Dr. Pollen Urges Chinese Investors to Explore Zambia’s Investment Potential
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary (Administration), Dr. Gabriel Pollen, has called on Chinese investors to forge stronger collaborations with Zambians by establishing joint ventures across all 116 Local Authorities in Zambia. His appeal aims to accelerate socio-economic development, particularly in rural communities.
Speaking at Zhejiang University during the closing ceremony of a 10-day training organized by the Chinese government through the Global Development Promotion Center Network, Dr. Pollen highlighted untapped investment opportunities in sectors such as solar energy, agriculture, street lighting, and solid waste management.
He specifically emphasized the potential in solid waste management in municipalities as a promising area for power generation investments.
“I wish to call for more diversified collaboration by partnering with our 116 Local Authorities to set up businesses so as to help accelerate socio-economic development to our rural communities,” Dr. Pollen said.
The training focused on bilateral cooperation areas including China’s poverty reduction strategies, artificial intelligence, and comprehensive rural revitalization approaches. Dr. Pollen described Zambia as ripe for investment, citing its favorable investment climate, attractive incentives, ease of doing business, and stable political environment since independence.
Dr. Pollen further praised China’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and reiterated Zambia’s readiness to deepen cooperation on global challenges like climate change to enhance sustainable economic prosperity.
Professor Zhou Jianghong, Vice President of Zhejiang University, reaffirmed China’s commitment to providing platforms for bilateral cooperation aimed at accelerating rural development in underdeveloped regions.
The call for enhanced collaboration comes as Zambia and China mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, a partnership elevated last year to a comprehensive and strategic level by President Hakainde Hichilema and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Zambia was the first Southern African country to establish diplomatic ties with China on October 29, 1964 — a friendship forged by founding leaders President Kenneth Kaunda and Chairman Mao Zedong.
