ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema met in Abu Dhabi on September 29 to discuss stronger bilateral economic ties. Hichilema visited the UAE after beginning his second presidential term earlier this month. The leaders reviewed cooperation in the economy, renewable energy and infrastructure. Their talks also covered ongoing negotiations for a UAE-Zambia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA, aimed at creating a broader framework for economic cooperation.
Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Hichilema and wished him success during his new presidential term. The two presidents reaffirmed a bilateral relationship that they said spans more than 50 years. They discussed development partnerships and economic diversification alongside opportunities for further cooperation between the UAE and Zambia. The meeting placed particular attention on areas that involve government and private-sector participation. Neither government announced a timetable for completing the CEPA, and officials did not disclose negotiated tariff terms or other detailed provisions.
The presidential talks coincided with new commercial agreements during Hichilema’s visit to Abu Dhabi. Zambia’s State House said the two countries concluded memoranda of understanding valued at a combined $2.14 billion during the Zambia-UAE Business Forum. The agreements covered several economic sectors, according to the Zambian government. Hichilema also reiterated Zambia’s interest in expanding trade with the UAE through a comprehensive partnership agreement. The government did not provide a detailed breakdown of every project covered by the announced memoranda.
Trade agreement remains under negotiation
The UAE-Zambia CEPA remained under negotiation following the leaders’ meeting. Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema said a completed agreement would represent a significant step in bilateral economic relations. They also identified it as a framework for expanding cooperation across the public and private sectors. The two governments have not announced a signing date. The talks form part of wider economic engagement between the countries, with trade, investment, mining, infrastructure and renewable energy featuring in official bilateral discussions during 2026.
Those sectors also featured during earlier meetings between Zambian and UAE officials. In March, UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan met Hichilema in Lusaka and discussed trade, investment, mining and renewable energy cooperation. Sheikh Shakhboot returned to Zambia in September for Hichilema’s inauguration and conveyed greetings from Sheikh Mohamed. The meetings followed Hichilema’s re-election in August and the start of his new term, adding another round of high-level contacts before his working visit to Abu Dhabi.
Mining and renewable energy feature in bilateral ties
Mining already represents a substantial area of UAE-linked investment in Zambia. Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding acquired a 51% interest in Mopani Copper Mines in 2024, while Zambia’s ZCCM Investments Holdings retained 49%. International Resources Holding said in July 2025 that it had invested more than $1.1 billion in Mopani since taking control. The company operates the Nkana and Mufulira mining complexes in Zambia’s Copperbelt, where operations cover copper extraction, processing, smelting and refining for export markets.
The September 29 meeting kept the immediate focus on expanding economic cooperation while the CEPA negotiations continue. Sheikh Mohamed and Hichilema also discussed infrastructure and renewable energy as part of the bilateral agenda. Zambia’s announcement of $2.14 billion in memoranda added a commercial element to the presidential visit, while the proposed trade agreement remained separate and unsigned. As of September 30, both governments continued to describe the CEPA as under negotiation, with no official date announced for its completion or signing.
