The UAE’s trade ambitions in Africa are accelerating — and Zambia is the latest proof of it.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, led a high-level government and business delegation to Lusaka this week as part of the UAE Trade and Investment Days. The visit included a meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and roundtable discussions with six senior ministers spanning energy, finance, agriculture, health, technology, and trade.
Trade Numbers That Speak for Themselves
Non-oil trade between the UAE and Zambia reached $3.4 billion in 2025 — a striking 64.5% jump from the year before. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by chance; it reflects a deliberate, structured effort by both nations to deepen commercial ties.
A key item on the agenda was the finalization of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which would open broader market access for goods and services and provide a more formal framework for future investment.
What’s on the Table
The UAE delegation represented sectors central to Zambia’s development priorities: agriculture, mining, renewable energy, logistics, aviation, healthcare, digital economy, and infrastructure. This wasn’t a diplomatic courtesy call — it was business-led dialogue with specific deals in mind.
The Bigger Picture
This Zambia visit is part of a broader UAE push into high-growth African markets, following a similar delegation to Cameroon last month. For the UAE, Africa isn’t a future opportunity — it’s an active priority right now.
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