Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has confirmed that he recently met with Donald Trump Jr., who is in the country on a private vacation. The meeting has sparked interest across the continent, coming just as the United States announced it will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa.
Hichilema shared that Trump Jr. had been enjoying Zambia’s natural beauty during his visit. He added that he passed along warm greetings to the US president and reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the United States.
The timing of the encounter has drawn attention. The G20 summit in Johannesburg — the first to be hosted on African soil — begins in a few days, and Washington’s decision to skip the event has been described by analysts as a diplomatic setback for South Africa. Officials in Pretoria have insisted that the summit will continue as planned, with full participation from the rest of the member states.
Hichilema, who has maintained a balanced approach to both regional and Western partners, appears to have used the meeting with Trump Jr. as an opportunity to emphasize Zambia’s openness to international engagement. As South Africa navigates the politics surrounding its G20 presidency, Zambia has quietly presented itself as a stable and welcoming partner for tourism, investment, and diplomatic ties.
Political observers say that Trump Jr.’s vacation — and Hichilema’s public acknowledgment of it — could serve as a subtle form of soft diplomacy, highlighting Zambia’s confidence and growing visibility in the region.
The upcoming G20 discussions are expected to focus on major global issues such as energy transition, trade reforms, and debt relief for developing economies. Whether the absence of the United States will influence the outcome of the summit remains uncertain.