Demanding Substance Over Rhetoric: Zambia’s Urgent Need for Sustainable Solutions
By Sunday Chilufya Chanda
As Zambia grapples with a rapidly changing socio-economic landscape, it is clear that the era of political theatrics must give way to an era of pragmatic, issue-based leadership at Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government levels. Citizens must demand better from politicians, not just slogans and promises, but substance, foresight, and a commitment to sustainable development.
The challenges Zambia faces are immense, but they are not insurmountable. They require leaders with the courage to think beyond election cycles and the humility to listen to the people they serve. As 2026 approaches, it is time for Zambians to raise the bar and insist on leaders who bring more than charisma to the table. We need leaders with a clear plan, measurable goals, and the resolve to confront the root causes of our national challenges.
1. Economic Diversification: From Rhetoric to Reality
For decades, Zambia has spoken of diversifying its economy from copper dependence to agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Yet, the reality remains that copper still accounts for over 70% of export earnings. This over-reliance on a single commodity exposes the country to the volatility of global copper prices.
The Solution:
Diversification requires a deliberate, well-funded industrialization strategy. Zambia must create value chains around its natural endowments. For example:
• Agriculture:
Agro-processing centers should be established in rural areas to add value to raw produce. This will create jobs, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost exports.
• Tourism:
Beyond Victoria Falls, Zambia has an untapped treasure trove of natural wonders. The development of tourism infrastructure, especially in rural districts, could make Zambia a prime destination for eco-tourism.
• Manufacturing:
Policies must incentivize local manufacturing. A country that produces its own fertilizers, machinery, and everyday goods is more resilient to external shocks.
2. Youth Unemployment: A Ticking Time Bomb
With over 70% of Zambia’s population under the age of 35, youth unemployment poses a serious threat to social cohesion. Each year, thousands of graduates join the labor market with few formal jobs available. The informal sector is overburdened, and disillusionment among young people is growing.
The Solution:
Youth unemployment requires structural changes in the education system, industrial policy, and entrepreneurial support. Key interventions include:
• Skills Development:
Establish skills training centres in every district, offering practical training in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, mechanics, and modern agriculture.
• Business Support:
Increase access to capital for youth-led startups. Instead of merely handing out loans, support young people with mentorship, incubation hubs, and market access.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):
Encourage the private sector to play a bigger role in job creation. Policies must be put in place to incentivize companies that hire youth or provide apprenticeships.
3. Rural Development: A Matter of National Urgency
For too long, rural areas have been neglected in Zambia’s development agenda. While urban centers receive most of the infrastructure and investment, the rural heartland, which produces the bulk of the nation’s food remains underdeveloped. Poor roads, inadequate healthcare, and limited access to electricity hinder the potential of rural Zambia.
The Solution:
Rural development should be the new frontier of Zambia’s development agenda. This requires:
• Infrastructure Investment: Feeder roads, bridges, mini-hospitals, and modern markets must be prioritized in rural districts. Improved connectivity will unlock rural economic potential and reduce rural-urban migration.
• Rural Electrification: Providing electricity to rural areas will unlock opportunities for agro-processing, cottage industries, and improved healthcare delivery. Solar energy should play a pivotal role.
• Agricultural Mechanization: Agriculture remains the backbone of Zambia’s economy, but many smallholder farmers still rely on outdated tools. Access to tractors, irrigation equipment, and modern inputs must be prioritized.
4. Debt Sustainability: Break the Cycle of Borrowing
Zambia’s debt burden is a stark reminder of the cost of borrowing without sustainable repayment strategies. Debt restructuring has brought temporary relief, but without fiscal discipline, the country risks falling into another debt trap.
The Solution:
Zambia must chart a path toward debt sustainability. This involves:
• Transparent Borrowing:
All debt agreements must be transparent and subjected to proper parliamentary oversight.
• Fiscal Discipline:
Reduce non-essential spending and curb wasteful expenditures. If funds are borrowed, they should be directed toward projects with clear, measurable returns.
• Revenue Mobilization:
Zambia needs to improve domestic revenue collection by sealing tax leakages and promoting the formalization of informal sector activities.
5. Healthcare Reform: Beyond Clinics, Towards Universal Access
While strides have been made in healthcare infrastructure, many rural communities remain without access to healthcare. Maternal and child mortality rates remain high, and access to specialists and advanced medical services is limited to urban areas.
The Solution:
Healthcare reform must prioritize access, equity, and quality of service. Key interventions include:
• District Hospitals:
Every district should have at least one fully equipped hospital with specialized services. Mini-hospitals can cater to chiefdoms and rural outposts.
• Human Resources:
Increase the number of healthcare workers, especially nurses, midwives, and doctors, in rural areas.
• Affordable Healthcare:
Expand the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover vulnerable groups and reduce out-of-pocket costs for essential health services.
6. Education Reform: Building Minds for the Future
A 21st-century Zambia requires a 21st-century education system. However, many schools lack basic infrastructure such as classrooms, desks, and access to technology. The curriculum is also misaligned with the job market, leaving graduates unprepared for the workforce.
The Solution:
Education reform must address both access and quality. Key areas of focus include:
• Curriculum Reform:
Align education with market demands by including technical and vocational training in secondary education.
• School Infrastructure:
Prioritize the construction of additional classrooms, dormitories, and sanitation facilities, especially in rural areas.
• Technology in Education:
Embrace e-learning and ensure that students in rural areas have access to internet-enabled devices and connectivity.
7. Leadership and Accountability: No More Excuses
Finally, at the heart of all these challenges is the issue of leadership. Zambia’s politics must shift from personality-driven campaigns to issue-based campaigns. Citizens must demand accountability, transparency, and vision from their leaders. Leaders must be judged not by how many rallies they hold, but by how many projects they complete.
The Solution:
To achieve this, citizens must demand more from their elected officials. Key actions include:
• Social Accountability:
Communities should monitor and demand timely updates on projects funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
• Issue-Based Campaigns:
Citizens should reject politicians who offer slogans without substance. Elections should be won on merit, not on the volume of campaign songs and mudslinging.
• Legislative Reforms:
Strengthen oversight institutions such as the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to ensure public resources are not misappropriated.
The Call to Action
Zambians deserve better. While challenges abound, so do opportunities. But to seize these opportunities, citizens must demand issue-based leadership and reject the politics of populism. This is not a call for cynicism; it is a call for action.
The next elections must be a referendum on ideas, not personalities. Leaders must be called to present clear, coherent, and well-researched development plans. Empty promises should be met with firm resistance. Citizens must insist on roadmaps with timelines, targets, and accountability measures.
The path to Zambia’s prosperity is not hidden: it requires courage, discipline, and a collective will to embrace reform. Our challenges are well known. Our solutions are within reach. What remains is for citizens to demand the substance required to transform rhetoric into reality.
About the Author:
Sunday Chilufya Chanda is a Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya Constituency. He is passionate about rural development, youth empowerment, and the transformation of Zambia’s political landscape into a model of visionary and disciplined leadership.