President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated Zambia’s dedication to enhancing bilateral relations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following a high-level courtesy visit from Ms. Isabelle Kibassa Maliba, First Secretary-at-Large to President Félix Tshisekedi.
During the meeting, the two sides emphasized the strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties shared across the 1,900-kilometre border between their nations. President Hichilema stressed the importance of building on these commonalities to promote structured trade and lasting peaceful coexistence.
“With our nations bound not only by geography but by shared heritage, the path forward must include harmonized border regulations and deeper regional integration,” he said. He also underscored the shared responsibility of Zambia and the DRC, as members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to facilitate smoother cross-border trade through aligned customs policies and regulatory standards.
Highlighting the need for improved infrastructure, President Hichilema called for the establishment of direct air routes connecting Lusaka, Kinshasa, and other key cities. He said enhanced air connectivity would play a vital role in boosting trade, tourism, and cultural interaction.
The visit by Ms. Kibassa Maliba reflects ongoing efforts by both governments to deepen diplomatic and economic ties in alignment with broader regional development objectives.