ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan convened with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Abu Dhabi on September 29. The discussions centered on enhancing trade, boosting investments, renewable energy initiatives, and infrastructure development. The leaders also examined ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Zambia. Hichilema’s visit occurred weeks after beginning his second presidential term, marking the continuation of a series of high-level engagements between the two nations during 2026.
Sheikh Mohamed extended congratulations to Hichilema on his new term and reflected on the longstanding relationship shared by their countries. They explored avenues to deepen economic cooperation and diversification efforts. The dialogue also focused on strengthening ties between government agencies and private sector entities. Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Zambia have spanned over fifty years, with recent talks increasingly emphasizing investment, mining, energy, infrastructure, and broader commercial collaborations.
Hichilema’s visit featured participation in the Zambia-UAE Business Forum held in Abu Dhabi. According to Zambia’s State House, attendees signed memoranda of understanding with a total value of $2.14 billion. While the agreements covered various sectors, officials did not release a detailed project-by-project breakdown. The president also discussed strategies to increase bilateral trade through a comprehensive economic partnership framework. Negotiations for the UAE-Zambia CEPA were ongoing at the time of the meeting, with no official signing date announced.
CEPA Negotiations Continue as Part of Broader Economic Cooperation
The two governments described the proposed CEPA as a platform for expanding economic collaboration across both public and private sectors. As of September 30, negotiations had not yet concluded, and neither side had published final tariff schedules or detailed provisions. These trade discussions are part of wider conversations encompassing renewable energy, infrastructure, mining, and investment. Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema addressed these sectors during their Abu Dhabi meeting, echoing earlier discussions held earlier this year.
In March, UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan met Hichilema in Lusaka. Their talks focused on 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 meetings contributed to ongoing government engagement prior to the Abu Dhabi visit. Zambia has also been promoting investment partnerships with Gulf countries while pursuing new commercial agreements and infrastructure projects.
UAE-Zambia Relations Strengthened by Copper Investment
Mining remains 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%. As of July 2025, International Resources Holding reported investing over $1.1 billion in Mopani since taking control. Mopani’s operations include mining and processing facilities in Zambia’s Copperbelt, such as Nkana and Mufulira.
The September meeting underscored the importance of the economic relationship between the UAE and Zambia, with Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema discussing trade, infrastructure, renewable energy, and development cooperation alongside ongoing CEPA negotiations. Zambia’s announcement of $2.14 billion in memoranda added a commercial dimension to the visit. However, the CEPA itself remained unsigned as of September 30, with no official timeline for completion. Discussions between both governments continue to focus on investment and business cooperation, reinforcing their strategic partnership.