By John Chola

Zambia has launched a diplomatic and financial offensive at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings, deploying a high-powered delegation led by Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa to secure long-term investment partnerships and advance its economic transformation agenda.

The meetings, running from May 25 to 29 in the Republic of Congo under the theme “Mobilising Africa’s Development Financing at Scale in a Fragmented World,” have drawn finance ministers, central bank governors, and private sector leaders from across the continent.

Mr. Nkulukusa is accompanied by Permanent Secretary Mulele Maketo Mulele, Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor Dr. Francis Chipimo, and Director of Research Dr. Jonathan Chipili.

“Zambia’s presence here reflects the government’s continued strategy to strengthen international cooperation, deepen engagement with development finance institutions, sustain investor confidence, and advance our broader economic transformation agenda,” Mr. Nkulukusa said.

The delegation will use the platform to intensify bilateral talks targeting mining, agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, renewable energy, and infrastructure public-private partnerships.

Key agenda items also include Zambia’s debt restructuring process, climate resilience, and financing along the Lobito Corridor under the Rome Process/Mattei Plan framework.

Mr. Nkulukusa emphasized that Zambia is “reform-oriented and investment-ready.”

The team will also join a high-level IFAD dialogue on agricultural transformation and food security, as well as governors’ discussions on the AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033).

“We are here to learn, benchmark, engage, and deepen partnerships. Our objective is to create opportunities that translate into jobs, productivity, and shared prosperity for our people,” Mr. Nkulukusa said.