28.01.26- Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to pursuing equal and mutually beneficial partnerships in trade and investment, while acknowledging the continued importance of development cooperation and aid.

The President noted that Zambia is endowed with resources of the future, such as critical minerals, which present significant opportunities for collaboration with other countries through partnerships anchored in economic cooperation.

President Hichilema made the remarks on 27^th January, 2026, at State House in Lusaka when he received Letters of Credence from His. Excellency Mr. Soenke Siemon, Ambassador of Germany to the Republic of Zambia; His Excellency Mr. Mikami Akiteru, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia; and Her Excellency Ms. Elizabeth Nyantakyi, High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana to the Republic of Zambia. He also received Letters of Credence from His Excellency Mr. Goms Menette, High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to the Republic of Zambia and Her Excellency Ms. Maria del Rosario Mina Rojas, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the Republic of Zambia, with residence in Pretoria, South Africa.

The President highlighted that Zambia cherishes its long-standing relations with Germany, and values both government-to-government and people-to-people relations with Japan. He further observed that relations between the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Ghana date back to the era of Zambia’s Founding President, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, and Ghana’s Founding President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and continue to be strengthened under the current leadership.

On regional ties, President Hichilema emphasised that the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Namibia share an exceptional bond as neighbouring countries, describing the two nations as one people united by history, shared infrastructure, and close cooperation.

The President also underscored that Zambia’s relations with the Republic of Colombia are rooted in shared historical heritage, which Zambia is keen to maintain and deepen in order to achieve greater mutual benefit.

He further reiterated the need for increased intra-African trade as he addressed the newly appointed Ambassadors from the Republic of Ghana and the Republic of Namibia.

President Hichilema welcomed the newly accredited Ambassadors and High Commissioners, underscoring the importance of dialogue in addressing issues of mutual interest.