President Hichilema revealed yesterday, on X, that a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed with ZTE to construct the factory.

International telecoms manufacturer ZTE plans to open a smartphone plant in Zambia, according to the country's president, Hakainde Hichilema.

Hichilema revealed yesterday, on X, that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed with ZTE to construct the factory.

The Zambian president, who is in China on a state visit, said: “Our last engagement in Shenzhen was at ZTE, a leading global ICT solutions provider. Signed an MOU to set up a smartphone assembly plant in Zambia. This’ll be a game changer that brings many jobs, as we increase digital solutions to citizens through our e-govt division.”

During the state visit to China, Zambia has signed numerous MoUs with Chinese-based ICT companies.

President Hichilema said this comes after realising the need to swiftly develop Zambia's digital space, as part of his administration's smart economic transformation plan.

He believes that the agreements will help Zambia become fully digital, which will benefit everyone, particularly rural communities.

“We encouraged them to consider opportunities in Zambia for digital platforms, as we push to transform our country into a modern economy through tech advancement,” Hichilema said.

In Zambia, Chinese ambassador Du Xiaohui said the two countries were writing a new chapter in their ‘all-weather’ ties.

“The two heads of state jointly drew up a new blueprint for the development of China-Zambia relations, which will have a lasting and far-reaching impact on bilateral relations,” the envoy stated.

Zambia was the first country in Southern Africa to establish diplomatic relations with China, in 1964.

China-Zambia bilateral trade volume reached a new high of $6.73 billion in 2022, a 30% rise year on year.

“China-Zambia relations stand at a new starting point,” Xiaohui said.