By Dr. Elias Munshya
High Commissioner of Zambia to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific
I have returned to Canberra after what I consider a landmark economic diplomacy mission to Zambia. I had the honour of leading a delegation of AustMine Australian METS companies over the course of ten days. We explored partnerships in Zambia’s mining sector. These partnerships go beyond minerals and into the heart of mutual development.
This mission was born from our engagement at the AustMine’s Copper to the World Conference in 2024. It was the first of its kind. It brought together innovation from Australia and opportunity in Zambia. Through visits to Lumwana, Kansanshi, and KCM, and through dialogue at ZIMEC 2025, we communicated clearly: Zambia is not just open for business—we are ready for meaningful business partnerships.
What gave the mission depth were the human connections. From Ipalo Christian School, where I saw the impact of Australian generosity, to the Zambia Flying Doctor Service, which once airlifted my relatives from Milenge, this journey reminded me that diplomacy is personal. It is cultural. It is generational.
We honoured that truth with a courtesy call on Chief Hamusonde of Bweengwa. This engagement reminded us that tradition is not a relic of the past. Instead, it is a compass for responsible leadership.
Back in Canberra, we are already engaging in follow-up. We are nurturing investment leads, coordinating briefings, and preparing the groundwork for deeper institutional collaboration. This is the Zambia we represent: ambitious, hospitable, and driven by purpose.
Our work continues. Our flag is flying. And our mission remains—to tell Zambia’s story, strategically and proudly, on the world stage.
#EconomicDiplomacy #ZambiaAustraliaPartnership #MiningForGrowth #METS #ZIMEC2025 #CanberraToLusaka #ZambiaIsOpenForBusiness
