China’s Premier Li Qiang is set to visit Zambia on Wednesday, marking the first trip by a Chinese premier to the country in 28 years. The visit comes as Zambia continues its recovery from a recent financial crisis and seeks new investment to support industrial expansion.
China, Zambia’s largest official creditor with $5.7 billion owed, has emphasized the country as a key participant in its Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing aims to strengthen economic ties, access key commodities, and expand markets for Chinese exports. Zambia’s improved debt position, now on a more sustainable repayment plan, has also renewed interest from global partners.
The visit is expected to deepen cooperation in mining, infrastructure, and industrial development. Zambia, rich in copper and actively pursuing industrialisation, is seeking new investment in mining operations, transport networks, and production capacity. China, in turn, aims to increase exports of machinery and electrical equipment. The World Bank forecasts Zambia’s economic growth at 6.5% next year, above its long-term average of 5%.
Analysts note that Li’s visit supports China’s longstanding involvement in Zambia’s development, including recent approval of a major refurbishment of the Tazara Railway. Built in the 1970s with Chinese financing, the railway provides access to Zambia’s copper reserves through Tanzania and remains a central project as alternative trade routes backed by Europe and the United States continue to expand.
China’s ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, stated that the visit is expected to result in multiple cooperation agreements, highlighting the impact of Chinese investment on Zambia’s economic transformation. Han encouraged the country to leverage China’s technological and economic expertise to strengthen resilience and capacity building.
In the wake of pandemic-era borrowing that strained many African economies, Zambia—like several countries in the region—has shifted its focus from loans to direct investment. Analysts previously noted that the complexity of Zambia’s debt restructuring process stemmed from the large number of Chinese lenders involved.
Over the past two decades, Chinese companies have invested about $6 billion in Zambia, primarily in the metals sector. Competition has increased as European and U.S. partners expand their own investment activities, including new commitments announced this month in transport, energy, agriculture, and critical raw materials.
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