Zambia Seals $2.1Bn Investment Agreements Abu Dhabi

By Ellen Hambuba Zambia has signed investment agreements worth more than 2.1 billion United States dollars during the Zambia-UAE Business Forum in Abu Dhabi. The six agreements, witnessed by President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, cover key sectors including healthcare, renewable energy, logistics, technology and biotechnology. The largest commitment is a two-billion-dollar agreement to establish a Zambia Medical City, with the project expected to position Zambia as a regional destination for specialized healthcare services. Health Minister Professor ROMA CHILENGI signed the agreement on behalf of the Zambian government, while DIHAD Sustainable Project Management L-L-C Director General KHALED AL ATTAR signed on behalf of the investor. The proposed Medical City will be developed on 100 hectares of land near the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, in partnership with the Zambia Airports Corporation. Professor CHILENGI said the project is expected to offer super-specialist medical services and help retain Zambians who currently travel abroad for specialized treatment. He said the development will also incorporate hotels, conferencing facilities, entertainment, shopping and housing, creating an integrated medical and tourism hub. Meanwhile, another health-related agreement involving Medland Health Services Zambia Limited and Lifenity Genomic Laboratory D-M-C-C is expected to promote the use of artificial intelligence, robotics and digital health in Zambia’s healthcare sector. Professor CHILENGI said the agreements demonstrate government’s commitment to transforming healthcare delivery and positioning Zambia as a destination for specialised medical services. The investment package also includes a 40-million-dollar renewable energy agreement between Sekute International Free Zone and ZAKH Renewable Energy. Another 100-million-dollar commitment has been made between Sekute International Free Zone Limited and Guidry Ports Services L-L-C for logistics and port-related services. Two additional agreements were signed between the Zambia Development Agency and Royal Group of Companies, and between ZDA and Tieksoft Holdings Limited. And Chief Sekute of Kazungula District has welcomed the investment commitments into the Sekute Economic Free Zone, saying they present an opportunity to unlock development and create jobs for local communities. Chief Sekute said the chiefdom has significant potential in agro-processing, manufacturing, logistics, tourism and health, and wants the agreements to translate into actual investment on the ground.