Hichilema Wins Second Term With Big Economic Promises

President HH Faces Pressure to Turn Economic Recovery Into Jobs and Better Living Standards

President Hakainde Hichilema has secured a second term in office after winning Zambia’s August 13, 2026 presidential election, giving him another five years to pursue his economic recovery agenda and deliver on promises to create jobs, expand opportunities and improve living standards.

Official results from the Electoral Commission of Zambia show that Hichilema won with about 61 percent of the vote, defeating his main challenger, Brian Mundubile, who received roughly 38 percent. The result gives Hichilema a clear mandate to continue leading the country after his first term, which was dominated by efforts to address Zambia’s debt crisis and restore confidence in the economy. (Al Jazeera)

Came Into Power 2021

Hichilema came to power in 2021 after defeating then-President Edgar Lungu, taking over an economy that had defaulted on its external debt in 2020. During his first term, his administration negotiated major debt restructuring agreements with creditors and worked to restore relations with international financial institutions. His government has also promoted investment in the mining sector, particularly copper, which remains one of Zambia’s most important sources of foreign exchange.

The economic changes have been welcomed by supporters who argue that Zambia has moved away from the severe financial pressures experienced before 2021. The country has made progress on debt restructuring and has sought to attract new investment, while the government has also expanded social programmes. Free education has been one of the administration’s major policies, with the government reporting a significant increase in school enrolment following the removal of tuition fees.

However, Hichilema’s second term comes with significant pressure. Despite improvements in some macroeconomic indicators, many households continue to face high food and living costs. Unemployment and limited opportunities, particularly for young people, remain major concerns. Reuters reported that dissatisfaction over the cost of living remained an important issue during the election campaign, despite the government’s economic recovery efforts. (Reuters)

Goals For The Second Term

The President has therefore entered his second term promising to go beyond economic stabilisation and focus more strongly on economic expansion. One of the major ambitions associated with his second-term agenda is to double the size of Zambia’s economy, while creating more employment opportunities and expanding the ability of households and businesses to participate in economic growth. (Reuters)

The copper industry is expected to remain central to this strategy. Zambia is one of Africa’s leading copper producers, and the government has been seeking increased production and investment as global demand for critical minerals grows. Expanding mining output could bring more foreign exchange into the country while creating opportunities across the wider economy if investment is linked to local businesses, employment and value addition.

At the same time, Hichilema’s administration will face expectations to ensure that economic growth is felt beyond the mining sector. Small businesses, farmers, workers and young graduates are among those looking for greater access to opportunities and improved household incomes. The challenge for the government will be turning stronger economic indicators into improvements that ordinary citizens can experience in their daily lives.

Hichilema’s political leadership has also faced criticism over democratic freedoms and the treatment of opposition voices. Opposition parties and some civil society and religious groups have accused the government of restricting political space and using law enforcement against critics. Hichilema has rejected claims that his government is suppressing democratic freedoms, maintaining that law enforcement agencies are acting against people who break the law. Recent reporting has again highlighted concerns surrounding political tensions and the treatment of opposition figures during the election period. (AP News)

The 2026 election itself was not without controversy. Vote counting was temporarily disrupted following reports of attacks on election officials and ballot-related incidents, while opposition figures raised concerns about the conduct of authorities. The government and ruling party rejected allegations of wrongdoing. Despite the tensions, Hichilema ultimately secured the required majority to avoid a runoff and will now begin preparing for his second term. (Al Jazeera)

Following his victory, Hichilema has called for unity and promised to work even harder to deliver development across the country. He has also acknowledged that many Zambians continue to face challenges and indicated that his administration must do more to improve living standards.

The next five years will therefore be an important test of the President’s economic vision. Having secured a second mandate on the strength of his record of economic recovery, Hichilema will now be expected to demonstrate that debt restructuring, investment and improved macroeconomic stability can translate into more jobs, stronger household incomes, lower economic pressure and broader opportunities for Zambians.

For many citizens, the question is no longer simply whether Zambia’s economy can recover from its previous crisis, but whether that recovery can produce tangible benefits for ordinary people. Hichilema’s second term will ultimately be judged by how successfully his government answers that question.