President Hakainde Hichilema has returned to Zambia following a successful state visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, where he engaged in high-level discussions with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The visit focused on enhancing economic cooperation and exploring new investment and trade opportunities between the two nations.
During the visit, President Hichilema commended Egypt’s advancements in infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and healthcare. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering deeper economic collaboration through joint public-private ventures. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to facilitate cooperation in multiple sectors, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations.
As part of his engagements, President Hichilema toured Egypt’s renowned historical sites, including the Great Pyramids of Giza. Reflecting on Egypt’s success in preserving its cultural heritage, he underscored the importance of tourism as a key economic driver. He expressed interest in adopting similar strategies to enhance Zambia’s tourism sector and boost its contribution to the national economy.
Another critical aspect of the visit was a tour of Egypt’s Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute in Cairo. Established in 1903, the institute is a leading center for veterinary vaccine research and production. Acknowledging Zambia’s goal of eradicating livestock diseases to strengthen agricultural exports, President Hichilema emphasized the need to forge partnerships with Egyptian institutions to improve vaccine production and disease prevention efforts in Zambia.
“Our visit has been fruitful, and Zambians can expect meaningful progress in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and energy,” President Hichilema stated. “We also recognize and commend the over 40 Zambian companies that participated in the Egypt-Zambia Business Forum, creating new trade and investment opportunities.”
Beyond governmental initiatives, the President lauded Egypt’s ambitious infrastructure projects, including the construction of a new Administrative Capital in Cairo. Drawing inspiration from the scale and efficiency of these developments, he reiterated Zambia’s commitment to pursuing similar large-scale projects through strategic partnerships.
As he concluded the visit, President Hichilema expressed gratitude to President el-Sisi for the warm hospitality and reaffirmed Zambia’s dedication to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Egypt. He also called on Zambians to continue supporting initiatives that drive national development and economic growth.