Ambassador of Ireland to Zambia

I am pleased to welcome you to the website of the Embassy of Ireland in Zambia. Here you will find the latest news about our work, clear information on consular services, and updates and insights into Ireland’s partnership with Zambia.

As of September 2025, I have the honour to serve as Ireland’s Ambassador to the Republic of Zambia. With my wife Niamh we look forward to strengthening the longstanding relationship between our two nations. Since the first opening of an Irish development office in Lusaka more than 40 years ago, and our opening of the Embassy in 2006, our bilateral ties have continued to grow. Ireland has demonstrated an unfaltering commitment to development cooperation and consistent political engagement, grounded in shared values and mutual interests.

Yet, the bonds between the people of Ireland and of Zambia extend back before Zambia’s Independence. While in 2024 we celebrated more than 60 years of partnership our people to people relationship has a longer history. Through important friendships, close collaboration, and many shared experiences Irish citizens have continually played an important role in supporting Zambia’s progress. In particular hundreds of Irish missionaries have made significant contributions, mainly in the areas of education and healthcare since the 1930s.

In November 1964, during a state visit to Ireland, Zambia’s first President, His Excellency President Kenneth Kaunda delivered a televised address to the people of Ireland. In his speech he invited people to come to Zambia to support its development – many responded to that call, with a new wave of Irish people moving to and contributing to Zambia’s development journey in the late 1960s and into the 1970s and 1980s. More recently we have seen a reversal, with a growing number of Zambians choosing to make Ireland their home, thereby further enriching the deep friendship between our two countries.

Today, our relationship rests on the principles of partnership, respect, and openness. Taking a multilateral approach, through cooperation with the Government of Zambia, the EU, the UN system, as well as local and international NGOs and civil society, Ireland is focused on promoting gender equality, good governance, human rights, peace and security. We are also committed to address the challenges of climate change through building the resilience of communities across Zambia to climatic and other shocks. There are also opportunities for further partnerships in the areas of technology and solar energy, both critical areas to our economies and society. The Embassy is also accredited to the Republic of Namibia and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and our approach to engagement is similarly informed by Ireland’s multilateral values and our commitment to partnership and development cooperation.

Here at the Embassy my team and I are committed to continue to serve the Irish community in Zambia, recognising its dynamism and its continued significant contribution to our collective efforts to support the country on its continued journey towards prosperity.

My wife Niamh and I look forward to hosting cultural and social events that will foster deeper cultural exchanges and that will continue to expand our people to people connections, a cornerstone of the long and lasting friendship between Ireland and Zambia.

We encourage all Irish citizens to register with the Embassy for important updates and events information. Please also consider following us on our Facebook and X pages to receive updates on all the work of the Embassy, and if you wish to get in touch please contact us via our website.

His Excellency Mr. Aidan Fitzpatrick
Ambassador of Ireland to Zambia