Zambia and Ghana have officially agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a pivotal move designed to significantly deepen trade, investment, and productive cooperation between the two West African nations. This landmark decision was reached during Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s three-day State Visit to Zambia, from February 4 to 6, at the invitation of President Hakainde Hichilema. The visit underscored the strong historical ties and shared Pan-African values that have long underpinned the relationship between Zambia and Ghana, rooted in the legacies of their founding Presidents, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Amidst a backdrop of global economic uncertainties, Presidents Hichilema and Mahama emphasized the critical importance of strengthening African-led partnerships, expanding intra-African trade, mobilizing African capital, and enhancing policy coordination. The new Comprehensive Economic Partnership is set to prioritize increased private-sector participation, streamline the movement of goods and capital, and foster joint ventures aimed at supporting value addition, industrialization, and job creation. Key areas identified for cooperation include agriculture and agro-processing, renewable energy and power trade, mining value addition (with a focus on artisanal and small-scale mining), trade and investment promotion under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), waste management, the circular economy, fintech and digital financial services, as well as skills development, innovation, and emerging technologies.

A significant highlight of the visit was the Zambia–Ghana Business Dialogue, which facilitated robust private-sector engagement across vital sectors such as mining, trade, investment, and financial technology. This dialogue reportedly led to the conclusion of business transactions worth US$7 million between fintech companies from both countries, with ongoing negotiations valued at US$65 million projected to generate approximately 8,000 jobs. Complementing these economic initiatives, the two governments formalized their cooperation by signing 10 Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements. These agreements span diverse areas including bilateral air services (enabling direct flights), visa waiver arrangements, standardisation, health cooperation, disaster risk management, diaspora engagement, trade and export promotion, and defence cooperation, all aimed at enhancing connectivity, easing movement, and strengthening institutional collaboration.

During his address to the Zambian Parliament, President Mahama commended Zambia’s steadfast efforts to stabilize its economy and reinforce democratic institutions. He specifically lauded the improved performance of the Zambian Kwacha and ongoing reform agendas as positive indicators for investors and regional partners, expressing confidence in Zambia's democratic processes ahead of its August 2026 general elections. President Mahama also shared Ghana’s economic recovery journey, detailing how decisive reforms, fiscal discipline, and bold policy choices have stabilized the Ghanaian economy, leading to a stabilized Cedi, improved international reserves, and upgraded credit ratings. Ghana, he noted, is on track to conclude its International Monetary Fund program by April 2026, driven by an agenda focused on industrialization, export-led growth, modern infrastructure, support for MSMEs, and an investor-friendly environment.

In a strategic move to promote greater African control over natural resources, President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s experience with the Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod), established in April last year as the sole authority for gold exports. He informed the Zambian National Assembly that Goldbod’s efforts significantly boosted gold exports from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, increasing from 63 to 104 tonnes within 10 months, generating over $10 billion in foreign exchange. Ghana is also progressing towards local refining of gold and processing of manganese and bauxite, signaling a shift from raw material export to value addition. President Mahama stressed that African countries must move beyond rhetoric to leverage their natural endowments for economic transformation, advocating for regional prosperity platforms, integrated energy grids, and digital infrastructure. As the African Union Champion for African financial institutions, he passionately called for the repatriation and strategic investment of a portion of Africa’s foreign reserves, currently held in Western financial systems, to unlock substantial development financing.

Beyond high-level policy, the visit also featured moments of cultural diplomacy and personal connection. President Mahama’s traditional Ghanaian attire, the fugu (also known as smock or batakari), became a topic of lively social media discussion, with Zambian President Hichilema expressing admiration and indicating his intent to order more. Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa embraced the moment, describing it as a renaissance of the “African personality” and linking the fugu’s significance to Ghana’s independence and cultural heritage. President Mahama expressed surprise at the widespread attention his attire received in Zambia, noting he had worn it on global platforms like the United Nations, but acknowledged its unexpected role in promoting Ghanaian smock weavers and potentially making it an export item. He also gifted President Hichilema a fugu, further cementing the cultural exchange.

Additionally, First Lady Lordina Mahama met with Zambia’s First Lady, Mutinta Hichilema, strengthening cross-border collaboration among women leaders committed to social development, where they exchanged ideas on ongoing initiatives. In a dramatic turn, President Mahama also demonstrated quick reflexes during a photo session at the business dialogue, preventing an attendee from falling off the stage. The visit concluded with both Presidents expressing satisfaction with the outcomes and pledging a results-oriented approach to further deepen Zambia–Ghana relations, with President Mahama extending gratitude for the warm hospitality received.