The Federal Republic of Germany has maintained diplomatic relations with Zambia since the latter gained independence on 24 October 1964.

Federal President Steinmeier went on a state visit to Zambia in November 2023, while President Hichilema visited Berlin shortly afterwards at the invitation of Federal Chancellor Scholz to take part in the G20 Compact with Africa Conference.

Zambia is a key partner country of German development cooperation. The main aims of the two countries’ bilateral development cooperation are to reduce poverty, promote good governance and improve social and political conditions. Human rights protection, gender equality, HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as environmental and resource protection are cross-cutting issues that affect all focal areas of this cooperation.

Business delegations visit Zambia regularly, for example representatives from the agricultural sector attend the annual Agritech trade fair. The country is very interested in German products, particularly machinery, vehicles and chemical products, as well as measurement, control and biometric technology, and holds them in high regard. Since 2016, a chamber of commerce office in Lusaka has also been fostering the development of bilateral business relations. In 2023, total German imports of goods from Zambia were worth approximately 56.8 million euro. In the same year, German exports to Zambia totalled some 62.4 million euro.

The German Government supports the work of several German NGOs and private-sector players in Zambia. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has an office in Lusaka and carries out socio-political measures in the country.

Germany’s cultural cooperation with Zambia focuses on sport, as well as on information trips to and training courses in Germany for Zambian politicians, officials, cultural workers and journalists.