Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has won his party’s ticket to seek a second term in the country’s presidential election.
President Hichilema was officially declared the leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and its presidential candidate at the party’s 2026 general assembly in Lusaka on Wednesday, 15 April.
He was the only aspirant for the party’s ticket, making him an unopposed candidate.
President Hichilema said he was “humbled” by the party’s decision, which he described as an “honour”.
A statement from State House quoted President Hichilema as hoping to “win big” during the general elections on 13 August to consolidate the “gains” of his government, with a focus on job creation.
The 63-year-old president said his candidacy is for “every Zambian who believes in a better Zambia”.
Lungu’s burial
Hichilema came to power in 2021 after defeating then-incumbent Edgar Lungu, who died in June 2025 in South Africa.
Lungu’s body remains in Pretoria as a dispute between his family and Hichilema’s government over burial arrangements has blocked its repatriation.
This is one of the issues dominating political discussions in Zambia ahead of the elections.
Hichilema’s challengers include Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile, who was elected the presidential candidate of the main opposition bloc, the Tonse Alliance, MP Given Katuta, who announced she would run as an independent candidate, and Fred M’membe, leader of the Socialist Party.
The economy and Zambia’s dealings with foreign partners are among key campaign issues.
Zambia is rich in minerals such as copper, nickel, manganese, uranium and gold.
It is Africa’s second-largest copper producer, after the Democratic Republic of Congo, and eighth globally.
Copper generates about 15% of Zambia’s GDP and more than 70% of its export earnings, with the country aiming to triple its 2025 output of 890,000 metric tonnes within a decade.
This comes amid surging global demand for the metal, used in solar panels, wind turbines, artificial intelligence systems and defence industry equipment.
Debt crisis
Zambia is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, with the International Monetary Fund predicting growth will reach 5.8% in 2026.
However, it has struggled with a debt crisis, while citizens complain of a rising cost of living and unemployment. More than 70% of Zambia’s 21 million people live in poverty, according to the World Bank.
Nonetheless, President Hichilema remains upbeat about his administration’s record, saying more than $12 billion of investment has flowed into the mining sector alone since 2022.
