President Hakainde Hichilema has arrived safely in Cairo, Egypt, for an official State Visit at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and foster economic cooperation between the two nations.
Upon arrival, President Hichilema expressed optimism about the engagements ahead, stating, “We look forward to fruitful engagements that benefit our citizens.” His visit underscores Zambia’s commitment to enhancing diplomatic ties and exploring new avenues for economic collaboration with Egypt.
As part of his itinerary, President Hichilema toured Egypt’s newly constructed Administrative Capital for Urban Development, an ambitious infrastructure project featuring government offices and residential housing units. The initiative showcases Egypt’s efforts in urban transformation and economic expansion.
“It was gratifying to learn that such a gigantic and iconic infrastructure has been developed by private sector players, without any funding from the government treasury,” President Hichilema remarked. “This is the kind of innovation and model we are aggressively pursuing under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) financing arrangement.”
The Zambian leader emphasized the importance of private sector participation in financing capital projects, arguing that such an approach alleviates pressure on national treasuries. This, in turn, allows governments to channel more resources toward essential social sectors such as health and education.
During the State Visit, President Hichilema is expected to hold high-level discussions with President el-Sisi and other Egyptian officials. The talks will focus on trade, investment, and development cooperation, with both nations seeking to explore opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.
The visit marks a significant step in deepening Zambia-Egypt relations, paving the way for increased collaboration that will benefit both nations’ economies and citizens.