Turkish Ambassador to Zambia, Huseyin Barbaros Dicle, paid a courtesy call this morning on the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP, at the Ministry headquarters. The engagement reaffirmed the depth of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and underscored Zambia’s strategic intent to expand sustainable investment linkages across sectors of shared economic interest.
Dr Musokotwane welcomed Ambassador Dicle and reiterated Zambia’s keen interest in attracting large-scale Turkish investments in mining, railways, tourism, and agriculture. These sectors remain central to the country’s growth and diversification agenda, with a focus on generating jobs, promoting value-addition, and driving inclusive socio-economic transformation.
The Minister highlighted Türkiye’s strong economic performance as one of Europe’s most dynamic economies and emphasized the potential for mutually reinforcing growth through targeted Turkish investments in Zambia’s productive sectors. He noted that private-sector participation by Turkish investors would support industrial expansion, enhance mineral value-addition, and advance shared prosperity for both countries.
Dr Musokotwane further observed that under the New Dawn Administration, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, mining, and transport and logistics are not merely economic pillars, but critical drivers of Zambia’s inclusive development strategy. Scaling investment in agro-processing, sustainable tourism infrastructure, mineral value-addition, and regional transport corridors is expected to unlock domestic value chains, strengthen export competitiveness, and fully harness the potential of Zambia’s youthful workforce. This approach aligns with Zambia’s ambition to transition from being landlocked to land-linked while remaining future-ready.
Ambassador Dicle reaffirmed the Turkish private sector’s strong interest in Zambia’s mining sector and highlighted that the introduction of regular Turkish Airlines flights has enhanced connectivity between the two countries. Improved air links are already facilitating business engagement, investment exploration, and tourism, strengthening the practical foundations of bilateral economic cooperation.
The Minister expressed confidence that the engagement will translate into tangible investment outcomes supporting Zambia’s long-term development goals. He emphasized that partnerships anchored in productive investment and private-sector participation are central to sustaining growth and ensuring that macroeconomic stability translates into broad-based economic opportunities for Zambians. Dr Musokotwane was accompanied by Acting Secretary to the Treasury Mr Mulele Mulele and Accountant General Ms Nsandi Manza.
This courtesy call builds on a long history of high-level bilateral engagements between Zambia and Türkiye. The partnership is supported by multiple cooperation agreements, ministerial dialogues, and sustained business interactions aimed at expanding collaboration in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and mining. To date, the two countries have signed twenty-five bilateral agreements promoting trade and investment cooperation.
Development cooperation through institutions such as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), along with educational exchange programs and improved connectivity, further reinforces the multi-dimensional nature of the partnership. Türkiye’s diversified industrial base, strategic location bridging Europe and Asia, global trade integration, and growing technological capacity complement Zambia’s abundant natural resources, strategic Southern African position, expanding infrastructure agenda, and policy focus on value-addition and export diversification.
The engagement signals Zambia’s deliberate transition into the next phase of its development momentum, marked by continued economic reforms, protected macroeconomic stability, and a clear emphasis on growth, investment, and job creation. By strengthening economic diplomacy with Türkiye, Zambia aims to convert these gains into sustainable opportunities for its citizens.