Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema says relations with the United States should be anchored more firmly on economic cooperation rather than political personalities, as the two countries seek to stabilise ties following recent diplomatic tensions.
Hichilema made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with newly appointed US chargé d’affaires Mich Coker at State House in Lusaka.
He said the long-standing partnership between Zambia and the United States had endured across different administrations and must now evolve to reflect current economic priorities.
“The US-Zambia partnership has outlived personalities on both sides,” Hichilema said, adding that the focus should shift toward investment, technology transfer and private-sector-led growth.
The president said that while cooperation between the two countries has historically centred on aid and development programmes, Zambia now wants to “gravitate it a little more toward economic cooperation” and expand trade and joint ventures.
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He emphasised the need to bring the private sector more directly into bilateral engagement, describing it as essential for deepening commercial ties.
The remarks come after recent tensions between Lusaka and Washington over a proposed minerals-for-aid framework and a stalled US$2 billion health financing package that was reportedly linked to access to Zambian medical data.
The disagreements sparked diplomatic friction, with Zambia insisting that international partnerships must respect sovereignty and be based on equitable terms.
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Despite the disputes, both sides have moved to ease tensions and reaffirm cooperation.
Coker said the bilateral relationship remained strong regardless of political changes, stressing continuity in diplomatic ties.
“Leadership may change but the relationship between the United States and Zambia is strong and absolutely must endure,” he said.
The renewed engagement highlights Zambia’s broader effort to reposition its foreign partnerships toward investment-driven cooperation as the country seeks to attract capital for infrastructure, mining and industrial development.
Analysts say Lusaka is increasingly balancing traditional development assistance with a push for more commercially oriented partnerships, particularly in the minerals and energy sectors, where Zambia holds significant strategic resources.
The evolving dialogue reflects a wider trend among African countries seeking to redefine relations with global partners in favour of more mutually beneficial economic arrangements rather than aid-dependent models.
