HICHILEMA VOWS TO “GROW ZAMBIA” AS HE BEGINS SECOND TERM

LUSAKA, Zambia — President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to use his second term in office to move Zambia from economic stabilisation to sustained growth, saying the country must now focus on expanding opportunities, creating jobs and improving the livelihoods of its people.

Speaking at his inauguration at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, President Hichilema said Zambians had renewed his mandate through the ballot and described the victory as a “sacred responsibility” to serve the entire nation.

Hichilema said his administration’s new focus would be driven by the “Grow Zambia” agenda, built around economic expansion, investment and increased production across key sectors.

He said Zambia would seek to grow and diversify its mining, agriculture, tourism and energy sectors while accelerating infrastructure development and industrial transformation.

At the centre of the agenda is an ambitious production target dubbed “10–10–5–3–3–1–1–1.”

The targets include producing 10 million tonnes of maize, 10,000 megawatts of electricity, five million tourists, three million tonnes of copper, three million tonnes of soya, one million tonnes of wheat, one million tonnes of sugar and generating US$1 billion in beef export revenue.

The President said achieving these targets would more than double the size of Zambia’s economy and create more employment, business opportunities and government revenue for further investment.

He stressed that economic growth must translate into tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives.

“Economic growth must mean something at the dinner table,”

Hichilema said, pointing to better education, employment opportunities, markets for farmers, capital for entrepreneurs and greater opportunities for women in business.

Reflecting on his first term, Hichilema said his government had concentrated on stabilising and revitalising the economy.

He cited economic growth, restructuring of Zambia’s external debt, increased international reserves, reduced inflation and greater investor confidence among the achievements of the first five years.

He also highlighted the stabilisation of the kwacha and the introduction of free education, which he said had resulted in 2.6 million additional children returning to school.

The President acknowledged, however, that many households continued to face a difficult cost-of-living environment and said the benefits of economic stabilisation had not yet been felt by everyone.

He said the second term would therefore focus on ensuring that economic stability translates into broader prosperity.

Hichilema pledged increased investment in education, skills development and healthcare.

He also promised to deepen economic empowerment programmes targeting women and young people while strengthening social protection for vulnerable citizens.

The President further committed his government to accelerating decentralisation, saying more responsibility and resources would be placed in the hands of local communities.

He said no province or district would be left behind in the country’s development agenda.

The President also promised a stronger focus on public-sector accountability and the fight against corruption.

He said his administration would continue transforming the public service into a more effective, efficient and delivery-oriented institution, while ensuring public resources are managed responsibly.

Hichilema said the fight against corruption would intensify and called on public servants to place the national interest above personal interests.

A significant part of the inauguration speech was dedicated to reconciliation following the elections.

Hichilema thanked those who voted for him but also acknowledged citizens who supported other candidates and parties.

He said political differences should not turn Zambians into 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.

The President extended an invitation to political opponents to participate in rebuilding the country, saying his government would listen to good ideas and constructive criticism.

He said the election was now behind the country and that the focus should shift towards national development.

“The campaign is over, but the work of building Zambia continues,” Hichilema said.

On foreign policy, Hichilema said Zambia would continue playing an active and constructive role in the international community.

He said the country’s foreign policy would remain anchored on economic diplomacy, peace, security, stability and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The President reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to working with neighbouring countries, Africa and the wider international community in pursuit of lasting peace.

He also said Zambia would remain an investor-friendly country and a destination of choice for tourists, investors and global partners.

“ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION, ONE PEOPLE”

Closing his address, Hichilema called on Zambians to unite behind the country’s development.

He pledged to serve citizens regardless of political affiliation, region, ethnicity, religion, gender or social status.

He described the new chapter as one that must be built through hard and smart work, greater economic opportunities, quality healthcare, education and stronger social services.

The President concluded with a call for Zambians to move forward together, saying that although political preferences may differ, the country’s future is shared.

“Together, let us continue to make this great Republic a beacon of peace, hope, opportunity and prosperity,” he said.

Hichilema ended by wishing for peace, unity and progress in Zambia, and called on the Almighty to continue blessing the nation.