Israel embarks on a diplomatic charm offensive in Africa

THE STATE of Israel last week embarked on a diplomatic charm offensive, with its president, Isaac Herzog, becoming the first leader to undertake a presidential visit to his Zambian counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema.

- KENNETH KGWADI

It was a historic bilateral and diplomatic session that aimed at strengthening working relations between the two countries. For Israel in the post-conflict between Israel and Hamas, it is important to strengthen ties with countries around the world, especially in Africa.

Israel views Africa as a strategic partner in security, economy, trading, agriculture, and other spheres. It shares geographic and historic features with Africa.

In 1958, Israel established formal diplomatic relations with Ghana under Kwame Nkrumah, which was in its early years of independence. Other African countries, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Uganda, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Gambia, followed suit.

The relations between Israel and African countries have been, at times, defined and shaped by the Israel-Palestine conflict.

There has been a change in political and diplomatic posture towards Israel by African countries over the years. For example, in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, about 25 African countries severed ties with Israel. Despite criticism of Israel by some, the country has maintained working relations with more than 40 African countries. These relations are continuing to improve daily, as we have witnessed the opening of the embassy in Lusaka, Zambia, around August 2025.