Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to double Zambia’s economy following the August 2026 elections by transforming provinces into key drivers of growth.
Speaking at the Presidential Delivery Unit National Delivery Day in Lusaka, Hichilema pointed to improvements in medicine availability—now exceeding 80 percent—and a decline in maternal mortality as clear signs that government policies are delivering results. The event brought together provincial leaders, civil servants, and private sector stakeholders to assess progress under the Eighth National Development Plan.
The President noted that initiatives such as the Public-Private Dialogue Forum and the Presidential Delivery Unit, introduced in 2023, have shifted the public sector from a passive approach to a more results-driven model. When his administration took office in 2021, he explained, excessive bureaucracy slowed implementation, making structured reforms necessary to improve efficiency across ministries.
Hichilema also highlighted growth in major state-linked companies, including Copperbelt Energy Corporation and ZCCM-Investment Holdings. Their market values have risen significantly between 2021 and 2025, reflecting increased investor confidence. ZCCM-IH Chairperson Phesto Musonda praised the Presidential Delivery Unit for ensuring reforms reach key sectors such as mining, energy, and agriculture.
A central pillar of the strategy is decentralised development, which shifts implementation authority to provincial centres to spread economic activity beyond traditional urban hubs. This aligns with the Eighth National Development Plan’s focus on inclusive growth and resource distribution. Treasury Secretary Felix Nkulukusa added that the revised 2026 Benchmark Bond Policy will improve the predictability and efficiency of domestic bond markets.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the plan, with maize production expected to reach four million tonnes this year. Hichilema emphasised the importance of value addition and expanded market access to maintain farmer incomes and strengthen food security, while also reducing reliance on informal cross-border trade.
“National interest must come before personal interest,” Hichilema said, urging stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The government’s push for provincial empowerment is supported by an increase in the Constituency Development Fund to K40 million per constituency. This funding has enabled thousands of community projects, including new classrooms and health facilities, while also contributing to improved education outcomes.
Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Chipoka Mulenga confirmed that the night travel ban on commercial vehicles will be lifted on April 1, supporting 24-hour operations at the Kazungula One Stop Border Post. The move is expected to enhance cross-border trade, with the Southern Africa Development Community Truckers Association welcoming the decision.
With general elections set for August 2026, the administration faces growing pressure to demonstrate measurable progress. While some opposition figures remain skeptical about the pace of decentralisation, Wynter Kabimba has noted that electoral timelines should not disrupt governance and accountability.
Looking ahead, ambitious targets such as increasing copper production to three million tonnes annually by 2031 and generating $1 billion per year from beef exports will require sustained investment and policy continuity. The Zambia Association of Manufacturers has also called for tailored financing solutions to boost productivity in the manufacturing sector.
The Presidential Delivery Unit will continue to monitor ministry performance against development plan targets, with quarterly public reporting on provincial progress expected to begin next month.
