President Hakainde Hichilema has returned from a landmark state visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, where he engaged in pivotal discussions with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The visit aimed to bolster economic cooperation and unearth fresh avenues for investment and trade between the two nations.
During his stay, President Hichilema delved into high-level talks with his Egyptian counterpart, lauding Egypt’s advancements in infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and healthcare. The leaders reaffirmed their dedication to deepening economic ties through joint public-private ventures. The visit culminated in a joint press briefing, where several Memoranda of Understanding was inked, paving the way for collaboration across multiple sectors.
A highlight of the trip was President Hichilema’s tour of Egypt’s iconic historical sites, including the Great Pyramids of Giza—monuments that have withstood the test of nearly 5,000 years and remain one of the last standing Wonders of the Ancient World. Reflecting on Egypt’s adept preservation of its cultural heritage, he underscored the significance of tourism as an economic catalyst and expressed keen interest in adopting similar strategies to elevate Zambia’s tourism sector.
Another noteworthy visit was to Egypt’s Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute in Cairo. Established in 1903, the institute is a vanguard in veterinary vaccine research and production. With Zambia’s ambition to eradicate livestock diseases and bolster agricultural exports, President Hichilema voiced optimism about forging partnerships with Egyptian institutions to enhance vaccine production and disease prevention efforts in Zambia.
“Our visit has been fruitful, and Zambians can anticipate meaningful progress in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and energy,” President Hichilema declared. “We also recognize and commend the over 40 Zambian companies that participated in the Egypt-Zambia Business Forum, creating new trade and investment opportunities.”
Beyond governmental initiatives, the President highlighted Egypt’s ambitious infrastructure projects, including the construction of a new Administrative Capital in Cairo. Inspired by the scale and efficiency of these developments, he reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to pursuing similar large-scale projects through strategic partnerships.
As the delegation departed Egypt, President Hichilema expressed heartfelt gratitude to President el-Sisi for the invitation and extended his appreciation to the Zambians for their unwavering support. He called on citizens to continue backing efforts that drive national development and economic growth.
