Zambia-Iran Foreign Relations

Economic Relationship:

Zambian Minister of Energy and Water Development George Mpombo confirmed that officials concluded a crude oil trade agreement with Iranian state-owned NAFITAN Inter-Trade Company in early 2004.[1] The deal consigned 90,000 metric tons of crude oil from Iran to Zambia each month.[2] The Zambian State News Agency added that this oil agreement would reduce the price of fuel in Zambia by cutting out intermediary companies and dealing government-to-government.[3]

In 2005, President Levy Patric Mwanawasa indicated Zambia’s interest in expansion of ties with Iran.[4] Mr. Mwanawasa met with Iranian Ambassador to Zambia Hamid Moayyer where they discussed Iran’s interest in development projects and increased presence of Iranian businesses in the country. [5]

Diplomatic/Military Relationship:

In 2001, Zambia and Iran first signaled their willingness to resume diplomatic relations which were severed in 1993.[6] The 1993 détente was precipitated by Zambian accusations that Iran funded the Zambian opposition United National Independence Party (UNIP) to topple the Cheloopa regime, an allegation that both Iran and the UNIP denied.[7] The stand-off ended in July 2001 when both countries released a joint comminque announcing their intention to resume ties at the ambassadorial level.[8] By 2003, the Zambian president sent then Iranian President Mohammad Khatami a letter encouraging the expansion of bilateral relations between Iran and Zambia.[9]

While attending the 2008 funeral of the late Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs Reza Baqeri conferred with Zambian Foreign Minister Kabinga Pande on broadening cooperation in health care, medical, agriculture, food, energy, and oil sectors.[10] The Zambian foreign minister welcomed the Iranian proposal to establish a political committee at deputy foreign ministers level and promised to allocate space for the construction of a medical center for Iran's Red Crescent society in Zambia.[11]