Hichilema, Herzog Strengthen Zambia–Israel Ties
President Hakainde Hichilema has held bilateral talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at State House in Lusaka, marking a major step forward in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Zambia and Israel.
President Herzog is in Zambia on a State Visit, reciprocating President Hichilema’s visit to Israel in June 2023. The visit also follows the reopening of the Israeli Embassy in Lusaka in August 2025, ending more than 50 years without a resident diplomatic mission and signalling a renewed era of cooperation.
During the talks, the two Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration under the General Framework Agreement of Cooperation signed in 2023. Key areas of focus included agriculture, water management, renewable energy, trade, education, health, and technology.
President Hichilema highlighted the importance of innovation-driven partnerships that support Zambia’s development ambitions, particularly in agriculture and health.
He commended Israel’s precision irrigation technologies and training programmes that have equipped Zambian youth with technical skills, noting that climate-smart agriculture and energy diversification remain central to Zambia’s resilience strategy.
He also welcomed the recent ceasefire in the Middle East, emphasising Zambia’s consistent support for peace, dialogue, and regional stability as prerequisites for development.
President Herzog described the visit as a symbol of friendship and mutual respect between Israel and Zambia. He said his delegation carried a message of partnership rooted in shared values, noting that Israel remains committed to supporting African nations in tackling challenges such as food security, climate change, water management, science, and technology.
President Herzog praised Zambia’s progress in economic reforms and investor confidence, revealing that Israeli businesses and NGOs are increasingly exploring opportunities in agriculture and technology.
He also acknowledged the impact of educational and technical cooperation, with Zambian professionals benefiting from Israeli training programmes.
The visit is expected to broaden cooperation across multiple sectors and pave the way for new investment, knowledge transfer, and development projects.
