ZAMBIA, US EYE STRONGER COMMERCIAL TIES …as HH meets US top envoy Frank Garcia
ZAMBIA, US EYE STRONGER COMMERCIAL TIES
…as HH meets US top envoy Frank Garcia
By DAVID KANDUZA
PRESIDENT-ELECT Hakainde Hichilema held high-level bilateral talks at Community House in Lusaka, today August 31, 2026, Monday with the newly appointed US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia Jr.
The critical meeting signalled a strategic recalibration of relations between Lusaka and Washington, emphasising a commercial diplomacy push under the Donald Trump administration.
Following the dialogue, President Hichilema expressed optimism about the future of the partnership, reaffirming the enduring bond shared between the two sovereign nations.
“Zambia deeply values its longstanding friendship with the United States,” President Mr Hichilema posted on his official Facebook page.
“We look forward to further strengthening our bilateral relations through increased trade, investment, and mutually beneficial cooperation for the prosperity of our two peoples,” he said.
Mr Garcia arrived in Lusaka as the first stop of his second official tour of the African continent.
His visit centres directly on the US administration’s targeted “trade over aid” policy, which aims to drive robust private sector growth, unlock capital and secure strategic supply chain agreements—particularly in infrastructure and critical mineral sectors like the Lobito Corridor.
The diplomatic engagement comes just weeks after a direct telephone consultation between President Hichilema and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, illustrating Washington’s intent to closely partner with Zambia on regional economic security and health systems.