President Hakainde Hichilema and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Caleb Orr have agreed on a plan to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Zambia and the United States. The agreement centers on unlocking a significant grant package from the U.S., contingent upon collaboration in Zambia's mining sector and implementation of business sector reforms aimed at fostering economic growth and commercial investment.
The initiative is set to work alongside a restructured Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact and a five-year partnership focused on public health. These combined efforts are expected to support key reforms that will encourage greater investment, job creation, and private sector-led economic growth in both countries.
During their meeting, Assistant Secretary Orr emphasized the Trump Administration’s intention to build an enhanced partnership with Zambia. “Zambia has enormous economic potential but for too long has been constrained by a slow, unpredictable, and opaque business regulatory environment,” said Assistant Secretary Orr. “We want to leverage U.S. assistance to bring about reforms that will unleash business investment that enhances U.S. access to critical supply chains and creates great jobs for the Zambian people.”
Assistant Secretary Orr further explained the shift in U.S. foreign assistance priorities: “We are offering Zambia the opportunity to lead and benefit from the Trump Administration’s new approach to foreign assistance, and we look forward to finalizing terms based on clear progress in the coming months.”
The U.S. delegation included Ambassador Michael C. Gonzales, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southern African Affairs & Foreign Assistance in Africa Nick Checker, as well as senior staff from the Department of State.
Following discussions at State House, Assistant Secretary Orr planned meetings with leaders from several Zambian ministries—Finance; Mines and Mineral Development; Commerce, Trade and Industry; Technology and Science; Agriculture—as well as representatives from both local mining companies and American businesses such as KoBold Metals. The itinerary also included a visit to Kansanshi Mine operated by First Quantum Minerals in Northwest Province.