PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed Zambia’s long-standing ties with the United Kingdom, describing the partnership as rooted in years of mutual trust, investment and shared values. Speaking when His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, Alastair Long, paid a courtesy call on him at State House, President Hichilema said he was delighted to receive the Commissioner, […]

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed Zambia’s long-standing ties with the United Kingdom, describing the partnership as rooted in years of mutual trust, investment and shared values.

Speaking when His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, Alastair Long, paid a courtesy call on him at State House, President Hichilema said he was delighted to receive the Commissioner, describing his visit as important to Zambia and to the continued strengthening of bilateral ties.

President Hichilema said Zambia values the long-standing cooperation with the United Kingdom, noting that British investments in the country have left a lasting legacy.

He said for many years, Zambia was not fully utilising the potential of that partnership, but his administration has now begun to do so.

“And the younger generation of Zambians might be a little bit conscious that electricity is very important and I suspect that you’re one of the leading producers of energy, family energy,” he said.

President Hichilema traced part of his own journey to Commonwealth development cooperation, recalling his early years after undergraduate studies, and said Zambia respects and values the relationship with the UK.

“So we do respect and value this relationship. So we’re very grateful,” he said.

Meanwhile, United Kingdom Trade Commissioner for Africa, Alastair Long, who recently assumed office, said the United Kingdom is committed to investing and contributing to Zambia’s “Grow Zambia Agenda”  being spearheaded by President Hichilema.

Mr Long, who previously served as Deputy Trade Commissioner and later Trade Commissioner for Africa between 2019 and 2022 before serving as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Bahrain, said Zambia has taken significant steps to stabilise the economy and prepare for a bright future.