Zambia’s ties with U.S. no longer aid-driven but investment-led, Kanyama claims

He said citizens had raised concerns over the duration of the agreement, data protection, intellectual property and conditions relating to the sharing of biological specimens.

“In a true partnership, we cannot simply brush aside these public anxieties. They represent our cultural values, our sovereignty, and our right to protect our people’s data and resources,” he said.

Kanyama said negotiations had resulted in the complete removal of the requirement to share biological specimens, while data sharing was restricted to programme monitoring and evaluation.

He said the outcome demonstrated that Zambia could safeguard national assets and citizens’ privacy while maintaining a strategic healthcare partnership with the United States.

Kanyama said the country’s evolving relationship with the US was also reflected in investment initiatives such as the US-backed Lobito Corridor and KoBold Metals’ Mingomba mining project.

“KoBold Metals Africa is led by a Zambian CEO, Mfikeyi Makayi. This shows that American capital can successfully build local value chains, transfer technology, and respect local human resources,” Kanyama said.

He said Zambia was seeking an investment-led relationship with the US based on mutual transparency and respect for national sovereignty.

“Zambia welcomes an investment-led future built on mutual transparency and sovereign respect. When our nations listen to each other’s domestic contexts, we forge far stronger and more resilient global bonds,” he said.

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