Zambia and Germany have concluded successful bilateral development cooperation talks in Berlin, with the German Government pledging over 1.8 billion Kwacha toward Zambia’s development agenda over the next two years.
The high-level Government-to-Government engagement reaffirmed the more than 60-year partnership between the two countries.
The Zambian delegation was led by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Mr. Mulele Mulele, while the German side was headed by Ms. Christine Toetzke, Director General at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The newly announced funding package, equivalent to 81.5 million Euros, will support key sectors including good governance, water and energy access.
Both governments have described the discussions as constructive and trustful, adding that the partnership remains anchored on democracy, the rule of law, and the promotion of human rights.
Meanwhile, Zambia and Germany also held their first-ever Business Day ahead of the negotiations, aimed at increasing private sector participation in development cooperation.
Among the highlights was the recent groundbreaking ceremony for a new technical training centre in Chongwe, jointly funded by the German Government and German company Liebherr Zambia Limited at a cost of nearly 4 million Euros.
Speaking during the talks, German official Christine Toetzke reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s reform agenda and improving the lives of citizens.
And Zambia’s Permanent Secretary Mr. Mulele Mulele said the country is moving away from the traditional donor-recipient relationship towards a partnership built on shared responsibility, accountability, and sustainable investment-led growth.
“Zambia and Germany can together build a partnership that contributes to global stability, sustainability, and shared prosperity,” he said”.
This is according to a press Release made available to One Love Radio by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Zambia.
By: Kondwani Mapulanga
Lusaka
