President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia participated yesterday, Tuesday 12 May 2026, in the inaugural Africa Forward Summit held under the theme Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth. The summit brought together African leaders, investors and policy experts to discuss long-term strategies for economic transformation and cross-continental cooperation. The President used the platform to call for stronger investor participation in Africa’s development agenda, anchored on reforms already implemented by governments across the continent. He emphasised that policy stability and legal reforms are creating a more predictable environment for investment. His message focused on turning reform momentum into real economic activity that benefits citizens.
The Head of State encouraged investors to take advantage of reforms introduced in key sectors, with special attention to energy. He explained that recent policy changes have opened the door for private sector participation in power generation and transmission infrastructure. President Hichilema highlighted the urgent need for investment in electricity systems that can support industrialisation and economic expansion. He pointed to the importance of cross-border power infrastructure that connects regions across Africa. One of the key proposals he raised was the development of a major power interconnector linking Southern Africa to North Africa, designed to strengthen energy security and regional trade.
Energy was central to the President’s message, as he stressed that no meaningful development can take place without reliable and affordable power. He noted that Africa must prioritise large scale investments in both generation capacity and transmission networks. The President said energy infrastructure should be treated as a continental priority, not just a national issue. He added that improved energy access would unlock growth in manufacturing, agriculture and digital industries. He also reinforced the idea that sustainable economic transformation depends heavily on coordinated infrastructure development across borders.
President Hichilema further stressed the need for Africa to rely more on its own resources to finance development. He noted that declining Official Development Assistance places greater responsibility on African governments to innovate in mobilising domestic capital. He highlighted infrastructure such as roads, energy systems and logistics corridors as critical areas requiring strong internal financing strategies. He also pointed to the education sector, urging governments to increase investment in skills development. The President said Africa must equip its young population with innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities to support long term economic competitiveness.
During a plenary session focused on reforming the international financial architecture, the President raised concerns about the high cost of capital facing African economies. He said access to affordable financing remains one of the biggest barriers to development on the continent. He also warned that climate shocks and geopolitical instability continue to weaken economic resilience in many countries. According to him, Africa must build stronger financial systems that can withstand external pressure and uncertainty. He emphasised that risk reduction and investor confidence are essential for unlocking multilateral guarantees that support development projects.
The President also highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing the energy transition and green industrialisation agenda. He said these areas present major opportunities for collaboration between Africa and countries such as France. He encouraged the French private sector to invest in African markets and participate in long term growth strategies. He added that investment models must ensure mutual benefit, where both investors and African populations gain value. At the same time, he stressed that Africa’s development must be driven primarily by Africans, through strong leadership and internal capacity building.
President Hichilema also called on investors not only to bring capital but also to contribute ideas on policy reforms that can improve investment conditions. He said constructive engagement between governments and the private sector is essential for accelerating development outcomes. His remarks reflected a broader vision of inclusive growth driven by cooperation, innovation and shared responsibility. The President concluded his official engagements in Kenya following the summit, marking the end of a diplomatic visit focused on strengthening international partnerships. His participation at the Africa Forward Summit reinforced Zambia’s positioning in continental discussions on investment, energy and sustainable development.