Zambia Secures US$19 Billion MoU with Qatar

On 18 August 2025, Zambia and Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering 11 areas of cooperation across various sectors, valued at US$19 billion.

The agreement spans sectors including energy and oil, banking and finance, housing and urban development, agriculture and food security, mining and minerals, logistics and infrastructure, along with telecommunications, health and education, tourism, and industrial development. The deal is projected to drive investment and job creation while delivering direct benefits to Zambian citizens.

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the State of Qatar, through Al Mansour Holdings, signed the MoU on behalf of the two countries.

President Hakainde Hichilema and the Chairman of Al Mansour Group, Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, witnessed the signing and the joint statement. 

President Hichilema welcomed the agreement, noting that bilateral relations with Qatar had been formalised through this comprehensive agreement. He emphasised the need to develop an implementation plan to ensure the realisation of the cooperation areas.

President Hichilema also urged Qatar to prioritise investment in Zambia’s energy sector. He stressed that both the government and the people of Zambia fully support the partnership, which stems from his previous visit in 2023.

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Rodney Sikumba, also expressed his appreciation for the cultural ties shared between Zambia and Qatar, emphasising that the President’s visits are yielding tangible results.

“Zambia and the State of Qatar have enjoyed warm relations for some time, which can be attributed to the President’s visit in 2023,” he stated.

Al Mansour Holdings Chairman Nidal Ammache stated that Qatar is committed to investing in African countries, particularly Zambia. He highlighted the company’s technical expertise and its determination to support Zambia’s development across key sectors.

A joint steering committee will oversee implementation to ensure the agreement aligns with Zambia’s economic reform agenda and long-term industrial growth strategy.