President Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in for a second term as Zambia’s President, promising to move the country from economic stabilisation to accelerated growth, job creation and greater prosperity while extending an olive branch to political opponents.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, President Hichilema said the new mandate was not simply a victory for his party, but a responsibility to every Zambian, including those who voted against him.
“The person who voted against us is not our enemy. He is our brother. She is our sister. They are fellow Zambians. Period.”
Hichilema called on his supporters to celebrate the election victory with restraint and dignity, warning against provocation, humiliation and political hostility.
“There must be no taunting, no provocation, and no humiliation of those who voted differently from you and I.”
He said Zambia’s democracy could only remain strong when political differences were settled peacefully and through respected institutions.
“Our democracy is strongest when our institutions are respected, our differences are resolved peacefully and lawfully. Nothing else.”
FROM STABILISATION TO GROWTH
President Hichilema said his second term would focus on taking the gains made during his first five years and translating economic stability into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
“Having done the heavy lifting in our first term, the next five years is all about growth, expansion, opportunities, and prosperity for all our people.”
He branded the new economic direction the “Grow Zambia agenda”, saying government would now concentrate on wealth creation and expanding opportunities across the country.
“We are moving from stabilization to growth.”
Hichilema acknowledged that many Zambian households were still struggling with the cost of living despite improvements in the broader economy.
“We know that many of our families, they have issues, challenges with the cost of living, and that the benefits of our stabilization have not yet been felt at every level.”
“We hear you, the citizens of Zambia. We are listening attentively.”
The President said economic growth must ultimately be felt at household level.
“Economic growth must mean something at the dinner tables to all our people.”
He explained that this should mean jobs for graduates, markets for farmers and customers for businesses.
“It must mean a job to a graduate, a market for a farmer. It must mean customers for a marketeer for whatever merchandise she sells.”
BIG PRODUCTION TARGETS
President Hichilema unveiled an ambitious production-driven vision anchored on what he described as the 10-10-531-1 vision.
Among the targets are 10 million tonnes of maize, 10,000 megawatts of electricity, five million tourist arrivals and three million tonnes of copper, alongside ambitious targets for soybeans, wheat, sugar and beef exports.
“Through this agenda, we have worked our numbers that we will more than double the size of our economy in a few years from now.”
“In essence, we'll be tripling the size of our economy in this five-year term.”
He said the strategy was ultimately about creating jobs, expanding businesses and increasing government revenue for reinvestment.
“No matter how good-hearted one may be to their children, to their families, it is true that you cannot share poverty.”
“We have to do something to address wealth creation.”
MINING, AGRICULTURE, TOURISM AND ENERGY
Hichilema said the government would continue pursuing reforms while aggressively expanding key productive sectors.
“We will grow and diversify our mining sector, agriculture, tourism, energy sectors, amongst others.”
He also promised accelerated infrastructure development and industrial transformation.
“We shall move rapidly to attack these areas to loosen them up.”
The President said the private sector would remain central to Zambia’s economic transformation.
“Work with the private sector.”
FREE EDUCATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL
Reflecting on his first term, Hichilema pointed to free education as one of the administration’s major achievements.
“Free education has become a reality against those who believed it was not possible. Free education is here, and is now protected by law.”
He said the policy had brought millions of children back into school.
“2.6 million of our children are now back in school.”
The President pledged to increase investment in education, skills development and healthcare during the second term.
“Education remains the greatest equalizer, best investment, and indeed inheritance that we can pass to our children.”
‘NO PROVINCE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND’
Hichilema also promised to deepen decentralisation and ensure development reaches communities across Zambia.
“We will strengthen and accelerate decentralization, putting more responsibility and resources in the hands of local communities.”
“No province will be left behind.”
He said government had already identified economic opportunities based on the resource endowments of different provinces.
A CALL FOR A NEW MINDSET
The President urged Zambians to move away from what he described as a culture of dependency and focus more strongly on production, investment and the future.
“As a nation, we have to think differently. We have to think of tomorrow, and not only to consume today and ignore tomorrow. Let us not be a nation of consumers only, but producers as well.”
“For someone to consume, someone must produce.”
CORRUPTION, PUBLIC SERVICE AND DIGITAL GOVERNMENT
Hichilema promised to continue transforming the public service, insisting that government performance should be measured by results rather than simply attendance.
“Delivery doesn't mean reporting for work at eight hours and knocking off at 17 hours. No, no, no, no. It means specific outcomes.”
He also pledged continued investment in digitisation, accountability and professionalism.
“The fight against corruption, I can bet, will continue.”
He called on public officers to put national interests ahead of personal interests.
“Every public officer should put national interests first before their personal interests.”
‘WE EXTEND OUR HANDS TO THOSE WHO OPPOSED US’
In one of the strongest political messages of the inauguration, President Hichilema extended an invitation to his former political competitors.
“Where we disagree, we do so as political competitors, not as enemies.”
“The elections now behind us, the country before us, belongs to us all.”
He said the opposition should remain part of Zambia’s democratic process.
“Where you have good ideas, we will listen. Where you offer constructive criticism, we will hear you.”
“Where national interests call upon us to work together, we should do so without hesitation.”
Hichilema also warned political actors against allowing competition to descend into violence.
“The pursuit of political power must never come at the expense of peace, security, and stability in our country.”
And he delivered a direct message on the value of human life:
“Life is sacred; never tamper with life.”
RUTO: ‘DEMOCRACY IS NOT TESTED WHEN WE AGREE’
Kenyan President William Ruto, one of the African leaders attending the inauguration, congratulated Hichilema and used the occasion to deliver a broader message on democracy and economic transformation.
“Democracy is not tested when we agree. Democracy is tested when we disagree.”
Ruto said elections should determine who governs, but should never determine who belongs to a country.
“Elections are designed to settle who governs. They should never determine who belongs.”
He urged Hichilema to govern both those who supported him and those who did not.
“They all belong equally to Zambia, and they must all have a place in the future.”
Ruto also praised Zambia’s economic reforms, saying Hichilema had confronted difficult economic circumstances without resorting to populism.
“Your choices, my brother, in those difficult moments, demonstrated leadership and statesmanship, not populism.”
But he said the biggest challenge of Hichilema’s second term would be converting stability into prosperity.
“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, in opportunities for young people, and in daily lives of Zambian families.”
Ruto challenged Africa to stop exporting raw materials and importing finished value.
“Africa must industrialize. Africa must manufacture. Africa must add value to what it produces.”
And in a line that captured the broader continental message of the inauguration, he said:
“They gave us freedom. Our duty is to turn that freedom into prosperity.”
MNANGAGWA: ZAMBIA-ZIMBABWE TIES TO DEEPEN
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa congratulated Hichilema on his re-election and pledged continued cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
“My government, the people of Zimbabwe, will continue working with you and your administration towards broadening our bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of our peoples.”
Mnangagwa said the two countries should take greater advantage of regional opportunities.
“Let us harness the opportunities presented to our region and great continent of Africa.”
He also emphasised African ownership of the continent’s development.
“The responsibility to build, develop, modernize, and industrialize our respective countries lies with us.”
AU: ZAMBIA HAS A STRONG DEMOCRATIC RECORD
Representing the African Union Commission Chairperson, Hilda Suka-Mafudze congratulated Hichilema on his second inauguration and described Zambia’s peace, unity, stability and democratic governance as important national assets.
“Zambia has a good record of peace, unity, stability, and democratic governance. These are important national assets.”
She said the AU expected Zambia to continue contributing to continental integration and solidarity.
“We look to Zambia to continue contributing to African unity, integration, and solidarity.”
The AU representative also welcomed Zambia’s economic reforms and called for the next phase to deliver inclusive growth.
“We hope that the next phase will further promote inclusive growth, create opportunities for all citizens, and advance sustainable development.”
‘I WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SERVANT PRESIDENT’
As he closed his address, President Hichilema returned to the central message of service, unity and national development.
“Our purpose remains clear: to uplift the lives, improve well-being, your well-being, and that of every Zambian citizen.”
“We pledge to lead a government in which every voice matters, every citizen is heard.”
“We pledge to lead a government that takes tangible development to all our communities across the country.”
And he made his clearest personal commitment of the day:
“I will continue to be a servant president for all the people of Zambia.”
President Hichilema called on Zambians to put the election behind them and focus on the work ahead.
“The campaign is over, but the work of building Zambia continues.”
His final message was a call for national unity and production-led development:
“Together, let us grow Zambia sustainably for generations to come.”
“Let us not be a nation of consumers only, but producers as well.”
And as the second Hichilema presidency begins, the President closed with the country’s enduring national identity:
“Let us remain one Zambia, one nation, and one people.”
JUST TO UNLOCK YOUR MIND: This is president Hakainde Hichilema's last term as president. He will not be eligible to contest again as the constitution only allows for two terms.
[Brave Heart News | UnlockingMinds]
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