Zambia and the United Arab Emirates have advanced their cooperation in digital transformation programme. Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development, Siazongo Siakalenge, says the government attaches great importance to the partnership and wants it to…

Zambia and the United Arab Emirates have advanced their cooperation in digital transformation programme.

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development, Siazongo Siakalenge, says the government attaches great importance to the partnership and wants it to yield practical, measurable and sustainable outcomes.

Mr Siakalenge was speaking in Lusaka today when a United Arab Emirates technical delegation on digital transformation called on him at his office.

He said Zambia and the UAE enjoy warm and cordial bilateral relations underpinned by long-standing diplomatic ties and growing economic cooperation spanning more than five decades.

Mr Siakalenge said the two countries have continued to explore opportunities to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure development, education and healthcare.

He stated that the visit by the technical delegation is significant as it follows up on President Hakainde Hichilema’s working visit to Abu Dhabi in September 2026, where he held bilateral discussions with UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs His Excellency Mohammed Bin Abdallah Al-Gergawi.

“During that visit, digital transformation was among key issues discussed, the government is pleased that concrete steps are now being taken to implement the understandings reached,” he said.

Meanwhile, the UAE Ambassador to Zambia, Mohammed Saeed Mohammed Alkaabi, said the visit is aimed at strengthening relations that have been growing over the last years in different areas.

The Ambassador said one of the key outcomes of President Hichilema’s recent visit to the UAE was a mutual commitment to knowledge exchange.

“In that spirit, we are honoured to host a team from the United Arab Emirates today and discuss a common objective and chart the path of cooperation between our two teams,” the Ambassador said.