ZAMBIA HOLDS GENERAL ELECTION WITH HICHILEMA SEEKING SECOND TERM

Zambia held a general election on Thursday in which President Hakainde Hichilema sought a second term. The election included simultaneous voting for the presidency, parliament and local government. Hichilema has led Zambia since 2021 and campaigned on his economic record following the country's sovereign debt default in 2020. His main challenger was Brian Mundubile, a parliamentarian and first-time presidential candidate, who led an opposition alliance backed by supporters of Hichilema's predecessor Edgar Lungu.

A presidential candidate required more than 50 per cent of votes to win outright in the first round; otherwise the top two contenders would proceed to a run-off. Observers widely expected Hichilema to retain office, though his support faced a test from voter frustration over the cost of living. Official figures suggest unemployment stood at around 10 per cent. Analysts noted divisions within the opposition, with candidates from Mundubile's party and his running-mate's party competing against each other in some parliamentary and local races. Whilst economic indicators had improved and inflation had fallen to its lowest level in years, many Zambians reported that they had not felt the benefits in their daily lives.

Officials and investors indicated they expected Hichilema to prevail, with attention focused on whether he could translate the post-default macroeconomic turnaround into job-creating growth during a second term. The election determined leadership across southern Africa's major copper-producing nation as it continues recovery from its 2020 debt default.