MANIFESTO FOR THE PEOPLE: PRESIDENT HICHILEMA UNVEILS BOLD BLUEPRINT

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has launched the ruling party’s election manifesto with a decisive pledge to double the size of the Zambian economy, permanently end load-shedding, and create millions of new jobs across the country.

Speaking during the official launch in Lusaka, the Head of State described the policy document as a practical, citizen-centred roadmap engineered to drive inclusive growth, lower the cost of living, and integrate Zambia into the global economic arena.

Reflecting on his administration’s journey, President Hichilema recalled the challenging environment under which the government assumed office.

“Five years ago, you trusted us to lead during a national crisis. Together, through hard work, faith, and patriotism, we began rebuilding our nation. This manifesto was written for you and will be delivered for you,” President Hichilema said.

Highlighting major economic milestones achieved so far, the President revealed that 94 per cent of Zambia’s debt has been restructured, inflation is on a downward trend, the Kwacha has stabilised, and national reserves have reached historic highs.

He further disclosed that the government has successfully created over one million jobs, restored free education for more than 2.5 million children, the majority of whom are female, reclaimed markets from violence, and increased tourism numbers from 500,000 to over two million visitors.

Looking ahead to the next chapter, the President outlined ambitious national production targets, including generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity, mining three million tonnes of copper, and producing 10 million tonnes of maize, three million tonnes of soya, and one million tonnes of wheat. He also projected a one-billion-United States-dollar beef export industry and an expansion of tourism to five million visitors.

To finance these projects smoothly, the Head of State announced that the government will implement a Business Facilitation Act, introduce performance contracts for public officials, digitise state services, and aggressively expand public-private partnerships.

“We have delivered, but much more remains to be done. The mission to develop Zambia is greater than any individual ambition. We have started the change; together, let us finish the job,” the President urged.

President Hichilema called on all citizens to protect national peace and stability ahead of the polls, urging them to completely reject tribalism, hatred, and lawlessness, and never return to corruption or reckless borrowing.