Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on winning a second term and said Cairo wants closer cooperation with Zambia.
Key takeaways
- El-Sisi congratulated Hichilema following his victory in Zambia’s 13 August 2026 General Election.
- The Egyptian president said the result reflected the confidence Zambians had placed in Hichilema’s leadership.
- Cairo expects Zambia to continue pursuing development, stability and better living standards during Hichilema’s second term.
- Egypt wants to expand bilateral cooperation, building on political and commercial ties discussed by the two leaders in 2025.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election, describing the vote as a sign of public confidence in the Zambian leader. Hichilema was declared the winner of the 13 August election and secured a second five-year term.
In a congratulatory message supplied to The Zambian Economist, El-Sisi also congratulated the Zambian people and said Egypt was ready to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
El-Sisi links the result to Hichilema’s development record
El-Sisi said the election outcome reflected the strong confidence Zambians had placed in Hichilema. He presented the result as recognition of Hichilema’s role in directing Zambia’s development programme during his first term.
The Egyptian president expressed confidence that Zambia would continue to enjoy prosperity and stability, with improved welfare under Hichilema’s leadership. The message did not announce a new agreement or financing package.
Why Zambia-Egypt relations matter
The two governments already have an active diplomatic and economic agenda. During Hichilema’s visit to Cairo in February 2025, the presidents held talks at Al-Ittihadiya Palace and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements. The Egyptian presidency said their discussions covered political, economic, social and development cooperation.
El-Sisi’s public remarks at the time also referred to investment opportunities, the Egyptian-Zambian Business Forum and the use of regional trade frameworks, including COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area. Those channels give both governments an existing route for turning diplomatic ties into business activity.
What could deeper cooperation mean for Zambian business?
For Zambian companies, the practical measure will be whether the political goodwill produces clearer opportunities for trade, joint ventures, investment and skills transfer. Egypt has previously said it wants to raise bilateral trade, explore investment opportunities and provide capacity-building support in Zambia.
No fresh commercial commitments were included in the congratulatory message. Businesses should therefore treat it as a signal of continuity, not as evidence that a specific contract or funding programme has been approved.
The strongest near-term prospects are likely to come through the agreements and business contacts already established by the two governments. Delivery will depend on follow-up by ministries, investment agencies and private-sector partners in both countries.
A second-term diplomatic signal
El-Sisi’s message adds Egypt to the governments that have recognised Hichilema’s renewed mandate and expressed an interest in maintaining close ties with Lusaka. The Zambian presidency said Hichilema secured a second five-year term following the 13 August vote.
For Zambia’s foreign economic policy, the important test will come after the congratulations: whether established partners convert goodwill into projects that expand trade, investment and employment. Egypt’s message keeps that door open.
Related coverage
- Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa congratulates Hichilema on re-election
- India’s Modi congratulates Hichilema and pledges stronger Zambia ties
- Hichilema’s second term: what it means for Zambia’s economy, markets and diplomacy
- Explore the Economic Diplomacy and Election 2026 Economics hubs.
Sources and further reading
- Presidency of Egypt: El-Sisi holds talks with Hichilema, 24 February 2025
- Presidency of Egypt: El-Sisi meets Hichilema in Lusaka, 8 June 2023
- State House: Hichilema secures a second term
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