of $2.14 billion. While several sectors were covered, officials did not release a detailed project-by-project breakdown. The president also discussed plans to boost bilateral trade through a comprehensive economic partnership framework. The ongoing UAE-Zambia CEPA negotiations were mentioned during the meeting, but no signing date has been set.
CEPA negotiations are part of broader economic cooperation efforts
Both governments described the proposed CEPA as a framework for expanding economic collaboration across public and private sectors. As of September 30, negotiations had not yet concluded, and neither side published final tariff schedules or detailed provisions. These trade discussions are part of wider talks that include renewable energy, infrastructure, mining, and investment. Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema addressed these sectors during their Abu Dhabi meeting. Officials from both nations had also discussed similar priorities earlier this year.
In March, UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan met Hichilema in Lusaka. Their conversations covered trade, investment, mining, and renewable energy. Sheikh Shakhboot later returned to Zambia for Hichilema’s September inauguration, conveying greetings from the UAE president. These meetings contributed to ongoing government engagement before the Abu Dhabi visit. Zambia has also been promoting investment partnerships with Gulf countries while pursuing new commercial agreements and infrastructure projects.
Mining investments deepen UAE-Zambia economic ties
Mining is already a key aspect of UAE-related investments in Zambia. Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding acquired a 51% stake in Mopani Copper Mines in 2024, with ZCCM Investments Holdings retaining the remaining 49%. In July 2025, International Resources Holding announced it had invested over $1.1 billion in Mopani since taking control. Mopani operates mining and processing facilities in Zambia’s Copperbelt, including sites at Nkana and Mufulira.
The September meeting placed a spotlight on the economic relationship between the UAE and Zambia. Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema discussed trade, infrastructure, renewable energy, and development cooperation alongside ongoing CEPA negotiations. Zambia’s announcement of memoranda valued at $2.14 billion added a commercial dimension to the visit. As of September 30, the CEPA itself remained unsigned. Neither government announced a completion date, but official discussions continued to focus on investment and business cooperation between the two countries.