Zambia now shifts to growth

President sets second-term agenda focused on jobs, investment, wealth creation and economic opportunities for all Zambians

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 -1-09-2026 — PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has declared that Zambia is now moving from economic stabilisation to growth, setting out a second-term agenda focused on creating jobs, expanding investment, increasing production and ensuring that economic gains translate into better lives for ordinary citizens.

President Hichilema says the next five years will focus on expanding economic opportunities, creating jobs, generating wealth, increasing investment and improving the wellbeing of Zambians, building on the economic foundation laid during his first term.

Addressing the nation after taking the oath of office, President Hichilema said his renewed mandate belonged to all Zambians and carried the responsibility to build a more prosperous, united and stable country.

He thanked God and the Zambian people for exercising their constitutional right to vote, saying citizens had demonstrated their commitment to democracy by turning up to vote, waiting in queues and participating in the electoral process.

President Hichilema also thanked those who voted for him and his party for placing their trust in his leadership.

But he said those who voted for other candidates and political parties must also be respected.

“Democracy does not require us to agree on everything. It requires us to respect one another, even when we disagree,” President Hichilema said.

He said political choices should not divide Zambians because citizens remained one people with a shared interest in seeing the country develop.

The President thanked his wife, children and wider family for their sacrifice, patience, encouragement and support throughout his political journey.

He also thanked Vice-President Mutale Nalumango for her support and recognised members of the United Party for National Development, National Assembly, campaign teams, volunteers, supporters and other partners who contributed to his re-election.

He said their hard work and commitment had contributed to the victory.

President Hichilema, however, cautioned his supporters against triumphalism, provocation or mistreatment of people who supported other political parties.

He reminded them that political opponents should not be treated as enemies.

“The person who voted against us is not our enemy. He is our brother. She is our sister. They are fellow Zambians,” he said.

He urged his supporters to respect political differences and show through their conduct the kind of Zambia they wanted to build.

President Hichilema recognised the contribution of churches, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders to peace, unity and democratic participation before, during and after the elections.

He thanked local and international cooperating partners, election observers, party agents and other stakeholders who took part in the electoral process.

He said the elections had shown the importance of respecting political differences and resolving disagreements peacefully.

The President also thanked heads of state and government, foreign dignitaries, regional and international organisations, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests who attended his inauguration.

He said their presence showed the close ties Zambia maintained with other countries and international organisations.

President Hichilema said Zambia would continue strengthening these relationships and expanding cooperation in areas that benefit both Zambia and its partners.

President Hichilema said the work done during his first term had provided the foundation for the economic programme he intends to pursue over the next five years.

He said his administration spent the first term dealing with an economy that had been under considerable pressure and putting measures in place to restore stability.

Among the achievements he highlighted was the restructuring of Zambia’s external debt, which he described as a difficult process that had nevertheless been completed.

He also pointed to increased international reserves, saying they had reached their highest level since independence.

According to the President, inflation had been brought down to its lowest level in eight to nine years, while investor confidence had improved.

He said the relative stability of the Kwacha had also made it easier for individuals and businesses to plan, manage their finances and make investment decisions.

President Hichilema acknowledged that some of the economic reforms had been difficult for citizens but said the results were beginning to show.

“We have always said reforms have delivered for us and we want them to continue delivering positive results for our people,” he said.

President Hichilema cited free education as another major achievement of his first term.

He said the policy had moved from an election promise to reality and had subsequently been protected by law.

He said legislation had established the right of Zambian children to education regardless of their background.

President Hichilema said one of the results had been the return to school of children who had reached school-going age but had previously remained outside the education system.

He said 2.6 million children had been brought back into school.

The President also pointed to increased resources being channelled through the Constituency Development Fund, saying development resources were now reaching communities and allowing local priorities to receive greater attention.

He said social protection programmes had also been expanded to cover more vulnerable citizens across the country.

President Hichilema said the rule of law had also been restored, stressing that development could not be sustained without peace, security and stability.

He said his administration had improved access to information and widened public participation in governance.

The President cited the introduction of proportional representation as a major reform that had increased opportunities for women, young people and persons with disabilities to participate in the National Assembly and local authorities.

He also said government had transferred functions, resources and decision-making to local authorities as part of efforts to bring government closer to communities.

President Hichilema said the progress made during the first term had given Zambia a platform from which to pursue faster economic growth.

“We are moving from stabilisation to growth,” he said.

He acknowledged that many families were still struggling with the cost of living and that economic stabilisation had not yet translated into better conditions for everyone.

He said government was aware of these concerns.

“We hear you, citizens of Zambia. We are listening attentively,” President Hichilema said.

He said economic stability must now result in practical improvements in the lives of households across the country.

According to the President, the next five years would therefore focus on growth, expansion, opportunity and prosperity.

He said government would build on the economic reforms implemented during the first term and introduce further measures to expand economic activity.

President Hichilema said the private sector would continue to play a central role in creating jobs and growing the economy.

He said Zambia could not deal with poverty simply by sharing limited resources and therefore needed to concentrate on creating wealth.

“It is true that you cannot share poverty. This is not possible. And therefore we have to do something to address wealth creation,” he said.

He said government would focus on creating conditions that allow citizens to earn more, grow their businesses, reinvest and contribute to the economy.

President Hichilema said Zambia would grow and diversify its mining industry while speeding up development in agriculture, tourism and other productive sectors.

He said infrastructure development and industrial transformation would also receive greater attention.

The President said government would continue changing institutions and systems that had held back economic development over the years.

He said government knew where some of the obstacles to investment and production were and would move to address them.

The aim, he said, was to make it easier for businesses to invest, produce and expand.

President Hichilema outlined his administration’s flagship 10-10-5-3-3-1-1 vision as a set of targets to guide the country’s growth programme.

The targets include producing 10 million tonnes of maize to strengthen food security and generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity to support economic activity.

The agenda also targets five million tourist arrivals, three million tonnes of copper, three million tonnes of soybeans, one million tonnes of wheat, one million tonnes of sugar and US$1 billion or more in exports outside Zambia.

President Hichilema said the targets were intended to significantly increase the size of Zambia’s economy.

He said the country had already made progress in expanding the economy and that further growth could be achieved during his second term.

He said a larger economy would create jobs, open opportunities for businesses, increase government revenue and provide more resources for investment.

President Hichilema said increased investment would drive production, while higher production would generate revenue that could be invested back into the economy.

But he stressed that growth must have a direct impact on ordinary people.

“Economic growth must mean something at the dinner tables to all our people,” he said.

He said growth should translate into jobs for graduates, markets for farmers and better opportunities for families and businesses.

President Hichilema said government would increase investment in education, skills development and health during his second term.

He described education as the greatest equaliser and one of the most important things parents and society could give children.

He said education gave children the ability to make better use of opportunities and resources available to them.

The President also pledged to expand economic empowerment programmes targeting women and young people.

He said social protection would be strengthened for citizens who needed assistance, acknowledging that some people would continue to require support.

“We hear you. We support you. We work for you,” he said.

President Hichilema said government would strengthen decentralisation by giving local communities more responsibility and resources.

He said development would continue to be taken to all parts of the country.

“No province will be left behind,” he said.

President Hichilema said government had already developed a regional economic programme identifying areas of focus for each province according to its resources and economic potential.

He said the approach would allow different parts of Zambia to contribute to national development based on what each area could produce or do best.

The President called for a change in the way Zambians approached development and economic opportunities.

He said the country needed to move away from a culture of concentrating only on immediate needs without considering the future.

President Hichilema criticised what he described as a culture of handouts and urged citizens to embrace productivity, work and long-term planning.

He acknowledged that such attitudes had developed over many years and would not disappear overnight.

But he said Zambia needed to start making decisions with future generations in mind rather than focusing only on immediate consumption.

He said leadership was also about making decisions that would benefit children, young people and generations to come.

President Hichilema said his administration would continue changing the public service into an effective, efficient and results-oriented institution.

He said being in public service should not simply mean reporting for work and waiting for the working day to end.

“Delivery doesn’t mean reporting for work because eight hours are knocking off at 17 hours. No, no, no. It means specific outcomes,” he said.

The President said government needed public servants who could provide quality services to citizens without discrimination.

He pledged to strengthen digitisation, accountability, professionalism and innovation across the public service.

He also stressed the need for proper management of public resources, saying government money must be used for the benefit of citizens.

President Hichilema said the fight against corruption would continue during his second term.

He said public resources must be protected and used for their intended purpose.

He called on public officers to put national interests ahead of personal interests.

The President said public servants who acted in the national interest would help create an environment in which both the country and its citizens could benefit.

Turning to international relations, President Hichilema said Zambia would continue playing an active and constructive role in regional and international affairs.

He said the country’s foreign policy would remain centred on economic diplomacy, security, stability, cooperation and mutual benefit.

President Hichilema reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to peace in the region, Africa and the wider international community.

He warned that instability in one country could have consequences beyond its borders.

“In stability anywhere is instability everywhere,” he said, pointing to the displacement, suffering and economic disruption that conflict can cause.

He said Zambia would continue working with neighbouring countries, African states and the wider international community to promote peace.

“Without peace, we cannot deliver development and benefits to our people,” President Hichilema said.

President Hichilema’s inauguration speech also carried a message of reconciliation after the elections.

He commended all candidates who contested the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections for offering themselves for public service and putting their ideas before voters.

He warned against turning political competition into a matter of life and death.

“Life is sacred. Never tamper with life,” he said.

The President said political differences were part of democracy but should never be allowed to threaten peace, security and stability.

He said his political competitors and their supporters remained part of Zambia’s democratic system and that their political choices should be respected.

He urged political rivals to compete through ideas rather than treating one another as enemies.

“Elections and contest of ideas must never become permanent divisions amongst our people,” he said.

President Hichilema said the elections were now over and that the responsibility of building Zambia belonged to all citizens.

President Hichilema pledged to serve as President for all Zambians.

He said his purpose was to improve people’s lives and ensure that citizens had an opportunity to benefit from national development.

He promised to lead a government that listens to citizens and takes development to communities across the country.

He also pledged to serve with integrity and accountability, saying the work done during his first term had created a base on which his government would continue building.

The President called on citizens to take part in building Zambia regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender or social status.

He urged Zambians to combine hard work with smart work in building a peaceful, united and prosperous country.

President Hichilema ended his address by renewing his commitment to all citizens and calling on the country to remain united under the principle of “One Zambia, One Nation.”

President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election, saying the outcome reflected the confidence Zambians had placed in his leadership.

President Mnangagwa said the election result was a sign of the trust and confidence the people of Zambia had placed in President Hichilema.

He said the peaceful exercise of democratic rights by Zambians was important to the consolidation of democracy in Zambia and the region.

He said Zambians had exercised their right to choose the leadership they wanted and that the result reflected their confidence in President Hichilema.

As President Hichilema begins his second term, President Mnangagwa assured him that the Government and people of Zimbabwe would continue working with Zambia for the benefit of both countries.

President Mnangagwa said Zambia and Zimbabwe had strong historical, cultural and economic ties.

He said Zimbabwe was pleased with the progress made in strengthening bilateral relations, particularly following the elevation of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation to a Binational Commission.

President Mnangagwa recalled President Hichilema’s working visit to Zimbabwe in November 2025, during which the two countries formalised the establishment of the Binational Commission.

He said the visit demonstrated the long-standing ties and cooperation between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“I am confident that under this new mandate entrusted to you by the great people of Zambia, we shall continue working together with stronger synergies and strategic focus to achieve the development goals of our two countries,” President Mnangagwa said.

He also thanked President Hichilema, the Government and people of Zambia for the support Zimbabwe received during its campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.

President Mnangagwa said Zambia and Zimbabwe should use changing global conditions to strengthen Africa’s voice and advance the continent’s interests.

“As we look to the future, in the context of emerging realities, let us harness the opportunities presented to us and coordinate our efforts as Africans,” he said.

He said Africans themselves had the responsibility to build, develop, modernise and industrialise their countries.

President Mnangagwa called for stronger partnerships in addressing shared national and regional priorities.

“Let us never apologise for being proud, sovereign and independent African people,” he said.

He said Zimbabwe believed countries should be built, governed and developed by their own people.

President Mnangagwa wished President Hichilema success during his second term and expressed hope that it would bring peace, progress and prosperity to the people of Zambia.

He reaffirmed the importance of African solidarity and called for continued cooperation between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

“Long live African solidarity. Long live solidarity. Long live Zimbabwe and Zambia. God bless you all.”

Kenyan President William Ruto has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to use his second term to turn Zambia’s economic stability into jobs, higher incomes and more opportunities for young people.

President Ruto said the progress made in dealing with Zambia’s debt crisis, restoring confidence in the economy and reducing inflation should now begin showing more clearly in the lives of ordinary citizens.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony marking President Hichilema’s second term, President Ruto congratulated his Zambian counterpart and said Kenya was ready to work with Zambia as it enters the next stage of its development.

He said President Hichilema’s first term had been marked by difficult economic conditions, including the debt crisis, cost-of-living pressures, drought and energy shortages.

“My brother, in those difficult moments, demonstrated leadership and statesmanship, not populism,” President Ruto said.

He said the Hichilema administration had made progress in dealing with the debt crisis, restoring Zambia’s relationship with creditors and rebuilding confidence in the economy.

President Ruto also cited lower inflation and improved international reserves as signs that the economy had become more stable.

He said the main challenge in President Hichilema’s second term was to ensure that the improvements in economic indicators were felt by families across the country.

“The challenge, Mr President, of the second term is to build on these gains and translate economic stability into prosperity for your citizens—in jobs and incomes and opportunities for young people and in the daily lives of Zambian families,” he said.

President Ruto also commended Zambia’s expansion of free education, saying the policy had opened access to education for millions of children.

He said economic stability and investment in education should ultimately help young people find opportunities and build productive lives.

President Ruto urged African countries to ensure that political competition does not turn into conflict.

He said Zambia’s national motto, “One Zambia, One Nation,” carried a lesson beyond Zambia because political differences should not be allowed to divide nations.

“Democracy is not tested when we agree. Democracy is tested when we disagree,” he said.

President Ruto said elections would always produce winners and losers, with some people celebrating and others disappointed, but the country should remain united after the results.

He said elections should decide who governs and should not decide who belongs to the country.

“Political competition may divide choices. It must never divide our destiny,” President Ruto said.

He urged President Hichilema to govern all Zambians, regardless of how they voted.

“I am confident that in this new mandate, you will govern for Zambians—those who voted for you and those who did not, those who support your government and those who don’t,” he said.

President Ruto said every citizen belonged equally to Zambia and should have a place in the country’s future.

President Ruto said the current generation of Africans had inherited political freedom from earlier generations that fought colonial rule.

He said the question facing today’s leaders was how that political freedom could be used to improve the economic lives of Africans.

“What will Africa do with its freedom?” he asked.

President Ruto said Africa had the land needed to feed itself and others, energy resources to power development, minerals needed by future industries and the world’s youngest population.

He said the challenge was to use these resources to create wealth and opportunities.

“Our task is to turn political freedom into economic freedom, national wealth into African prosperity, sovereignty into self-reliance and democracy into opportunity,” he said.

He said these were the issues by which the current generation of African leaders would ultimately be judged.

President Ruto said Africans did not vote simply to participate in elections but expected governments to deliver jobs, incomes, education, healthcare, dignity and opportunities for their children.

The Kenyan President warned that Africa could not industrialise if every election brought uncertainty.

He said businesses needed stable institutions, while investors needed confidence in the rule of law before committing capital.

“Africa cannot industrialise if every election becomes a moment of national uncertainty. Business cannot build where tomorrow is uncertain. Capital will not flow where institutions cannot be trusted, and prosperity cannot take root if politics repeatedly threatens the foundations on which it depends,” he said.

President Ruto said constitutional government, credible institutions, the rule of law and national unity were important foundations for economic development.

He called on African leaders to compete politically without becoming enemies, disagree without destroying institutions and pursue electoral victory without shutting out people who hold different views.

“Politics must never become more important than our countries,” he said.

He also noted that Kenya would hold its own general election the following year, saying the country understood the importance of peaceful political competition and strong democratic institutions.

President Ruto said the relationship between Kenya and Zambia should increasingly be judged by the economic opportunities and jobs it creates.

He said the two countries should strengthen trade, investment, infrastructure links and market connections.

“Kenya will walk that journey with Zambia,” he said.

He said the same approach should eventually apply across Africa.

President Ruto criticised the continent’s continued dependence on exporting minerals, agricultural products and other raw materials before importing finished products at higher prices.

“For too long, we have exported African minerals, African agricultural produce and African raw materials only to import their value back at a premium,” he said.

He said Africa was effectively exporting jobs along with its raw materials and needed to change this economic model.

President Ruto said the African Continental Free Trade Area offered an opportunity to bring African markets together and create a larger market for African businesses.

He said African countries needed to industrialise, add value to their resources and increase trade among themselves.

“By connecting our markets, capital and productive capacity, we can create the scale necessary for African enterprise to compete at home and across the world,” he said.

He said greater African integration did not mean withdrawing from the global economy, but would give African countries a stronger position from which to compete internationally.

Africa, he said, should no longer be seen only as a supplier of raw materials but as a producer of finished and value-added goods.

President Ruto used the Zambezi River to illustrate Africa’s potential.

He recalled that Zambia’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, had compared the African spirit to the waters of the Zambezi, which could generate great power when properly harnessed.

President Ruto said the same principle applied to Africa’s development today.

“Africa does not lack power. We have the power of our people, the power of our resources, the power of our markets, the power of our ideas and the extraordinary power of the youngest population in the world,” he said.

He said Africa’s task was to turn those resources and its young population into economic strength.

According to President Ruto, earlier generations had secured political independence and given African countries the right to govern themselves.

The task for the present generation, he said, was to build an Africa that can feed itself, power itself, trade within itself, add value to its resources and create wealth for its people.

He said Africa’s ultimate goal should be economic freedom.

President Ruto wished President Hichilema wisdom and strength as he begins his second term.

He urged him to use the mandate to strengthen national unity, expand opportunities for citizens and contribute to Africa’s economic development.

“May this new chapter strengthen the unity of this nation, enlarge opportunity for every Zambian and advance the larger African journey to which generations before us devoted their lives,” he said.

“They gave us freedom. Our duty is to turn that freedom into prosperity.”

President Ruto ended his address by calling for African unity and invoking Zambia’s national motto alongside a wider continental vision: “One Zambia, One Nation. One Africa.”

The African Union Commission has congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on his inauguration for a second term, saying Zambia’s record of peace, unity, stability and democratic governance remains an important foundation for the country.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Hildah Suke Mafuze, representing African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, conveyed the Chairperson’s greetings and best wishes to President Hichilema, the Zambian Government and the people of Zambia.

Ms Mafuze said the AU Commission Chairperson could not attend the ceremony because he had travelled from Luanda the previous night to participate in an African Union Special Summit.

She said he had asked her to convey his congratulations to President Hichilema and his wishes for a successful second term marked by peace, progress and prosperity.

“On behalf of the African Union, I congratulate you on your inauguration for the next term, which is your second term,” she said.

Ms Mafuze said Zambia had established a record of peace, unity, stability and democratic governance and urged President Hichilema to build on those foundations during his second term.

She said the African Union had worked closely with Zambia during the electoral process, including through an election assessment mission that engaged key stakeholders before an election observation mission was deployed.

The election observation mission was led by former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Ms Mafuze said the AU’s involvement reflected its commitment to strengthening democracy, peace and stability on the continent.

She also recognised Zambia’s economic reforms, saying the next phase should focus on inclusive economic growth, opportunities for citizens and sustainable development.

“Your Excellency, Zambia occupies a special place in the history of Pan-Africanism. Its support for the liberation of Africa and its long-standing commitment to African solidarity have earned it a distinguished place in our continental history,” she said.

Ms Mafuze said Africa was going through major political, economic and geopolitical changes and needed a stronger and more united voice.

She urged Zambia to continue supporting African unity, integration and solidarity and to contribute to efforts to build an African Union that is strong, effective, influential, self-reliant, self-financing and resilient.

“The African Union looks forward to working closely with Your Excellency and the Government of Zambia in advancing Agenda 2063 and building an Africa that is peaceful, integrated, prosperous and able to shape its own future,” she said.

Ms Mafuze again conveyed the congratulations and best wishes of the AU Commission Chairperson to President Hichilema.

She wished the President success in carrying out his national responsibilities and wished the people of Zambia continued peace, unity, prosperity and progress.