LUSAKA, Zambia

The presidents of Zambia and Malawi on Tuesday vowed to build stronger trade and investment ties between the two Southern African countries.

Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema and Malawi’s Lazarous Chakwera agreed to expedite work at the Mwami-Muchinji border crossing between the two countries as a conduit for enhanced trade.

Addressing a joint press conference at State House in the Malawian capital Lilongwe at the end of a one-day working visit, Hichilema called for cordial ties and mutual respect between the peoples of the two countries.

“Zambia and Malawi are only divided by artificial borders, but its peoples are one,” Hichilema said.

“In order to realize this, President Chakwera and I committed to fostering peace, unity, and democracy for development between the two nations and for the greater good of its people.”

Chakwera, who is also chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), expressed gratitude to Hichilema for visiting and his assurances in areas of trade and investment opportunities for the two countries.

Echoing the view that Zambia and Malawi are one, he said Hichilema’s election this August was confirmation of the Zambian people’s desire to set the country on a positive path.

Hichilema later tweeted that the leaders’ talks also centered on agriculture, education, health, and trade and investment opportunities.