Chinese premier makes landmark Zambia trip

19/11/2025 18:28

Zambia will host a Chinese premier on Wednesday for the first time in 28 years as the sub-Saharan state emerges from a financial crisis, with Beijing eager to access commodities and develop a bigger market for its exporters.



China is Zambia's largest official creditor, owed $5.7 billion and keen to highlight countries that are model members of President Xi Jinping's flagship Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.



China has said it would also like to show how African nations can recover from financial crises with its assistance.



Premier Li Qiang's arrival in Lusaka is part of a push to deepen China's presence in the copper-rich country as Europe and the U.S. vie to be alternative benefactors now that Zambia's $13.4 billion in debt is on a more sustainable repayment plan.



Industrialising Zambia needs fresh investment in mining, infrastructure and production capacity, while China wants to boost exports of tractors, electrical equipment and construction vehicles.



The World Bank expects Zambia's economy to grow 6.5% next year, outstripping an average of 5% over the past two decades.