PRINT

Commissioner Síkela visits Zambia to deepen EU-Zambia cooperation on sustainable development and promote investments along the Lobito Corridor

10.11.2025 Press and information team of the Delegation to ZAMBIA

Lusaka, Zambia – November 10, 2025 - The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, will visit Zambia from 10 to 12 November 2025 to strengthen cooperation on job creation, industrial development, and sustainable growth under the Global Gateway strategy of the European Union. 

During the visit, Commissioner Síkela will open the EU–Zambia Lobito Corridor Business Forum in Lusaka together with President Hakainde Hichilema. The Forum will bring together European and Zambian businesses, investors, and development banks to explore opportunities in transport, energy, agriculture, and critical raw materials along the Lobito Corridor – the economic corridor linking Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo to global markets.

Commissioner will also announce new investments in mutual cooperation focused on support for the development of the Lobito Corridor and related value chains, deepening of the cooperation on critical raw materials to promote local processing, skills, and new industries and expand investment in education and training through renewed budget support.

This builds on the EU–Zambia Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains, signed in October 2023. The partnership focuses on transforming Zambia’s natural wealth into local value, that translates into new jobs, new businesses and more opportunities for young people.

Commissioner Síkela will meet President Hichilema, members of Zambian government and private sector leaders to discuss how Global Gateway investments can support local businesses and communities across Zambia.

“Zambia’s young people want jobs, skills, and opportunities and with Global Gateway we can deliver this to them. Together, we are building local industries, supporting entrepreneurs, and ensuring that Zambia’s resources create value at home. This partnership is good for Zambia’s development and for Europe’s economic security - a true win-win cooperation.”

Background

  • The EU and Zambia have cooperated for over 50 years across education, health, and economic sectors.

  • The Lobito Corridor — connecting Zambia’s Copperbelt with the Atlantic coast in Angola — is designed to boost regional trade, support local industries, and secure responsible supply chains for critical raw materials essential for the green and digital transitions.

  • Global Gateway is the EU’s strategy for investment in sustainable development.

Media inquiries contact:

Mweemba Nchimunya, Press & Information Officer, EU Delegation to Zambia & COMESA,  Nchimunya.MWEEMBA@eeas.europa.eu, +260 970007092