England’s Prince Harry says the private sector remains a catalyst towards ending poverty in Zambia.

Speaking during his first official visit to Zambia at the British High Commission’s Residence in Lusaka, Monday evening, the Duke of Sussex emphasized that Zambia’s private sector remained an effective means towards reducing poverty in the country.

Prince Harry, who is sixth in line to the British throne, also extoled Zambia’s historic ties with Britain, hailing the evolving relationship, which stems from the colonial era to the present day.

“My grandmother, Her Majesty the Queen (Elizabeth II), visited this country in 1979 at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and since then, the friendship between Britain and Zambia has remained strong. Britain is Zambia’s oldest relationship; it is one that has thrived over the past 54 years, and it continues to evolve; from the UK’s development assistance to growing mutually-beneficial trade and investments,” Prince Harry said.

“The British Chamber of Commerce is an exemplary of that; the Chamber, working together with the British High Commission, has launched an effort to contribute to Zambia’s economic development making it easier to do business in Zambia and encouraging more British companies to trade and invest here. There are many well-established British companies here already, and more are arriving. By creating jobs and wealth, the private sector is a catalyst to ending poverty.”

He noted that Zambia’s natural assets could bring about prosperity if harnessed properly.

“Zambia also boasts an impressive portfolio of natural assets, from extraordinary precious ecosystems to natural resources; both of which harnessed responsibly and sustainably, will bring prosperity to the entire country,” he said.

He reiterated his commitment towards helping young people across the Commonwealth fulfil their potential.

“Over the past year, I have had the honour of taking on two new roles that are dear to my heart. As president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and as Her Majesty’s Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, I am committed to celebrating young people across the Commonwealth who are making a difference in their communities. The goal is to create a platform, not only where young people’s voices are heard, but where they are supported in achieving their goals, and I am excited to see some of that action tomorrow (Tuesday) at Circus Zambia,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry is expected to travel to Kafue National Park after completing his scheduled engagements in Lusaka.

“Following on from my visit in Lusaka, I will travel to Kafue National Park to attend a board meeting of African Parks of which I am very privileged to be president; it is cause-driven work that is very close to my heart and having a truly remarkable impact. African Parks has been working together with the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife and other partners for more than a decade in the Bangweulu Wetlands and Liuwa Plains. These parks have become exceptional examples of how people and wildlife can co-exist and benefit in a shared landscape,” said Prince Harry.

On Monday, the Duke of Sussex paid a courtesy visit to President Lungu at State House where he pledged to help Zambia acquire hundreds of elephants from Botswana for the Kafue National Park in a quest to double the number of tourists to Zambia by 2030.