ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY IN ACTION
.,….. Why President Hichilema’s Abu Dhabi Visit Matters for Zambia.
By Lengwe Cornelius Bwalya
In a globalized economy, a nation’s prosperity is heavily dictated by the strength of its international partnerships and the strategic vision of its leadership.
President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent working visit to Abu Dhabi, highlighted by his crucial meeting with Mr. Ali Rashed Alrashdi, Chief Executive Officer of International Resources Holding (IRH), provides a masterclass in impactful economic diplomacy.
By directly engaging the leadership of the entity co-owning Mopani Copper Mines alongside state owned ZCCM-IH, the President has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to unlocking Zambia’s immense economic potential.
This high level engagement is not just a diplomatic formality; it is a vital catalyst for the administration’s bold “Grow Zambia” agenda.
Central to this vision is an ambitious yet necessary target: scaling national copper production to three million tonnes annually.
To achieve a transformation of this magnitude, key national assets like Mopani Copper Mines must operate at peak efficiency.
President Hichilema’s proactive approach in Abu Dhabi ensures that our international investment partners are fully aligned with this national trajectory, securing the capital, confidence and momentum required to revitalize the Copperbelt.
What makes this visit truly commendable is that President Hichilema did not merely solicit investment; he firmly safeguarded the interests of the Zambian people.
By explicitly underscoring the need for mining companies to give full effect to the Local Content law, the President drew a clear line in the sand.
He sent an unmistakable message to global investors: while Zambia is proudly open for business, foreign capital must actively empower domestic industries.
Under his guidance, international partnerships must prioritize Zambian suppliers, contract local professionals, and create meaningful opportunities for citizens to participate directly in the value chain.
For too long, Zambia’s vast natural resources failed to translate into tangible benefits for the ordinary citizen due to inconsistent policies and isolated governance.
President Hichilema’s leadership is decisively changing that narrative. His ability to command respect on the global stage while remaining fiercely protective of local economic empowerment proves that it is entirely possible to welcome global capital without compromising national sovereignty or citizen welfare.
President Hichilema’s working visit to Abu Dhabi is a definitive win for the republic. It reflects a leader who understands that real economic growth requires steady, predictable, and strategic engagement with the world.
As the “Grow Zambia” agenda gains further ground, the nation can look toward the future with immense optimism, confident that our natural resources chief among them our copper are finally being leveraged to deliver real, lasting prosperity to the Zambian people.