Zambia has urged Japanese investors to take advantage of investment opportunities in the country to accelerate economic growth, create jobs and promote value addition.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan, Tobias Mulimbika, says increased investment in mining, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and tourism will help advance the government’s Grow Zambia Agenda.
Dr Mulimbika was speaking during a reception in Tokyo marking Zambia’s 62nd Independence Anniversary under the theme, Zambia @62: Our Journey, Our Growth, Our Future.
He encouraged Japanese companies to go beyond traditional development cooperation by investing in local industries, transferring technology, developing skills and partnering with Zambian businesses.
Dr Mulimbika also highlighted Zambia’s ambition to increase power generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts and attract five million international visitors, noting that these targets present opportunities for Japanese investors.
He cited ongoing cooperation between the two countries, including collaboration with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, Zambia’s participation in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development and Expo 2025 Osaka, as well as the Japan–Zambia Investment Agreement, which came into force on 30th July 2026.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Director-General of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Misako Takahashi, says the investment agreement is expected to improve Zambia’s investment climate and revitalise economic relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Takahashi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to encouraging Japanese companies to invest in Zambia, citing the country’s copper and other mineral resources, agricultural potential and tourism opportunities.
She also emphasised the importance of human resource development and youth exchanges in strengthening bilateral relations.
Ambassador Takahashi disclosed that 45 young Zambians have studied in Japan under the ABE Initiative, while more than 5,000 Zambians have participated in short-term training programmes facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
She added that 35 JICA volunteers are currently serving in Zambia, supporting sectors such as education and infectious disease control.
Ambassador Takahashi further highlighted youth exchange programmes between the two countries, including visits by Zambian and Japanese students aimed at promoting educational and cultural cooperation.
She also welcomed recent high-level engagements between the two countries, including President Hakainde Hichilema’s visit to Japan and the April 2026 visit to Zambia by Japan’s Foreign Minister, Motegi, which marked the first visit by a Japanese Foreign Minister to Zambia in 42 years.
This is according to a press statement issued to the media by First Secretary Press and Public Relations, at the Zambian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, Faith Chilube.
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