HH  Named Among World Leaders of 2025

By Joy Nyambe

President Hakainde Hichilema has been named among The Telegraph’s World Leaders of 2025, in recognition of his efforts to steer Zambia towards economic recovery and stability.

According to The Telegraph, judges on the awards panel observed that President Hichilema has led a remarkable turnaround, transforming Zambia from what was once described as an economic basket case into a model of reform and discipline.

In his four years in office, President Hichilema has demonstrated economic probity and fiscal discipline, while skilfully navigating complex geopolitical relations between Eastern and Western partners.

The publication recalls that in November 2020, Zambia became the first African nation to default on debt repayments during the pandemic. Although recovery began, the economy was later hit by severe drought linked to El Niño, affecting agriculture and hydroelectric power generation.

Despite these challenges, Zambia is now close to completing a drawn-out debt revamp, sharply cutting repayments and giving government breathing space.

Economic growth is projected at 5.8% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026, while the mining industry is tipped to record historic production and revenue levels.

The Telegraph further notes that President Hichilema has restored investor confidence, instituted fiscal prudence, reformed key institutions, revitalised the mining sector, and stabilised the economy.

Work Together, Mwamba Pleads with Opposition

Senior Patriotic Front member of the Central Committee, Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba has repeated his earlie plea for the Opposition to demonstrate unity and actively work together to defeat the ruling UPND.

He bemoaned that the Opposition were fielding numerous candidates there by splitting the votes.

“Why can’t we work together? Kasama Mayoral race will be like Chawama where the Opposition have fielded 3 strong candidates. This will give undue advantage to the ruling UPND”.

The Chawama By-elevtion has attracted; Morgan Muunda (United Party for National Development – UPND), Bright Nundwe (Forum for Democracy and Development – FDD)
Alfred Ndeweni (Exodus Party for Peace and Prosperity – EPPP)
James Phiri (National Democratic Congress – NDC),Davison Mulenga (Citizens First – CF) Ntazana Musukuma (Leadership Movement – LM) George Mwenya (Independent) and Elijah Siatwambo (Independent).

With or without paper, PF shall hold convention, vows Lubinda

PF faction leader Given Lubinda has vowed that with or without PF president Robert Chabinga’s Lugwalo, the party shall hold its convention.

Addressing journalists in Livingstone recently, Lubinda stated that the owner of PF is not Chabinga and his paper but the people who choose leaders.

He warned that as long as party supporters do not live at the registrar of societies, his faction will not be stopped to hold a convention.

“The Patriotic Front is not a certificate. The PF are the members, the ones who go to the convention. With or without a paper, the Patriotic Front is going to the convention and the Patriotic Front are not at the registrar of society’s office.”

“The Patriotic Front is not in court, the PF is in the hearts of prople. With or without Robert Chabinga’s threats, the PF is going to the convention to elect its leader and members of the central committee and they will do that under my watch. The PF is going to have a convention, mark my word,” he promised.

He said his faction was on the ground where the real opposition are stationed.

“We are on the ground and the real opposition in Zambia is not even the PF, the real opposition are those who are going 22 hours without power. Those whose maize was delivered in March and have not been paid by [now],” he stated.

Lubinda said the UPND administration can brag with its might but the best opposition are the people.

“Our confidence is in the people who are suffering,” stated Lubinda. https://kalemba.news/politics/with-or-without-paper-pf-shall-hold-convention-vows-lubinda/

By Catherine Pule

Kalemba, December 27, 2025

DELAY IN HOLDING CONVENTION CAUSING CONFUSION IN PF – MUNDUBILE

PF aspiring Presidential candidate Brian Mundubile says the confusion in the party will calm down once it holds the convention and a leader is chosen.

He says the PF needs a credible process to hold the convention.

Mundubile adds that he is disappointed with the six MPs who voted in favour of Bill 7, who are part of the 29 lawmakers who endorsed him for party president.

Responding to a question on KBN TV, Thursday, about whether divisions in the party were likely to end with members coming together, Mundubile said the PF remained the alternative government despite its internal differences, which he described as normal in politics.

“There has to be an end to it sooner than later. The Zambian people out there are looking at the opposition led by the Patriotic Front as the alternative government. The Zambian people have made up their minds that the UPND has got to go. So, what we have; we have differences and differences in political parties are normal especially when there is contestation.

I’m one of those that has applied to stand for party presidency. Of course many others have done the same so when you look at these divisions, it’s very important to interrogate what may be causing these tensions and divisions within the party.

If you’ve tracked the happenings within the party, you’ll agree with me that the delayed convention, the general conference that should have been held first, I think in 2022, two to three years later still has not been held. Naturally, the contestation has raised some tensions as expected,” he said.

“So, going forward, if you ask me whether we are going to see the end to this, we have to see the end to this. And we are going to see the end to this the moment the convention is held. We really have no choice. Personally, as a person contesting in this, I want to say this and put it on record that I would like to see an end to these squabbles.

I would like to see an end to this tension. So, what is important is that you don’t start by saying can we come together and go to the convention. What is creating the confusion is the delayed convention. All we need is a credible process, an accountable process to the convention. Once the convention is held, a leader will be elected. Once a leader is elected, all this confusion will calm down”.

Meanhwile, Mundubile said the MPs who voted in favour of Bill 7 disappointed him and their constituents.

“Well firstly, I know you referred to the 29 MPs that had endorsed me and out of that, six MPs actually voted for the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7. What is important to note is that these are representatives of the people. Yes, they endorsed me but most importantly, it must be understood that these are representatives of the people.

So, in as much as they went their way against the guidance that I was giving, they disappointed the whole nation especially the people from their respective constituencies, the people that sent them to Parliament to come and represent them. I think that should be emphasised; that these are representatives of the people that went against the aspirations and wishes of the Zambian people generally and specifically the people from their constituencies that sent them to Parliament,” said Mundubile.

“I was very disappointed like every other Zambian especially given that I put in a lot of effort. If you remember, we actually set up a mini parliament so to speak at our offices where we allowed these members of parliament to come and speak against Bill 7.

We had discussions and they agreed with the Oasis Forum, they agreed with the Zambian people that the process leading to Bill 7 was illegal, it was illegitimate and on account of the ConCourt judgement, it was null and void. So, I was obviously very disappointed, I still remain very disappointed with that decision”.

News Diggers

Opposition Confidence & The Electoral Reality

Makebi Zulu’s recent media interventions offer a clear window into how sections of the opposition are reading the road to 2026. At the centre of his argument is a firm belief that President Hakainde Hichilema is heading into a difficult re-election bid, despite constitutional changes, incumbency, and institutional control. It is a narrative anchored less in electoral arithmetic and more in political conviction, frustration, and distrust of state power.

Makebi’s core claim rests on the presidential threshold. He insists that the President cannot secure the constitutionally required 50 plus one of valid votes cast, arguing that the erosion of living standards has hollowed out the goodwill that carried Hichilema into office in 2021.

“As things stand it is impossible for President Hakainde to get 50 plus one votes,” he said, framing the coming election as a referendum on unfulfilled promises around mealie meal prices, fuel costs, electricity supply, and jobs. In this reading, Bill 7 and the expansion of constituencies do not alter the presidential contest itself, because the head of state is elected on a national tally, not parliamentary arithmetic.

Zulu dismisses suggestions that the revised electoral map guarantees a second term, calling that assumption politically lazy.

From the opposition’s perspective, the expansion of constituencies serves a different purpose. Zulu portrays it as a defensive move designed to protect sitting MPs within the ruling party from internal competition and independents, rather than a decisive presidential strategy. This interpretation reflects a broader opposition belief that the UPND is managing risk within Parliament while remaining vulnerable at the presidential level.

Whether this distinction holds in practice remains contested, but it explains why opposition rhetoric continues to focus on the presidency rather than parliamentary numbers.

The deeper anxiety in Zulu’s remarks, however, lies with the Patriotic Front itself. He openly acknowledges the possibility that PF may not appear on the 2026 ballot in its current form. Court cases, leadership disputes, and regulatory exposure have forced the opposition to contemplate contingencies.

“We are really prepared that we are going to move together with the people of Zambia on a vehicle that we dare not disclose at this particular time,” Zulu said, signalling the existence of a parallel political platform designed as insurance against deregistration or legal paralysis.

According to Makebi, the secrecy is deliberate, framed as protection against what he describes as state pressure and victimisation of office bearers.

This strategy reflects a defensive posture rather than electoral dominance. Preparing an alternative “vehicle” is not the language of a movement confident in its institutional strength. It is the language of survival. Zulu himself concedes that the opposition will continue to fight for PF, but “not oblivious” to the risk that it may be structurally weakened before nominations open. This admission places opposition confidence in a narrower frame.

The belief in regime change coexists with acknowledgement of serious organisational vulnerability.

On unity, Zulu strikes a conciliatory tone while revealing the scale of the problem. He admits that the passage of Bill 7 damaged public trust, not only in government but in opposition MPs who voted with the ruling party. Rebuilding that trust, he says, is now central to opposition strategy. The emphasis is on substance rather than personality, with a return to cost of living, power shortages, and economic pressure as the core campaign message.

This mirrors sentiments expressed by other opposition figures, including Fred M’membe, who recently acknowledged that ego and personal ambition have repeatedly undermined opposition alliances.

Zulu’s framing of the current political environment as sliding toward authoritarianism further explains the opposition’s posture. He describes a state increasingly reliant on cyber laws, surveillance, and public order enforcement to manage dissent, arguing that these tools are being deployed because the President is insecure about his record.

This belief underpins the opposition’s conviction that elections remain winnable despite institutional headwinds. In their view, popular discontent will override structural disadvantage.

What emerges from Zulu’s position is not a unified opposition strategy, but a shared belief. This belief holds that incumbency is brittle, economic pain is decisive, and constitutional engineering cannot manufacture legitimacy. It is a belief reinforced by internal conversations, not yet by electoral tests under the new system. The opposition’s confidence, therefore, is aspirational rather than empirical.

The gap between belief and outcome will be closed by numbers, organisation, funding, and voter mobilisation. As it stands, the opposition speaks with certainty about presidential weakness while simultaneously planning for legal exclusion, fragmentation, and secrecy.

This tension defines the opposition mood heading into 2026. Confident in diagnosis, cautious in execution, and still searching for a structure that can carry belief into ballots.

© The People’s Brief | Editors

By Kellys Kaunda

BEWARE OF SOME ISSUES IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO GO UP AGAINST HH IN THE AUGUST 2026 ELECTIONS

Economic fundamentals such as inflation and the exchange rate have stabilized.

Stability in these variables facilitates economic planning.

Foreign reserves have grown significantly meaning that importers will always bring into the country whatever they want and debt repayments are assured.

This is important to keep the country linked to the international economy.

The external debt has largely been restructured so Zambia can access international debt which is essential to supplement local resources.

You attack and demonize the above economic achievements at the risk of being labeled uninformed.

Beyond these economic fundamentals, there’s a wide range of public policies, programs and projects that the UPND government has achieved or embarked upon which I recommend any one who wants to go up against HH in the forthcoming elections to engage.

The student meal allowances were restored; CDF increased significantly; increase in social cash transfer; strong performance of the mining sector; recent acceleration in solar power projects to increase power supply; annual recruitment in the public service; etc.

In engaging any of the above issues, my take would be to avoid wholesale condemnation as this will naturally elicit the now-familiar response from the UPND: what are your policy alternatives..

This is the challenge the
must rise to.

On this score, you shall know whether opponents are ready to govern as an alternative government.

Without giving out my own ideas freely (I earn a living by providing consultancy in the public policy area), I can only give a hint.

Under the UNDP activities in Zambia is a program focusing on innovation.

Unique ideas aimed at resolving public policy problems are encouraged and funded.

Countries have developed on innovation – creativity, inventions, new ideas and new approaches.

This is what must be brought to the discussion table during the forthcoming elections.

But this is not just for the opposition.  It’s for the UPND government as well lest they think they have arrived.

What politicians in Zambia don’t do which their counterparts in the west do is to hire policy experts to inform their public discourse.

Our politicians are satisfied with their pedestrian arguments leading to dry and repetitive ideas and election promises.

Already, the public discourse is filled with familiar stories which tells the rest of us that the country, under whichever politicians will be elected, will largely remain the same.

Zambians must understand that they are yet to see development informed by innovative ideas.

What they have been treated to so far by any government, the current one included, is almost nothing.

Let there be a difference in the public discourse this time around.

POLITICAL ACTIVIST SAYS ZAMBIA’S PRE-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT ‘GLOOMY’ AHEAD OF 2026

Political activist Brebner Changala has described Zambia’s current political atmosphere as “gloomy and interesting” as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections.

Speaking to Phoenix News in an interview, Mr. Changala has expressed concern that the political situation is becoming increasingly tense and requires careful attention from all stakeholders.

He notes that the political environment has been marked by growing restrictions on democratic activities, particularly affecting opposition political parties, further noting that public assemblies and political mobilization have become difficult, creating an uneven political playing field ahead of the polls.

Mr. Changala has since urged government to reflect on the democratic principles that brought it to power and to allow a free, fair, and competitive electoral process.

He has emphasized that maintaining peace and stability depends on respecting democratic rights as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections.

PN

THE DOLLAR ERA ENDS: HOW TO NAVIGATE THE NEW BOZ CURRENCY DIRECTIVES.

By Kamphembele Ngulube

If a transaction happens in Zambia, it settles in Kwacha.

The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has officially drawn a line in the sand. As of December 26, 2025, the Currency Directives, 2025 are in force. This marks the end of an era where local businesses could demand foreign currency for local goods and services.

This isn’t a surprise move; it follows the February 2024 announcement and extensive consultations across mining, finance, and agriculture. But now that it is law, the question is: How do you protect your business while staying compliant?
Under Section 18 of the BoZ Act, any transaction that originates and settles within Zambia must be contracted and paid in ZMW (Kwacha/Ngwee). Whether you are selling real estate, rentals, consulting services, or agricultural produce, if the buyer and seller are in Zambia, the money changing hands cannot be USD. Simple core rule to remember; domestic means domestic.

No

The law allows you to display or index your prices in dollars. This is the most critical detail for entrepreneurs protecting their margins. You are not banned from thinking in dollars.

You are still permitted to quote or index your prices in USD to protect against depreciation. However, the final execution involves a crucial conversion:
The Invoice: Can reference a USD base price.

The Payment: Must be executed in Kwacha at the prevailing exchange rate.
For years, Zambian businesses used dollarization as a “lazy hedge” against inflation. It was an easy way to avoid doing the math on currency risk.
That safety net is gone. This directive forces business owners to sharpen their financial planning. You need dynamic pricing models that account for daily exchange rate fluctuations. If you were relying solely on collecting hard currency to stay afloat, your business model needs an immediate audit.

Why is BoZ doing this? It is a move toward monetary sovereignty. By forcing settlements into Kwacha, the central bank gains better leverage over inflation and interest rates. A domestic market that actually uses its own currency is less exposed to global volatility.

The long term goal is to stabilize the cost of doing business for everyone.
Do not wait until your next transaction to figure this out. Execute these three steps today:

Audit Your Contracts: Review all active agreements. If they demand settlement in USD, they are now non compliant.

Update Payment Terms: Ensure your invoices explicitly state that while prices may be indexed to USD, “Settlement will be executed in ZMW at the prevailing spot rate.”

Refine Your Pricing Strategy: Move away from static pricing. Implement systems that allow you to adjust ZMW prices quickly in response to market shifts.