Egyptian-Zambian Forum: Strengthening agricultural cooperation to achieve sustainable development

The Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade hosted the Egyptian-Zambian Business Forum on February 24, 2025, under the title “Enhancing Trade Exchange and Joint Investments for Sustainable Development.” The forum was attended by Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, Lieutenant General Mohandes Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Chipuka Mulenga, Zambian Minister of Trade and Industry, and Tublai Lubaya, Zambia's Ambassador to Cairo.

Agricultural cooperation between Egypt and Zambia: A Strategic Pivot

The forum represents an important opportunity to enhance agricultural cooperation between Egypt and Zambia, especially in light of the challenges facing the African continent, such as population increase, scarcity of natural resources, climate change, desertification, and food waste, said Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. He explained that the adoption of modern technologies, such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, and early warning devices, can greatly contribute to enhancing agricultural productivity and the sustainability of food systems.

The minister pointed out that Egyptian-Zambian relations have witnessed a remarkable development during the recent period, especially after President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema in June 2023, during the COMESA summit, where they emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in the agriculture, livestock, and fish farming sectors.

MoUs to strengthen agricultural partnership

As part of the outcomes of the forum, a number of MoUs were signed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the fields of:

• Agricultural investment and development of agricultural production

• Maximizing fisheries investments

• Enhancing food security through the exchange of modern technologies

• Developing infrastructure supporting the agricultural sector

  
  

Farouk pointed out that Egypt has extensive experience in agricultural industrialization and water resources management, which can contribute to achieving economic integration between the two countries, through increasing agricultural production and developing modern irrigation methods to face climate challengesة.

Zambia: Promising agricultural potential

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema said that Zambia has huge potential in the fields of agriculture and renewable energy, thanks to its strategic location that makes it a logistical hub for regional and international trade. He added that his government is committed to providing an attractive investment environment by improving laws, providing facilities, and incentivizing FDI.

Chipuka Mulenga, Zambia's Minister of Trade and Industry, explained that Zambia seeks to enhance agricultural cooperation with Egypt by exchanging expertise in agricultural production, improving crop quality, and utilizing modern technologies in natural resource management.

Strengthening infrastructure and transportation to serve the agricultural sector

Zambia's Minister of Trade and Industry Chipuka Mulenga announced plans to launch direct flights between Cairo and Lusaka, which will facilitate the transportation of agricultural products, boost trade exchange, and encourage Egyptian investments in Zambia. The Zambian minister also reiterated his country's commitment to developing transportation infrastructure and simplifying customs procedures to boost agricultural trade between the two countries.

New horizons for agricultural cooperation

The forum concluded by affirming Egypt and Zambia's commitment to strengthening African cooperation and achieving economic integration, in order to achieve sustainable development for the peoples of the two countries. The parties agreed on the importance of enhancing the added value of Zambian agricultural products through agricultural industrialization and benefiting from Egyptian expertise, which will provide new opportunities for the development of the Zambian economy and open wider horizons for economic partnership between the two countries.

The forum reflects the shared vision between Egypt and Zambia towards a more prosperous and sustainable future on the African continent, where the agricultural sector is a key pillar in enhancing food security and achieving comprehensive development.

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