President Hichilema Calls for ‘Reset’ in U.S.-Zambia Relations Anchored in Trade, Technology, and Mutual Growth

Lusaka, July 2025

President Hakainde Hichilema has called for a bold and deliberate reset in the long-standing relationship between Zambia and the United States, urging a shift from traditional aid-based engagement toward commercially-driven cooperation anchored in investment, technology, joint ventures, and mutual prosperity.

Speaking at a high-level diplomatic meeting at State House with U.S. Ambassador Mike Gonzalez and his delegation, President Hichilema acknowledged the warm historical ties between the two nations, but insisted the time had come for a more structured, results-oriented partnership.

“This is not about mourning the past,” the President said. “We are saying the coin has two sides. What can we do to find convergence between the new thrust in America and our own desire to grow the economy?”

While appreciating the substantial development assistance Zambia has received over the years, particularly U.S. backing in its complex debt restructuring efforts, President Hichilema was clear that the next chapter must be driven by tangible results. He emphasised that true development must go beyond commitments, and translate into job creation, industrialisation, and shared growth.

He laid out four key areas for redefined engagement: mobilising fairly priced capital, accessing appropriate technology, forming joint ventures with American companies, and promoting local value addition in critical sectors like mining.

“We don’t want the old model where foreign direct investment comes in and holds 100 percent ownership,” he said. “We want partnerships at equity and management levels. We want the best skills, even from outside, if they help us employ a hundred Zambians.”

President Hichilema also reflected on Zambia’s improved macroeconomic position. He highlighted milestones including the reopening of long-defunct mining shafts, a revived free education policy that has brought two million children back into classrooms, and a projected annual copper output of nearly one million tonnes.

“Compare that to where we were four years ago,” he said. “We had minus 2.8 percent GDP. This year, we believe we can whisper to six percent. That’s where jobs are, that’s where business opportunities are, and that’s where treasured revenue is.”

He credited the IMF and World Bank, both U.S.-anchored institutions, for playing a key role in helping Zambia restructure its debt. “It gave us headroom to focus on the development agenda,” he noted, underscoring that debt relief was not an end in itself, but a platform for building a stronger, fairer economy.

Turning to democracy and governance, the President was adamant that Zambia’s democratic gains must be accompanied by economic dividends. “Democracy must deliver results. These results must be seen in jobs, in the economy, and in business opportunities not just for foreign investors, but for Zambian citizens and local businesses.”

He also called for quicker decision-making from American firms, noting that Zambia cannot afford sluggish responses in a global economy that moves rapidly.

“We are a small economy in a hurry,” Hichilema said pointedly. “We understand U.S. corporations have structures and stock exchange rules, but we are asking how can those decisions be made faster so we can grow together?”

The President stressed the need for mutual respect in diplomatic and business dealings. “You diplomats must respect that we are doing what is supposed to be done for the people of Zambia first. In doing that, we meet in the middle where American interests align with Zambian interests.”

Closing the meeting, President Hichilema expressed gratitude to Ambassador Gonzalez for responding quickly to his invitation, describing the engagement as timely and necessary. “It shows the depth of our partnership and our shared intention to do more together.”

With his reset message now clearly articulated, President Hichilema has drawn the blueprint for a future in which U.S.-Zambia relations are no longer defined by donor-recipient dynamics, but by shared ambition and mutual reward.

U.S. Envoy Tells Zambia: ‘Time to Trade, Not Beg’
LUSAKA, July 9, 2025

In a frank and forward-looking address, United States Ambassador to Zambia, Mike Gonzalez, has urged Zambia to abandon dependency on development aid and embrace a bold new era of economic engagement grounded in trade, transparency, and mutual respect.

Speaking during a high-level meeting at State House with President Hakainde Hichilema and senior cabinet officials, Gonzalez said it was time to reset the trajectory of Zambia U.S. relations, which have long been characterised by what he described as underwhelming outcomes despite decades of American development assistance.

“Despite massive potential across this economy and nation, the business environment has not succeeded in attracting American businesses,” Gonzalez said, adding, “It is an environment where others have exploited resources, labor, and the law at the cost of the Zambian people.”

The U.S. diplomat made it clear that Washington’s current policy direction, especially under the administration of President Donald Trump, is to pivot away from handouts and toward sustainable, commerce-driven partnerships that benefit both nations. He stressed that future engagements must reflect mutual interests, lawfulness, and measurable results.

“This is not about non-disclosure agreements or unsustainable debt,” Gonzalez said. “It’s about commerce that pays taxes, abides by the law, and benefits our peoples.”

Calling for a fresh chapter in bilateral ties, the Ambassador urged Zambia to act quickly in creating an enabling environment that could invite serious American investment, noting that the window for global opportunities was rapidly narrowing.

“This is the moment to seize,” he emphasised. “Time has run out for platitudes. We need tangible results.”

Gonzalez also spoke in personal terms about his connection to Zambia, recalling that he first visited the country 30 years ago as a backpacker, and that his daughter took her first steps in Livingstone 15 years ago.

President Hichilema welcomed the Ambassador’s remarks, stating that he had initiated the meeting to express appreciation for U.S. support, particularly in Zambia’s debt restructuring process, and to explore new avenues of cooperation. He outlined four focal points for strengthening ties: mobilising capital, accessing technology, pursuing joint ventures, and ensuring value addition in Zambia’s key sectors.

The President acknowledged the past failings in Zambia’s investment climate but said his administration was rebuilding confidence by prioritising the rule of law and sound governance.

He pointed to recent milestones in the mining sector, such as the reopening of dormant shafts, as well as improvements in revenue collection, education access, and public infrastructure. Hichilema also highlighted the need for speed in turning bilateral intentions into action, reminding the U.S. delegation that electoral mandates come with tight delivery timelines.

“We are elected for five years,” he said. “Like President Trump, we must deliver in a limited window.”

Ambassador Gonzalez agreed, noting that his visit marked the beginning of a strategic “reset” that must replace nostalgia with pragmatic outcomes. He assured the President of the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s development agenda, as long as it is rooted in fairness, reciprocity, and rule-based partnerships.

Government has dismissed as false and misleading social media reports alleging that 18 illegal miners were shot dead by police in Kikonge, Mufumbwe District. The clarification comes amid growing online speculation about a violent confrontation between law enforcement and illegal miners in the North-Western Province.

In a press statement issued by Principal Public Relations Officer Mr. Mwala Kalaluka, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, MP, confirmed that only two people had died, with one additional civilian injured. He further revealed that 11 police officers sustained injuries, including two seriously wounded, during a violent fracas as law enforcement attempted to disperse a massive crowd of illegal miners.

“Contrary to social media reports, there was no mass shooting in Kikonge. The situation involved a chaotic attempt to disperse over 50,000 illegal miners who had converged in a 120-kilometre radius,” Mwiimbu stated.

The Minister explained that security forces were deployed to restore order in the area, which had seen an overwhelming influx of illegal miners seeking access to valuable mineral deposits. While efforts were made to peacefully disperse the crowd, tensions quickly escalated, resulting in the confirmed casualties.

“The presence of such large numbers posed a significant security and safety threat, both to the miners themselves and to the surrounding communities,” the statement noted.

Hon. Mwiimbu reiterated the government’s position of zero tolerance toward illegal mining, emphasizing the importance of upholding law and order and protecting national resources.

“We will not allow disorder and illegal exploitation of minerals to take root. Law enforcement will act decisively to secure Zambia’s mining territories,” he added.

In light of the misinformation circulating online, the government has called for calm and urged the public to refrain from spreading falsehoods that may cause undue panic or disrupt ongoing security operations.

“We ask all citizens to exercise restraint and verify information before sharing it,” Mr. Kalaluka stressed.

The government maintains that it is closely monitoring the situation in Kikonge and surrounding areas, with additional measures being implemented to prevent further unrest while exploring long-term solutions to regulate and formalize small-scale mining activities.