Nigeria-Zambia Bilateral Relations: Trade, Investment and Aviation

Nigeria and Zambia are seeking to deepen bilateral relations, with trade, investment, aviation, tourism, technology and other sectors identified as areas for stronger cooperation.

The development followed the presentation of Letters of Credence by Nigeria’s new High Commissioner to Zambia, Ambassador Queen Efe Alexandra Clark-Omeru, to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka.

The presentation formally marked the beginning of Clark-Omeru’s diplomatic assignment in Zambia, according to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Economic cooperation takes centre stage

During the engagement, Nigeria expressed readiness to strengthen its relationship with Zambia through existing agreements and new partnerships.

The areas identified include agriculture, mining and solid minerals, trade and investment, education, tourism, the creative economy, science and technology, as well as the deployment of volunteers through Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps Scheme.

The emphasis on trade and investment comes as both countries seek to translate their diplomatic relationship into more practical economic partnerships.

President Hichilema highlighted Zambia’s focus on economic diplomacy under its Grow Zambia Agenda. He called on diplomats to help increase investment, trade, tourism and international economic partnerships.

He also stressed the importance of turning diplomatic relationships into concrete projects and deliverables.

Nigeria seeks stronger business links

The Zambian president called for stronger government-to-government, business-to-business and people-to-people relationships.

Technology and local value addition were among the areas he highlighted, while he also pointed to the importance of affordable access to capital for economic development.

Clark-Omeru, meanwhile, highlighted the contribution of Nigerian companies and professionals operating in Zambia.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry specifically identified businesses including Dangote Cement, Access Bank Zambia, United Bank for Africa Zambia and Sahara Group among Nigerian companies with a presence in the country.

The engagement therefore places Nigeria’s private sector and Nigerian businesses operating in Zambia within the broader diplomatic relationship.

Aviation identified as another opportunity

Improving air connectivity between Nigeria and Zambia was another issue raised during the discussions.

Clark-Omeru conveyed Nigeria’s interest in exploring a Bilateral Air Services Agreement, commonly known as BASA, that could provide a framework for direct air connectivity between the two countries.

Improved connectivity could support business travel, tourism, investment and movement between the two countries. However, the current discussions should not be interpreted as confirmation that a BASA has already been concluded.

Vanguard separately reported that Clark-Omeru indicated she would engage Air Peace and other Nigerian airline operators about possible options for strengthening aviation links.

Zambia highlights intra-African trade

Hichilema also reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area and stronger intra-African trade.

For Nigeria and Zambia, closer commercial relations could therefore extend beyond bilateral trade into wider African market opportunities.

The two countries have existing diplomatic ties built around shared interests and broader African cooperation. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the latest engagement was intended to build on those longstanding relations.

What happens next

The latest engagement establishes areas in which both sides want to expand cooperation, but the practical outcome will depend on follow-up negotiations, agreements and private-sector activity.

The proposed aviation framework, for example, would require further government and industry engagement before any new direct air service could be established.

Similarly, identifying sectors such as mining, agriculture, technology and investment as priorities does not itself constitute a new commercial agreement.

For Nigeria, the diplomatic assignment provides an opportunity to strengthen economic and people-to-people ties with Zambia while supporting Nigerian companies and citizens already operating there.

For Zambia, the engagement comes alongside President Hichilema’s stated emphasis on economic diplomacy, investment and stronger international partnerships.

The immediate focus will therefore be on whether the areas identified during the diplomatic engagement translate into concrete projects, investment activity, trade opportunities and stronger connectivity between the two countries.