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President Hakainde Hichilema has set an ambitious target for Zambia's economic future, declaring that his administration aims to more than double the nation's economy post the August 13, 2026 general elections. Speaking at the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) national delivery day held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, President Hichilema emphasized the government's commitment to robust economic growth. This bold projection comes as Zambia's economy recorded a 4.5% growth in the first quarter of 2025, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting a 6.2% growth for the current year, signaling a positive trajectory. The Presidential Delivery Unit, established in March 2023, is central to this vision. Its mandate is to expedite the implementation of presidential priorities and elevate the living standards of Zambians through tangible, measurable outcomes. The President's remarks underscore a strategic focus on leveraging national resources and provincial strengths, urging regions to harness their natural endowments and comparative advantages to stimulate local economic development. This decentralized approach is expected to contribute significantly to the national growth agenda. While the President's statement injects a strong sense of optimism and direction, it also places a significant emphasis on the upcoming 2026 elections, framing the economic doubling as a post-electoral achievement contingent on the continued support of the Zambian people. The administration's focus on structured delivery through the PDU, coupled with encouraging economic indicators, suggests a concerted effort to translate political promises into tangible economic prosperity for all Zambians.
President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration is working to double Zambia's economy post the August 13 general elections. Speaking at the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) national delivery day at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Mr Hichilema said: "We want to grow the economy and double it. With our decision now, God willing, courtesy of the people of Zambia, post 13 August 2026, this year, God's will, courtesy of the people of Zambia, we are in sight to more than double this economy." The PDU was established in March 2023 to accelerate the delivery of presidential priorities and improve Zambians' living standards through measurable results. Zambia's economy grew by 4.5% in the first quarter of 2025, and the International Monetary Fund has projected 6.2% growth this year. The President urged provinces to use their natural endowments and comparative advantage to grow their local economies.
Original Source:
https://www.mwebantu.com/zambias-economy-to-double-post-2026-general-elections-says-hh/
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Jubilee Metals is significantly expanding its Molefe copper project in Zambia, aiming to increase mining rates from 15,000 to 60,000 tons per quarter. This involves a four-month stripping program to combine two pits into a larger open pit, targeting a broader copper reef package with 1.4% total copper. Phase 2 drilling will further explore the eastern extension, with construction and first production expected within 12 months. This expansion highlights Zambia's strategic shift in its mining model, focusing on faster development and tighter integration from mine to processing. The Molefe ramp-up exemplifies this approach, with premium ore directly feeding Jubilee's Sable Refinery for processing. This strategy is crucial as Zambia aims to increase its copper output to one million tons in 2026 and eventually to three million tons annually by 2031, positioning mid-tier mine developments as key drivers for this ambitious goal.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a significant initiative to boost participation in Zambia's capital markets. The SEC aims to grow market engagement from the current 1.7 million people to five million over the next decade. To achieve this, the commission has decided to waive all listing fees for the first 10 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that choose to list on the market. This move is designed to encourage small businesses to access capital markets, thereby fostering economic growth and diversification. SEC Chief Executive Officer Philip Chitalu highlighted that the current 1.7 million participants represent a substantial increase from just a few years ago, attributing this growth to effective policies. Chitalu, speaking on ZNBC's Sunday Interview, noted that capital market participation has surged from approximately 0.3 percent of the adult population to about 13 percent, indicating a successful expansion from less than 100,000 to 1.7 million people. The waiver of fees for SMEs is expected to further accelerate this positive trend.
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