Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties during a high-level courtesy visit that brought senior officials from both nations together. The visit, which took place in Lusaka, highlighted mutual interests in economic cooperation, regional security, infrastructure development, and cross-border trade.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema welcomed the DRC delegation, emphasizing the importance of neighborly relations built on trust, mutual respect, and shared development goals. He underscored Zambia’s readiness to deepen collaboration in key sectors such as mining, energy, agriculture, and transportation. President Hichilema noted that both countries, rich in natural resources and strategically located, must work together to promote regional integration and prosperity.
The DRC delegation, led by a senior government envoy on behalf of President Félix Tshisekedi, echoed similar sentiments. The envoy praised Zambia’s stable political climate and expressed gratitude for Zambia’s consistent support in regional peace initiatives and economic development efforts. He reaffirmed the DRC’s interest in continued partnerships in mineral value addition, road and rail infrastructure projects, and border facilitation measures to ease the movement of goods and people.
The leaders also discussed joint strategies for combating transboundary threats, including smuggling, illegal mining, and security challenges in the region. Both sides agreed on the need for increased intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols along their shared border to enhance stability.
The meeting resulted in renewed commitments to existing agreements and the exploration of new frameworks that will enhance cooperation. One of the highlighted initiatives was the ongoing collaboration on the Lobito Corridor project, which aims to boost trade routes and mineral exports from the Copperbelt region to global markets.
Diplomatic observers have noted that the strong relationship between Zambia and the DRC plays a pivotal role in the political and economic fabric of Southern and Central Africa. Their cooperation is seen as critical in fostering peace, unlocking regional trade, and addressing shared development challenges.
Officials from both countries expressed optimism about the future of Zambia-DRC relations and announced plans for follow-up meetings at ministerial and technical levels to implement agreed-upon priorities. The visit concluded with a joint communique affirming their shared vision for a stable, prosperous, and interconnected region.
