President Hichilema Urges EU to Finalise Zambia’s Debt Restructuring

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on European Union countries supporting Zambia’s debt restructuring programme to finalise the outstanding elements of the process, so that their goodwill can be fully realised under Zambia’s growth agenda.
Speaking when a delegation of European Union Ambassadors to Zambia and COMESA called on him at State House today, President Hichilema emphasised that Zambia’s focus is firmly on building the growth agenda.
He further stressed that the EU and Zambia must continue engaging each other to evolve the partnership towards engagements of mutual benefit. He noted that the current geopolitical situation requires joint action, warning that the expansion of the USA–Israel war against Iran could affect Zambia’s macroeconomic stability, particularly through rising fuel prices.
President Hichilema also called for a rules-based global order that promotes predictability.

EU Ambassador to Zambia and COMESA, Karolina Stasiak, presented a report on the EU–Zambia Dialogue held in February. She highlighted that the partnership must remain people-centered, focusing on job creation, expanding economic opportunities, and improving living standards.
She noted that the EU is scaling up its engagement to support Zambia’s growth through long-term investments in infrastructure and targeted policy support. Ambassador Stasiak expressed satisfaction with the growing interest of European businesses in Zambia and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s ambition to build an environmentally sustainable economy through initiatives promoting sustainable land use, biodiversity, and value chain development.
She also emphasised the EU’s appreciation of Zambia’s constructive role in regional integration and trade facilitation, pledging continued collaboration with the government under President Hichilema’s leadership.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe added that the Dialogue remains a strong pillar of the EU–Zambia partnership, allowing shared values to flourish. He confirmed that, following Zambia’s invitation, EU election observers will arrive tomorrow for a pre-assessment mission ahead of the August 13 elections.