List of international presidential trips made by Edgar Lungu

Edgar Lungu (11 November 1956 – 5 June 2025) was a Zambian politician who served as the sixth President of Zambia from 26 January 2015 to 24 August 2021. He became president following the death of his predecessor Michael Sata and won the 2015 Zambian presidential election. He was re-elected in the 2016 Zambian general election but lost re-election in the 2021 Zambian general election to Hakainde Hichilema.

Lungu's frequent international trips attracted criticism from opposition parties and some commentators, who argued that they were excessive during a period of economic difficulty in Zambia. The government defended the travels, with Information Minister Dora Siliya stating that "traveling is part of the President's job description" and that the trips were necessary to attract investors.

The following is a list of international presidential trips made by Edgar Lungu during his presidency.

Summary of international trips Edgar Lungu has made several foreign trips during his tenure, mainly with a focus in the Southern African region.

Number of visitsCountry1 visitEgypt, France, Ghana, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Republic of the Congo, Vatican City2 visitsBotswana, China, Equatorial Guinea, Malawi, Swaziland (Eswatini), Tanzania, Zimbabwe3+ visitsAngola, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, United States

2015 CountryAreas visitedDate(s)Purpose(s)NotesAddis Ababa30 January – 1 February24th African Union summitDetailsThis was Edgar Lungu's first foreign trip and he attended the 24th AU summit. Lungu held talks on the sidelines with various leaders from the AU, United Nations and United States. Harare6 FebruaryState VisitDetailsLungu held bilateral talks with Robert Mugabe and attended the ceremonial lunch after Mugabe was elected the head of the African Union. Luanda13 – 14 FebruaryState VisitDetailsLungu is invited by José Eduardo dos Santos to commission the new road between Zambia and Angola. Pretoria25 February State VisitDetailsLungu visits South African counterpart Jacob Zuma for a one-day state visit upon the invitation of South Africa. Both president held talks and Zuma reaffirmed Lungu that South Africa would support the new presidency of the Patriotic Front. Johannesburg10 – 13 MarchMedical TreatmentDetailsLungu is flown to South Africa for medical treatment after he collapsed at an event during his speech. Though the state denied he was in serious condition, he was flown to Johannesburg. His doctors concluded he needed throat surgery. Maputo, Nacala18 – 19 MarchState VisitDetailsLungu conducts a two-day state visit where, bilateral agreements between the two countries in terms of trade and energy are signed. Lungu along with Nyusi inaugurate the Nacala Hydro Power sub-station. Lungu also inspects the Nacala Port. Lungu is also part of the inauguration of the Karpowership. Windhoek21 MarchInauguration of Hage GeingobDetailsLungu attended the Inauguration of Hage Geingob. Beijing29 March – 1 AprilState VisitDetailsThis is Lungu's first trip outside Africa. Lungu held bilateral talks with various Chinese ministers and Xi Jinping. Various loan and investment agreements were made between the two countries in trade and infrastructure. Harare29 April – 1 MaySouthern African Development Community summitDetailsLungu attended the Southern African Development community summit. Before the summit, Lungu held bilateral talks with Robert Mugabe. Lungu address the heads of state of the SADC community on 29 April. Lungu also officially opened the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair on 1 May. Luanda18 MayExtraordinary summit of the International Conference of the Great Lakes RegionDetailsLungu attended the summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. The 2015 Burundian coup d'état attempt and the rise of terrorism in Kenya was the focus of the conference. Maputo26 JuneMozambique Independence CelebrationsDetailsLungu attended the 40th independence day celebrations along with various leaders from the Southern African Development Community. Kampala23 – 25 JulyState VisitDetailsLungu visited Uganda upon invitation by Yoweri Museveni. Various topics were discussed ranging from education, industry and foreign relations. Blantyre8 – 9 AugustState VisitDetailsThis was lungu's first visit to Malawi. Lungu attends Malawi's 51st Independence day celebrations. Lungu also hold bilateral talks facilitating trade and transport of goods in the region between the two countries. Gaborone17 – 18 August35th SADC Heads of State and Government SummitDetailsLungu attended the 35th SADC Heads of State summit along with 14 other heads of state. The theme of the summit was 'Accelerating Industrialization of the SADC economies through transformation of natural endowments and improved human capital.' Windhoek, Walvis Bay25 – 27 AugustState VisitDetailsLungu conducted his first state visit to Namibia and also officiated the Hero's day celebrations. Lungu also extended his trip by a day to visit Walvis Bay to inspect the port and Zambia dry port at Walvis Bay. New York City27 September – 1 October70th session of the United Nations General AssemblyDetailsThis was the first time Lungu addressed the United Nations as the president of Zambia. There was controversy with this trip as the president's office chartered a $400,000 plane to transport the president and his dignitaries to the United States. Dar es Salaam5 NovemberInauguration of John MagufuliDetailsLungu attends inauguration of the new president of Tanzania, John Magufuli along with various heads of state. Johannesburg4 – 5 DecemberChina-Africa summitDetailsLungu attends the China-Africa forum in South Africa. Lungu also officiated the Zambia-South Africa business forum.

2016

First Term CountryAreas visitedDate(s)Purpose(s)NotesWindhoek15 JanuaryCommittee of Ten SummitDetailsLungu attends the Committee of Ten summit along with four other heads of state. Lungu also held bilateral talks with the President of Namibia. Addis Ababa29 – 31 January26th ordinary session of the African Union Heads of State summitDetailsLungu Attends the 26th ordinary session of the African Union Heads of State summit. The summit was on peace and security and also talked about the introduction of an African passport. Rome4 – 6 FebruaryState VisitDetailsLungu held bilateral talks with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Rome. The president also met with the Zambian diaspora living in Italy. The president arrived in Italy to conduct his one-day visit to the Vatican. Vatican City5 FebruaryState VisitDetailsLungu held talks with Pope Francis and discussed the involvement of the catholic church in Zambia. President Lungu also received a tour of the St. Peter's Basilica. Paris7 – 11 FebruaryState VisitDetailsLungu was invited by French President François Hollande for a state visit. Lungu attended mass in Paris before conducting the official state visit. President Lungu attended a lunch session held for the Zambian diaspora living in France and latter addressed the French business community to invest in Zambia. Lungu also visited the Élysée Palace to hold talks with the French president. Lungu also gave an interview on France 24 and Radio France Internationale. Lilongwe25 AprilBilateral TalksDetailsLungu visit Malawi for a 5-hour meeting between president of Malawi, Peter Mutharika and president of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi. The meeting was a closed door meeting regarding food insecurity, cross-border water transport and refugees in the region. The presidents also discuss the Shire-Zambezi waterway project to help transport in the region. Kampala11 May – 12 MayInauguration of Yoweri MuseveniDetailsLungu attended the inauguration of Yoweri Museveni. On the sidelines of the event trade talks between Zambia and Uganda in the COMESA region was discussed. 4 July40th anniversary of Operation EntebbeDetailsLungu attends the 40th anniversary of Operation Entebbe conducted by Israel in 1976. The event is attended by Yoweri Museveni and Benjamin Netanyahu.

Second Term The following international trips were made by Edgar Lungu in 2016 after being inaugurated on 13 September 2016.

CountryAreas visitedDate(s)Purpose(s)NotesNew York City16 – 21 SeptemberSeventy-first session of the United Nations General AssemblyDetailsThis is the first visit by Edgar Lungu after he was inaugurated on 13 September 2016. Lungu attends the 71st session of the UN general assembly. Lungu delivered a speech regarding the "Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants." He also co-chaired the second Round Table session. Lungu also signs the Paris Agreement to append Zambia into list of countries working towards securing climate change. Antananarivo19 – 20 October19th COMESA summitDetailsLungu attended the 19th COMESA summit along with various leaders and dignitaries from member states. President Lungu held talks on the sidelines with Hery Rajaonarimampianina, the President of Madagascar. Moreover, the president also held talks with Ibrahim Mahab, special envoy from Egypt, with regards to special public private partnerships in construction between the two countries. Luanda26 OctoberInternational Conference on the Great Lakes RegionDetailsLungu attended the Great Lakes Regional summit in Lunda Angola. The main focus of the conference was election situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Marrakesh14 – 18 NovemberUnited Nations Climate Change conferenceDetailsLungu attended the COP22 conference on climate change. Malabo22 – 25 November4th Africa-Arab SummitDetailsLungu attends the 4th annual Africa-Arab summit in Malabo. Lungu held bilateral talks with diplomats from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Dar es Salaam27 – 29 NovemberState VisitDetailsLungu made a 2-day state visit to rekindle relations with Tanzania. Various bilateral agreements were signed with respect to trade, transport, prisoner exchange and other diplomatic processes. Lungu was received at the airport by president of Tanzania, John Magufuli. Lungu visited the TAZARA Railway station and vowed to help revive the railway to its former glory. Lungu also visited the office of the Tazama Pipeline and also vowed to improve its efficiency. Johannesburg7 – 9 December State VisitDetailsLungu made a 2-day state visit to johannesburg to participate in the South Africa-Zambia business forum. Lungu also signed MOUs with Russian state atomic energy firm Rosatom with regards to setting up nuclear energy power plants in Zambia.

2017 The following is a list of international presidential trips made by Lungu in 2017.