Tag Archives: Presidency of Hakainde Hichilema

04Aug/26

Bond Rallies and Blackouts in Zambia

Zambia’s 2026 Election: A High-Stakes Two-Horse Race Decided by Economic Squeeze and Drought

Tue , Aug 04 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Zambia’s general election on August 13, 2026, represents a pivotal, alliance-driven contest that will test the country’s democratic resilience and economic direction. Although fourteen presidential candidates are officially cleared to run, the election is fundamentally a two-horse race between incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and opposition challenger Brian Mundubile. Hichilema enters the race backed by an expanded 15-party UPND Alliance, leveraging the power of incumbency. His challenger, Mundubile—a 55-year-old lawyer, accountant, and former government chief whip—is running under the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) banner after unifying a highly fractured opposition under the Tonse–Pamodzi Alliance. Continue reading

25Feb/26

Analyzing Zambia’s Progress: An Interview with Hakainde Hichilema

Zambia’s Strategic Evolution: From Landlocked to Land-Linked Economic Powerhouse

25 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ —  This is an analysis of John McDermott, The Economist chief Africa correspondent
interview with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema (often referred to as “HH”) ahead of the country’s upcoming August elections,. Hichilema is urging voters to “stay the course,” arguing that his administration has made significant strides in repairing the damage left by his predecessor, Edgar Lungu. He highlights several achievements, including securing a debt restructuring deal, delivering free education, enacting liberal reforms in power and agriculture, and initiating major infrastructure projects like the Lobito Corridor and Tazara railway renovations to transform Zambia into a “land-linked” nation. He also aims for the country to reach 1 million tonnes of copper production this year. Continue reading

29Dec/25

Hakainde Hichilema: Zambia’s Leader at the Centre of a Global Superpower Tug-of-War

Dec. 29, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — Hakainde Hichilema as been ranked as one of the pre-eminent global leaders of 2025. The  Zambian President has successfully positioned his nation as a highly desirable partner amidst the geopolitical competition between the United States and China. High-level diplomatic visits, such as the arrival of the Chinese Premier, underscore the country’s growing strategic importance. Continue reading