Zambia is represented at the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting by its Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, rather than by the President. Zambia Monitor reported on Monday 2 November that Haimbe had arrived in Antigua and Barbuda, where the summit runs from Sunday 1 to Wednesday 4 November under the theme of accelerating partnerships and investment for a prosperous Commonwealth.
The Ministry set out its reasons in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday by its spokesperson, Eva Chanda, reported by both Zambia Monitor and Open Zambia. Attendance, it said, reflects Zambia's commitment to multilateral cooperation, economic diplomacy, and peace, security and democracy. The practical aim is to advance the government's Grow Zambia Agenda by presenting the country as an investment destination, widening access to markets and seeking development financing, and by holding bilateral meetings on the margins with member states and international partners.
The minister's programme
Haimbe is due at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting and at the 75th session of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, where Zambia currently holds the Vice-Chair. Other members of the delegation are to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum and side events on youth, gender, health, climate and people-centred development, and the statement said Zambia would contribute African perspectives on global economic governance, climate financing, trade, peace and security, democratic governance and inclusive development.
One specific ask travels with the delegation: Zambia's bid to host the Commonwealth Youth Centre once more. Both reports note that the bilateral meetings are intended partly to build support for that bid alongside trade and investment.
Neither report records a reason for the President's absence; the Ministry's statement, as reported, addressed what the delegation will do rather than who is not there.
Sources: Zambia Monitor, “Why Zambia is attending Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting” (2 Nov 2026); Open Zambia, “Haimbe represents Hichilema at Commonwealth summit as Zambia pursues trade and investment partnerships” (2 Nov 2026).