President Hakainde Hichilema has called on African leaders to embrace deeper economic cooperation, describing Africa as the only continent that engages the least with itself in terms of trade and investment. Speaking at the official opening of the two-day Land-linked Zambia Conference held at Ciela Resort in Chongwe, President Hichilema emphasized the urgent need for intra-African trade to unlock the continent’s true economic potential.
“We are really delighted and appreciative of your presence,” President Hichilema said as he addressed a gathering of local and international stakeholders. “Africa is the only continent that works with itself the least. That must change.”
The President stressed that boosting trade among African countries would not only spur economic growth but also reduce dependence on external markets. He urged leaders to break down barriers to regional trade and make full use of initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Tying the continental vision to his national agenda, President Hichilema also outlined his bold plan to more than double Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) should he serve two full terms in office. He described his economic roadmap as one focused on unlocking Zambia’s strategic geographic position, improving infrastructure, and enhancing value addition across various sectors.
“We want to transform Zambia into a land-linked country—not landlocked—by leveraging our location and connecting to regional and global markets,” he said.
President Hichilema’s remarks were echoed by Henrik Hololei, Hors Classe Advisor-DG International Partnerships from European Cooperation, who praised Zambia’s strategic potential. Hololei noted that Zambia was “perfectly placed to become a regional distribution hub,” citing the country’s central position in southern Africa and its growing transport and logistics infrastructure.
The Land-linked Zambia Conference brought together policymakers, investors, and development partners to explore opportunities in trade, logistics, and connectivity. The event serves as part of Zambia’s broader effort to position itself as a key economic gateway for the region.
As the conference continues, President Hichilema’s call for greater intra-African cooperation and his ambitious economic agenda are expected to remain central themes, reflecting his administration’s focus on transformation through trade, investment, and regional integration.