Zambia has signed a landmark $19 billion investment agreement with Qatar’s Al Mansour Holdings, one of the largest bilateral deals in the nation’s history.
The agreement spans several key sectors, including finance, housing, agriculture, mining, transport, telecommunications, and energy. Among the flagship initiatives are the creation of a national investment and development bank, reforms to strengthen the financial system, and the launch of state-backed investment platforms.
In infrastructure, the deal outlines ambitious plans to build 1.5 million homes and develop new smart cities, while agriculture projects will focus on boosting food security, irrigation, and agro-processing for local use and exports.
President Hakainde Hichilema described the deal as a “new chapter” in Zambia–Qatar relations, stressing the importance of rapid implementation and deeper cooperation in areas that support peace, stability, and sustainable growth.
The agreement comes at a crucial moment, as trade between the two countries dropped from $114.3 million in 2023 to just $30.8 million in 2024. Officials say the new partnership could help reverse this trend and restore confidence in Zambia as a hub for international investment.
