Zambia’s greater connection with western nations is demonstrated by the vice president of the United States’ most recent trip there, Kamala Harris. It gave the notion that Zambia’s president, Hakainde Hichilema, is forcefully aligning the nation with the west new momentum.
His pro-business attitude, western education, and renewed interaction with allies and international financial institutions in the UK, US, and EU have all made this clear.
However, this re-engagement has halted before the pendulum has fully swung. For instance, the nation still has close relations to China.
In August 2021, Hichilema won the election on a platform that included promises of domestic economic rebirth, responsible leadership, and a pro-business stance. In his inaugural speech, he outlined a new course for the nation’s foreign policy. This placed a focus on alliances and economic diplomacy across the newly growing geopolitical chasm between western nations, China, and Russia.
Some investment has been made thanks to Hichilema’s support for democratic institutions and good administration. However, it will take time for this to result in real advantages for citizens.
China is also revising the terms of its economic relationship with Zambia. This can indicate a possible lack of investment in the near future, just when it is most needed.
To close this gap and promote further changes, the US is eager. Harris disclosed a donation of US$16 million for fresh Zambian initiatives. These include initiatives to combat corruption and other reforms. She also disclosed a memo of understanding on business ventures and trade.
Many people have viewed her visit as a component of American efforts to offset what it sees as Chinese influence on the continent. The majority of African politicians don’t hold such a divisive opinion. They are eager to claim their own autonomy and select international partners based on more practical considerations.
In my most recent work, I make the case that Zambia’s interests are best served by avoiding involvement in international geopolitics. In addition to fostering economic relationships with its neighbors, it must sustain relations with partners in the east and the west.
• As a valuable producer of natural resources needed for the world’s transformation to a green economy, particularly copper, cobalt, nickel, and manganese;
• As a democratic state and possible African partner for western powers on the continent.
Consecutive high-level visits have highlighted Zambia’s significance. Among them is the January meeting in Lusaka between Hichilema and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen over debt restructuring.
Beyond money, the bond is growing. Zambia and the US Africa Command signed a security cooperation agreement in 2022, and the US embassy in Lusaka became the office’s new home. Before deploying Zambian battalions to the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, the US government has provided over $8 million in assistance since 2014.
In addition, Zambia has attracted the attention of its western allies by consistently abstaining in UN votes on the conflict in Ukraine. It did it by breaking with more established players in southern Africa.
Zambian officials, however, have made it clear to me that the vote was against the war and not against Russia. The first nation to recognize Zambia as an independent state was the former Soviet Union, of which Russia was a part, in 1964.
Hichilema has made a point of keeping good connections with all of his allies. This has been particularly evident in how he has handled Zambia’s relationship with China, its “all-weather friend.”
Hichilema has adopted a forceful stance in regard to international affairs. The “positive neutrality” practiced in Zambia has been upheld by him. Although he has revived ties with western allies, particularly the US and the UK, his government has also kept vital ties with China.
The macroeconomic significance of China has to be balanced with unfavorable local attitudes, according to successive Zambian administrations. A growingly important domestic political concern is the relationship with China. Many Zambians are wary of, or even hostile toward, Chinese businesses because of unfair labor practices and abuses of human rights.
Hichilema, however, has continued Zambia’s ties with China. In May 2022, a phone conversation with President Xi Jinping was crucial in enabling China’s constructive participation in an ongoing global debt discussion. Additionally, it put Zambia in the front of Beijing’s own “new development paradigm”.
With an emphasis on foreign direct investment flows rather than loan funding, this intends to promote small and medium-sized businesses, human capital investments, and the development of renewable energy.
A diverse range of partners have opened up new investments and development support thanks to Hichilema’s self-styled “chief marketing officer” strategy. These nations include Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
The greatest focused effort has been made to strengthen Zambia’s ties to its neighbors. Hichilema has traveled to numerous countries in the region, including Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Malawi, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, and Rwanda. His engagements outside of Africa are significantly outnumbered by these. He has entered into bilateral agreements with neighbors about manufacturing, mining, and agriculture.
The US is aware of the importance Hichilema places on the growth of regional value chains. The US approved a memorandum of understanding with Zambia and the DRC in 2022 to develop batteries for electric vehicles. Such foreign assistance may be essential for overcoming industry skepticism on regulatory and infrastructure shortcomings.
