![Zambia [shutterstock]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zambia-e1555938528627-2500x1406.jpg)
International Travel Information
What you need to know before you go: visas, embassy & consulate locations, vaccinations, etc.
International Travel Information: Learn MoreHighlights
October 24, 2019
U.S. Relationship
U.S.-Zambia Relations
The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Zambia in 1964, following its independence from the United Kingdom. The country's primary challenges are to improve governance issues; promote broad-based, inclusive economic growth; maintain adherence to democratic and constitutional principles; reduce its debt; create employment; and develop its human capital. The U.S. and Zambia enjoy cordial relations. U.S. goals in Zambia include reducing widespread poverty and building and sustaining a democratic, well-governed country that contributes positively to regional stability. The U.S. works closely with the Zambian government to defeat the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is widespread but stabilizing in Zambia, to promote economic growth and development, and to bring about political reform by promoting democratic principles and a responsible and responsive government.
U.S. Assistance to Zambia
U.S. assistance to Zambia is robust, totaling close to $500 million annually. U.S. assistance fights HIV/AIDS; expands and improves the quality of health and education opportunities; strengthens democratic and accountable governance; provides clean water and improves sanitation; helps create trade and business development opportunities; and builds Zambian capacity to promote regional peace, security, and stability.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Zambia is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. U.S. exports to Zambia include vehicles, machinery, rubber, and electrical machinery. U.S. imports from Zambia include copper, cobalt, precious stones (emeralds), and food stuffs (coffee, tea, honey, and spices). The U.S. has signed a trade and investment framework agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, of which Zambia is a member.
![Zambia Flag: green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag; green stands for the country's natural resources and vegetation, red symbolizes the struggle for freedom, black the people of Zambia, and orange the country's mineral wealth; the eagle represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems [CIA World Fact Book]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/za-lgflag.gif){kind=small}