The Zambian Italian bilateral agreement for investment promotion and protection which was signed on April 30, 2003 entered into force on February 12, 2014.
In April 2015 a "Memorandum of Intent" was signed for collaboration between the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Abruzzo and Molise of Teramo and the Central Veterinary Research Institute of Chilanga which gave rise to programs of considerable importance for the field of animal breeding in Zambia.
In February 2018, the Embassy and the State University of Zambia (UNZA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of teaching the Italian language at the University but the MoU served also to establish other cultural collaborations such as activities for the Celebrations of the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death in November 2019 at UNZA Classrooms and the participation of students from different faculties in the cultural Webinars promoted by the Embassy at the ZICC.
The Memorandum of Understanding between MATTM and the Zambian Ministry of Planning and National Development was signed in Rome on November 30, 2018, with a five-year validity (therefore expiring in November 2023). It is a MoU very appreciated by the Zambian side and It offers a lot of visibility to our country.
The bilateral MoU mentioned has become operational: the first meeting of the Joint Committee established by the MoU was held on 17 September 2020 in digital format. Three projects have been proposed by Zambians who are currently under discussion with MATTM for the related funding for a total of about 3.5 million euros (the three projects are: 1. Tilapia Cage farming on Lake Mweru; 2. Upgrade of the Lundazi Green Village Project – Magodi Solar Photovoltaic mini-grid; 3. Project of scaling up of reduction of emissions from health sector in Lusaka Province and Lundazi District in Eastern Province).
MATTM expressed an interest in early August 2016 to conclude a MoU also with MALAWI. On the Italian side, therefore, a draft MoU has been submitted but, so far, there are no reaction from Malawi. The problem appears to be the lack of technical capacity on Malawian Authorities to manage a MoU operationally. However, politically, the new 2020 course inaugurated by President Chakwera seems to be supported, so we could try again to call for a redisconception about Malawi's interest in finalising a MoU in environmental matters.
