Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, has underscored the crucial role of private sector investment in driving progress toward global development goals, especially in the ongoing fight against poverty.
Speaking during a high-level side event on private sector mobilization at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, Spain, Minister Haimbe emphasized that public financing alone is not sufficient to meet the scale of today’s global challenges.
“Transformational progress requires more than what public financing alone can offer,” he stated. “To truly achieve poverty eradication, improve health and education systems, and address climate change, we must forge stronger partnerships with the private sector.”
Minister Haimbe highlighted the need for governments to create conducive policy environments that attract private investment into vital sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and clean energy. He noted that governments should play a central role in providing policy direction and oversight, but the urgency of today’s global development challenges demands that private capital also be mobilized at scale.
The conference, which gathers world leaders, development experts, and key private sector stakeholders, aims to explore innovative financing mechanisms aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the central themes of FFD4 is the importance of blended finance solutions—those that combine public and private funding—to drive sustainable outcomes in emerging economies.
Minister Haimbe’s message resonated with participants advocating for reforms that incentivize responsible investment while ensuring inclusive growth. He also reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to building a business-friendly environment that supports both domestic and international investors.
As global attention turns toward financing sustainable development, Zambia is positioning itself as a proactive partner in promoting economic reforms, enabling private sector-led growth, and fostering partnerships that can deliver lasting benefits for all.