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PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TARGETS TO GROW ZAMBIA IN 2ND TERMINAUGURATION SPEECH BY MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA,PRESIDENT OF THE REP...
01/09/2026

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TARGETS TO GROW ZAMBIA IN 2ND TERM

INAUGURATION SPEECH

BY MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA,
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
Delivered On 1ST SEPTEMBER 2026
At the NATIONAL HEROES STADIUM
LUSAKA

CABINET OFFICE
LUSAKA

ADDRESS TO THE NATION

• YOUR EXCELLENCIES, HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT;
• YOUR EXCELLENCIES, REPRESENTATIVES OF HEADS OF STATE AND
GOVERNMENT;
• YOUR EXCELLENCIES, FORMER HEADS OF STATE AND
GOVERNMENT;
• YOUR HONOUR, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
ZAMBIA, DR. W. K. MUTALE NALUMANGO, MP.;
• FORMER VICE PRESIDENTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA;
• THE FIRST LADY
• FORMER FIRST LADIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA;
• YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESSES;
• THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE, JUSTICE DR. MUMBA MALILA,
SC;
• THE HONOURABLE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, MRS.
NELLY B. K. MUTTI, MP., SC;
• JUDGE PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
• MY LORDS AND LADYSHIPS, JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT,
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, COURT OF APPEAL AND HIGH COURT;
• THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA,
MRS. MWANGALA ZALOUMIS, SC;
• THE SECRETARY TO THE CABINET, MR. PATRICK K. KANGWA;
• YOUR WORSHIP, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LUSAKA;
• MAYORS, COUNCIL CHAIRPERSONS AND OTHER CIVIC LEADERS;
• MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT;
• MEMBERS OF THE UPND ALLIANCE COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS;
• MEMBERS OF THE UPND NATIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE;
• LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES;
• LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS;
• PERMANENT SECRETARIES;
• SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS;
• MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS;
• THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER FOR LUSAKA;
• REPRESENTATIVES OF CHURCH MOTHER BODIES;
• REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND CAPTAINS
OF INDUSTRY;
• REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADE UNIONS;
• REPRESENTATIVES OF STUDENT BODIES;

THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF THE PEOPLE

FELLOW CITIZENS,
TODAY, WE HONOUR AND CELEBRATE THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
YOU, THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA, HAVE SPOKEN. THROUGH THE BALLOT, YOU HAVE RENEWED OUR MANDATE TO SERVE THIS GREAT REPUBLIC.
FIVE YEARS AGO, YOU USHERED IN A NEW DAWN. TODAY, WE WITNESS THE BIRTH OF THE “GROW ZAMBIA” AGENDA.
WE ACCEPT THIS RENEWED MANDATE WITH PROFOUND GRATITUDE, DEEP HUMILITY AND A RENEWED SENSE OF DUTY. WE BELIEVE THAT AN ELECTORAL VICTORY IS A SACRED RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE. THIS MANDATE, THEREFORE, BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA, TO STRENGTHEN OUR DEMOCRACY, TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL, AND TO BUILD A MORE PROSPEROUS, UNITED, AND RESILIENT NATION. IT IS A MANDATE TO GROW ZAMBIA.

GRATITUDE TO GOD AND THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE

FELLOW CITIZENS,
WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPREMACY OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD OVER THIS NATION. WE GIVE THANKS TO THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE. YOU CAME FORWARD TO EXERCISE YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE. YOU STOOD PATIENTLY IN QUEUES, MADE YOUR CHOICES AND ONCE AGAIN DEMONSTRATED YOUR FAITH IN DEMOCRACY. YOU ARE THE TRUE CUSTODIANS OF OUR DEMOCRACY. TO THOSE WHO PLACED THEIR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN US, WE SAY: THANK YOU. WE RECEIVE YOUR SUPPORT WITH HUMILITY AND WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESPONSIBILITY IT PLACES UPON OUR SHOULDERS. TO THOSE WHO CHOSE OTHER CANDIDATES OR OTHER PARTIES, WE SAY WITH EQUAL SINCERITY: WE HAVE HEARD YOU, WE RESPECT YOUR CHOICE, AND WE VALUE YOUR VOICE. DEMOCRACY DOES NOT REQUIRE US TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING. IT REQUIRES US TO RESPECT ONE ANOTHER EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE. WHATEVER OUR POLITICAL CHOICES, WE REMAIN ONE PEOPLE, BOUND TOGETHER BY ZAMBIA, AND A COMMON DESTINY.

GRATITUDE TO FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES

FELLOW CITIZENS,
I THANK MY BELOVED WIFE, MUTINTA, OUR CHILDREN AND OUR WIDER FAMILY FOR THEIR SACRIFICE, PATIENCE, ENCOURAGEMENT AND UNFAILING SUPPORT.
TO THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND MY RUNNING MATE, DR W. K. MUTALE NALUMANGO, I EXPRESS MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR YOUR STEADFAST AND INVALUABLE SUPPORT.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, OUR ALLIANCE PARTNERS, CAMPAIGN TEAMS, FOOT SOLDIERS, VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS ACROSS OUR COUNTRY: WE THANK YOU. WE HONOUR YOU!
YOUR SACRIFICE, DILIGENCE, HARD WORK, AND FAITH IN THE ZAMBIA WE SEEK TO BUILD TOGETHER HAVE BROUGHT US TO THIS MOMENT. WE CELEBRATE THIS ACHIEVEMENT WITH DIGNITY AND HUMILITY. THERE MUST BE NO TAUNTING, NO PROVOCATION AND NO HUMILIATION OF THOSE WHO VOTED DIFFERENTLY. THE PERSON WHO VOTED AGAINST US IS NOT OUR ENEMY. HE IS OUR BROTHER. SHE IS OUR SISTER. THEY ARE FELLOW ZAMBIANS. IN VICTORY, LET US SHOW THE CHARACTER OF THE ZAMBIA WE ARE BUILDING.

GRATITUDE TO NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

FELLOW CITIZENS,
WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH GRATITUDE THE CHURCH, TRADITIONAL LEADERS, CIVIL SOCIETY, THE MEDIA AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROMOTION OF PEACE, UNITY AND DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS.
WE COMMEND THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA AND ALL ELECTORAL OFFICIALS FOR THEIR DEDICATION IN ADMINISTERING THESE ELECTIONS.
WE THANK OUR COOPERATING PARTNERS, LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS, PARTY AGENTS AND ALL THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.
OUR DEMOCRACY IS STRONGEST WHEN OUR INSTITUTIONS ARE RESPECTED AND OUR DIFFERENCES ARE RESOLVED PEACEFULLY AND LAWFULLY.

OUR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS

YOUR EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,
WE THANK THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN DIGNITARIES, REPRESENTATIVES OF INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS, MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS AND ALL DISTINGUISHED GUESTS WHO HAVE JOINED US. YOUR PRESENCE IS A PROFOUND EXPRESSION OF FRIENDSHIP, SOLIDARITY AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA.
WE VALUE YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND LOOK FORWARD TO DEEPENING OUR COOPERATION FOR THE MUTUAL BENEFIT OF OUR PEOPLES.

THE RECORD OF OUR FIRST TERM

FELLOW CITIZENS,
THE TRUST THAT YOU HAVE RENEWED IS ALSO A RESPONSIBILITY TO BUILD UPON THE FOUNDATIONS WE HAVE LAID TOGETHER. DURING OUR FIRST TERM, WE WORKED TO STABILISE AND REVITALISE OUR ECONOMY. ECONOMIC GROWTH IMPROVED. OUR EXTERNAL DEBT WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESTRUCTURED. OUR INTERNATIONAL RESERVES HAVE REACHED THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF ALL TIME. INFLATION REDUCED TO THE LOWEST LEVEL IN 8 YEARS. INVESTOR CONFIDENCE HAS IMPROVED, THE KWACHA HAS BEEN STABILISED. FREE EDUCATION BECAME A REALITY AND IS NOW PROTECTED BY LAW. 2.6 MILLION ADDITIONAL CHILDREN HAVE SINCE RETURNED TO SCHOOL.
ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE HAS IMPROVED.
THROUGH THE ENHANCED CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND, RESOURCES ARE REACHING COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES ARE BEING ADDRESSED.
OUR SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES ARE REACHING MORE OF OUR VULNERABLE CITIZENS.
THE RULE OF LAW HAS BEEN RESTORED. THERE CAN BE NO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT PEACE, SECURITY, AND STABILITY. WE HAVE ENHANCED ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND WIDENED PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE.
WE INTRODUCED THE PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SYSTEM — A LANDMARK REFORM THAT HAS ENHANCED THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
WE HAVE ALSO DECENTRALISED FUNCTIONS, RESOURCES AND DECISION-MAKING TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES, BRINGING GOVERNMENT CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE.
YES, A LOT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN OUR FIRST MANDATE BUT WE KNOW THAT THERE IS STILL MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

FROM STABILISATION TO GROWTH

FELLOW CITIZENS,
WE KNOW THAT FOR MANY FAMILIES, THE COST OF LIVING HAS REMAINED CHALLENGING, AND THAT THE BENEFITS OF OUR STABILISATION HAVE NOT YET BEEN FELT AT EVERY LEVEL. WE HEAR YOU.
YES, STABILITY OF OUR NATIONAL BALANCE SHEET MUST CONTINUE TO FLOW TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD.
HAVING DONE THE HEAVY LIFTING IN OUR FIRST TERM, THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IS ABOUT GROWTH, EXPANSION, OPPORTUNITY AND PROSPERITY.
THIS IS WHAT THE GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA MEANS IN PRACTICE: GROWTH, EXPANSION AND OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY ZAMBIAN.
GOING FORWARD, OUR FOCUS IS CLEAR: WE BUILD ON THE ECONOMIC STABILISATION PLATFORM TO ECONOMIC EXPANSION.
NO MATTER HOW GOOD-HEARTED ONE MAY BE, YOU CANNOT SHARE POVERTY.
WE MUST GROW THE ECONOMY SO THAT THERE IS MORE FOR EVERY ZAMBIAN TO SHARE AND TO REDISTRIBUTE.
WORKING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR WE WILL CONTINUE WITH AN EVEN MORE AMBITIOUS REFORM AGENDA.
FOR US, REFORMS HAVE DELIVERED - AND WILL CONITNUE TO DELIVER, POSITIVE RESULTS FOR OUR PEOPLE.
WE WILL GROW AND DIVERSIFY OUR MINING, AGRICULTURE, TOURISM AND ENERGY SECTORS, AMONG OTHERS.
WE WILL ACCELERATE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION THROUGH REFORMING INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE STOOD IN THE WAY OF OUR COUNTRY’S GROWTH FOR TOO LONG.
THIS IS ANCHORED BY OUR FLAGSHIP GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA,
10 – 10 – 5 – 3 – 3 – 1 – 1 – 1
10 MILLION TONNES OF MAIZE
10,000 MEGAWATTS OF ELECTRICITY
5 MILLION TOURISTS
3 MILLION TONNES OF COPPER
3 MILLION TONNES OF SOYA
1 MILLION TONNES OF WHEAT
1 MILLION TONNES OF SUGAR
1 BILLION USD IN BEEF EXPORT REVENUE
THROUGH THIS AGENDA, WE WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE THE SIZE OF OUR ECONOMY, TO CREATE MORE JOBS, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND TREASURY REVENUE FOR FURTHER INVESTMENT AND SUPPORTING OUR SOCIETY, ESPECIALLY THE NEEDY AND MOST VULNERABLE.
ECONOMIC GROWTH MUST MEAN SOMETHING AT THE DINNER TABLE. IT MUST MEAN EDUCATION FOR OUR CHILDREN, A JOB FOR A YOUNG GRADUATE, A MARKET FOR A FARMER, CAPITAL FOR AN ENTREPRENEUR, OPPORTUNITY FOR A WOMAN IN BUSINESS AND A BETTER FUTURE FOR EVERY CHILD.

INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE

FELLOW CITIZENS,
WE WILL SCALE UP INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTHCARE.
EDUCATION REMAINS THE GREATEST EQUALISER, THE BEST INVESTMENT AND INHERITANCE WE CAN GIVE OUR CHILDREN.
WE WILL DEEPEN THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.
WE WILL STRENGTHEN AND ACCELERATE DECENTRALISATION, PUTTING MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND RESOURCES IN THE HANDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE TO REACH EVERY CORNER OF OUR REPUBLIC.
NO PROVINCE WILL BE EXCLUDED AND NO DISTRICT WILL BE FORGOTTEN. NO COMMUNITY WILL EVER FEEL THAT THEY DO NOT MATTER.

A CHANGE OF MINDSET

FELLOW CITIZENS,
WE ARE EMERGING FROM AN ERA THAT TAUGHT MANY OF OUR PEOPLE TO THINK ONLY OF TODAY, AND NOT OF TOMORROW — THE TANTAMENI OR HANDOUTS SYNDROME.
THIS CULTURE WAS ENGRAINED OVER MANY YEARS, AND IT CANNOT BE UNDONE OVERNIGHT.
AS A NATION, WE HAVE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY. WE HAVE TO THINK OF TOMORROW, AND NOT ONLY OF TODAY.
WE HAVE TO THINK OF OUR CHILDREN, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THE GENERATIONS TO COME.

A PUBLIC SERVICE THAT SERVES

FELLOW CITIZENS,
WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SERVICE INTO AN EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, AND DELIERY-ORIENTED INSTITUTION.
WE WANT A PUBLIC SERVICE THAT DELIVERS QUALITY SERVICES TO EVERY CITIZEN, AND SUPPORTS THE GROWTH OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND INVESTMENT.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN ACCOUNTABILITY, PROFESSIONALISM AND INNOVATION, AND ENSURE THAT PUBLIC RESOURCES ARE MANAGED PRUDENTLY AND USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR PEOPLE.
THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL INTENSIFY. PUBLIC RESOURCES WILL BE PROTECTED. EVERY PUBLIC SERVANT SHOULD PUT THE NATIONAL INTEREST FIRST, ABOVE THEIR PERSONAL INTEREST. WHEN WE ALL PUT NATIONAL INTERESTS FIRST, OUR PERSONAL INTERESTS WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.

ZAMBIA IN THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS

YOUR EXCELLENCIES,
ZAMBIA WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE, PRINCIPLED AND CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS.
OUR FOREIGN POLICY WILL REMAIN ANCHORED ON ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY, PEACE, SECURITY, STABILITY AND MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COOPERATION. WE HAVE ALWAYS SAID, “INSTABILITY ANYWHERE IS INSTABILITY EVERYWHERE.”
ZAMBIA REMAINS A PEACEFUL SOVEREIGN NATION AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS, OUR REGION AFRICA, AND INDEED THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY IN PURSUIT OF LASTING PEACE.
WE WILL REMAIN AN ATTRACTIVE INVESTOR-FRIENDLY COUNTRY, A RELIABLE PARTNER, AND A DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR TOURISTS, INVESTORS AND GLOBAL PARTNERS.
ZAMBIA WILL CONTINUE TO BE A VOICE FOR PEACE, DIALOGUE AND
COOPERATION.

ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION, ONE PEOPLE

FELLOW CITIZENS,
WE ARE HERE TO SERVE ALL THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA, REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION, REGION, ETHNICITY, RELIGION, GENDER OR SOCIAL STATUS.
WE THEREFORE INVITE EVERY CITIZEN TO JOIN IN THE WORK OF BUILDING OUR COUNTRY.
LET US DEDICATE OURSELVES TO HARD AND SMART WORK. HARD AND SMART WORK FOR SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH, FOR MORE JOBES AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. HARD AND SMART WORK FOR ACCESSIBLE, QUALITY HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES. HARD AND SMART WORK FOR A MORE UNITED, PEACEFUL, INCLUSIVE AND PROSPEROUS ZAMBIA.
ABOVE ALL, LET US REMAIN ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION, ONE PEOPLE.

OUR PLEDGE TO YOU

FELLOW CITIZENS,
OUR PURPOSE REMAINS CLEAR: TO UPLIFT THE LIVES, AND IMPROVE THE WELLBEING OF EVERY ZAMBIAN CITIZEN.
THIS IS THE PROMISE AT THE HEART OF THE GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA.
WE PLEDGE TO SERVE YOU WITH INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
WE PLEDGE TO LEAD A GOVERNMENT IN WHICH EVERY VOICE MATTERS AND EVERY CITIZEN IS HEARD.
WE PLEDGE TO LEAD A GOVERNMENT THAT TAKES TANGIBLE DEVELOPMENT TO EVERY COMMUNITY.
AND SO I MAKE THIS PLEDGE TO YOU, PERSONALLY:
I WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SERVANT PRESIDENT FOR ALL ZAMBIANS.

AN EXTENDED HAND OF UNITY

FELLOW CITIZENS,
WE COMMEND ALL THE CANDIDATES WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PRESIDENTIAL, PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS.
IT TAKES COURAGE TO OFFER ONESELF FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND TO SUBMIT ONE'S IDEAS TO THE JUDGEMENT OF THE PEOPLE.
BUT IT SHOULD NEVER REACH THE POINT WHERE IT BECOMES A MATTER BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. LIFE IS SACRED.
AS WE BEGIN THIS NEW CHAPTER, WE MUST REFLECT SOBERLY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE, AND NATIONAL UNITY.
POLITICAL DIFFERENCES ARE AN INEVITABLE PART OF DEMOCRACY, BUT THE PURSUIT OF POLITICAL POWER MUST NEVER COME AT THE EXPENSE OF PEACE, SECURITY, AND STABILITY.
TO OUR POLITICAL COMPETITORS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS, WE SAY: YOU REMAIN AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR DEMOCRACY, AND WE RESPECT YOUR CHOICES.
WHERE WE DISAGREE, WE DO SO AS POLITICAL COMPETITORS, NOT AS ENEMIES.
ELECTIONS ARE CONTESTS OF IDEAS; THEY MUST NEVER BECOME PERMANENT DIVISIONS AMONG OUR PEOPLE.
THE ELECTION IS NOW BEHIND US. THE COUNTRY BEFORE US BELONGS TO ALL OF US. THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER, BUT THE WORK OF BUILDING ZAMBIA CONTINUES.
WE THEREFORE EXTEND OUR HAND TO THOSE WHO OPPOSED US — NOT AS A GESTURE OF POLITICAL CONVENIENCE, BUT AS AN EXPRESSION OF OUR CONVICTION THAT THIS REPUBLIC BELONGS EQUALLY TO ALL OF US.
WHERE YOU HAVE GOOD IDEAS, WE WILL LISTEN. WHERE YOU OFFER CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, WE WILL HEAR YOU. WHERE THE NATIONAL INTEREST CALLS UPON US TO WORK TOGETHER, WE SHOULD DO SO.
ZAMBIA IS BIG AND ENDOWED ENOUGH FOR ALL OF US.

ZAMBIA FORWARD, TOGETHER

FELLOW CITIZENS,
TODAY IS NOT SIMPLY THE END OF AN ELECTION.
IT IS THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER CHAPTER IN OUR NATION BUILDING JOURNEY.
WITH DETERMINATION LET US MOVE FORWARD TOGERTHER.
WITH HUMILITY AND GRATITUDE LET US MOVE FORWARD TOGERTHER WITH INCLUSIVITY AND FAIRNESS LET US MOVE FORWARD TOGERTHER AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS, UNITED BY THE LAND WE LOVE, AND THE FUTURE WE SHARE, LET US MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
OUR POLITICAL PREFERENCES MAY DIFFER, BUT OUR FUTURE IS ONE.
TOGETHER, LET US CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS GREAT REPUBLIC A BEACON OF PEACE, HOPE, OPPORTUNITY AND PROSPERITY.
TOGETHER, LET US GROW ZAMBIA SUSTAINABLY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
DZIKOMO
TWATOTELA
LUITUMEZI
TWASANTA
TWASAKWILILA
TUNASAKILIKU
TWALUMBA
WE THANK YOU
FELLOW CITIZENS,
MAY PEACE, UNITY, AND PROGRESS FOREVER PREVAIL IN OUR MOTHERLAND.
AND MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR NATION, ZAMBIA
I THANK YOU ALL

01/09/2026
01/09/2026

A message from the UK 🇬🇧🇿🇲

01/09/2026
01/09/2026
GOVT DECLARES 1st SEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAY
30/08/2026

GOVT DECLARES 1st SEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAY

H.E. Mazoka chairs 'Controversies in Crypto and Blockchain – the Law and Regulation' workshop at the 43rd Cambridge Inte...
30/08/2026

H.E. Mazoka chairs 'Controversies in Crypto and Blockchain – the Law and Regulation' workshop at the 43rd Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime

Her Excellency Ms Macenje Mazoka, High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to the United Kingdom, Friday led the workshop on legal and regulatory questions around crypto-assets, blockchain and decentralised finance.

The session, under the theme “Asset Recovery and the Rule of Law: Taking the Profit Out of Crime – From Rhetoric to Results", looked at how quickly the legal, regulatory and technical landscape is changing and what that means for policy and practice.

In her opening remarks, High Commissioner Mazoka acknowledged both the promise and the pitfalls of these technologies.

She pointed to opportunities to broaden financial inclusion, lower remittance costs and improve market efficiency, while also stressing the need for strong consumer protections, market integrity and strong safeguards against illicit financial flows.

The panel included experts from law, technology, investment and fintech included Raf Demczuk (W LEGAL); Dr Navjit Dhaliwal, CEO of Lagon; Simon Peters, CEO and Co‑Founder of Xerberus; Dr Manal Rifiki, Director at Rakuten Mobile Japan and Ambassador of the MENA FinTech Association; Thomas Mayfield, CEO of Veridian; and Pieter Dalstra, CIO of Recursive Systems.

Panel discussions covered regulatory gaps, compliance-by-design, decentralised digital identity, risk assessment in DeFi, institutional involvement in digital-asset markets, and the role of international cooperation in tracing and recovering illicit proceeds.

In her closing remarks, High Commissioner Mazoka stressed that innovation must go hand in hand with clear laws, capable regulators, trained investigators and responsible industry behaviour.

28/08/2026

DEBT RESTRUCTURING CUTS DEBT SERVICE, RELEASES FISCAL SPACE FOR DEVELOPMENT

Zambia’s debt restructuring has sharply reduced external debt-service pressures and created additional fiscal space for social protection, infrastructure and other development priorities, Secretary to the Treasury FELIX NKULUKUSA, has said.

THE NUMBERS

- External debt service:

About US$900 million annually AFTER restructuring, compared with an estimated US$2.6 billion annually without restructuring.

- Domestic revenue burden:

External debt service has fallen to roughly K15 of every K100 collected, from about K70 of every K100 before restructuring.

- IMF financing:

Approximately US$1.7 billion accessed under the Extended Credit Facility, including about US$400 million in additional financing to help mitigate the 2023/2024 drought.

- International reserves:

Increased from around US$3 billion in 2021 to about US$6.5 billion at end-June 2026.

- Fiscal deficit:

Declined from about 9% of GDP in 2021 to 3.8% in 2025.

HOW ZAMBIA GOT HERE

Zambia defaulted on its external debt in November 2020 after previous years of rising borrowing, weak economic growth and mounting external pressures.

The debt-to-GDP ratio increased from about 48% in 2016 to 128% in 2021, while economic growth averaged around 2.1%. Debt to GDP ratio is now around 83%.

With external debt service absorbing nearly K70 of every K100 collected domestically and the public-service wage bill requiring roughly K43, restructuring became essential to restore debt sustainability and protect critical public services.

THE FISCAL-SPACE DIVIDEND

The reduction in debt-service requirements is allowing the Government to direct more resources toward:

- Free education;
- Health;
- Agriculture;
- Social protection;
- Infrastructure;
- Constituency Development Fund; and,
- Public services.

The shift marks the central economic dividend of restructuring i.e. moving public resources from excessive debt repayments toward productive and social investment.

MACRO STABILITY

Mr. NKULUKUSA said debt restructuring, the IMF-supported reform programme and broader fiscal measures have helped strengthen confidence and macroeconomic stability.

Inflation has returned to the 6%–8% budget target range, while the Kwacha has stabilised at around K19 per US dollar.

Economic growth has averaged approximately 4% over the past five years, thus providing a stronger platform for investment, production and employment creation.

INVESTMENT PIPELINE

Between 2021 and June 2026, the Zambia Development Agency issued more than 2,300 investment licenses valued at about US$97 billion.

Approximately US$19 billion is estimated to have been actualized, facilitating around 150,000 jobs across mining, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, seed production and other productive sectors.

The policy focus now is converting the wider investment pipeline into operating businesses, exports, jobs and household incomes.

CITIZEN IMPACT

The emerging fiscal space is already supporting expanded public programmes:

- School feeding:

From about 2.3 million learners in 70 districts in 2021 to more than 5.1 million children across all 116 districts;

- Social Cash Transfer:

From approximately 880,000 households in 2021 to around 1.6 million households, with the transfer value rising from K200 to K400 per month.

- Cash-for-Work:

Close to 2.9 million beneficiaries across all 116 districts.

- Public-service recruitment:

More than 74,000 personnel recruited since 2021 across education, health, policing, defense and wildlife protection etc.

These interventions are expanding access to education, health care, social protection and public safety while supporting employment and household welfare.

WHAT COMES NEXT

Zambia is moving from debt stabilization to growth ex*****on.

The next phase increasingly depends on private-sector investment in mining, manufacturing, agriculture and energy translating etc into jobs, higher productivity, stronger incomes, exports and improved household purchasing power.

“Debt restructuring has given Zambia breathing space. Our responsibility is now to protect these gains through fiscal discipline, prudent borrowing and productive investment that improves people’s lives,” Mr. NKULUKUSA said.

In conclusion, Zambia is paying substantially less to service restructured external debt.

The policy test now is whether the resulting fiscal space and restored stability can be converted into sustained investment, employment and measurable improvements in household living standards.

Ministry of Finance and National Planning, , Lusaka-Zambia

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