HICHILEMA SWORN IN FOR SECOND TERM, UNVEILS 'GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA'.
President Hichilema took the oath of office before thousands of Zambians and regional and international dignitaries following his victory in the August 2026 Presidential election.
The oath was administered by Chief Justice Mumba Malila, SC, during a colourful inauguration ceremony at which Mrs W.K. Mutale Nalumango was also sworn in as Vice President in accordance with the Constitution.
In his inaugural address, President Hichilema said his second term would focus on expanding economic opportunities, creating jobs, attracting investment, strengthening human capital and ensuring that economic growth translates into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
He described the new mandate as a national responsibility rather than a personal victory.
“This mandate, therefore, belongs not to HH but to the people of Zambia,” President Hichilema said.
President Hichilema said his administration would build on economic reforms undertaken during his first term, which he credited with stabilising the economy, strengthening investor confidence, reducing inflation and stabilising the Kwacha.
He, however, acknowledged that economic stability had not yet provided sufficient relief to every household, particularly amid continued concerns over the cost of living.
The President said the next five years would therefore be centred on growth, expansion, opportunity and prosperity, with increased production and wealth creation forming the foundation of the national agenda.
At the centre of the agenda is the 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 framework, which targets 10 million tonnes of maize, 10,000 megawatts of electricity, five million tourist arrivals, three million tonnes of copper, three million tonnes of soybeans, one million tonnes of wheat, one million tonnes of sugar and at least one billion United States dollars in beef exports.
President Hichilema said the targets were intended to stimulate investment, increase production, create employment, expand business opportunities and raise Government revenue.
He stressed that economic growth must improve the livelihoods of citizens.
“Economic growth must mean something at the dinner table to all our people. It must mean a job to a graduate, a market for a farmer and a marketeer selling any merchandise,” he said.
The President also reaffirmed his commitment to free education, improved healthcare, social protection and decentralisation, while pledging continued investment in education, skills development and health.
He said women and young people would remain central to the Government’s development agenda and pledged that no province would be left behind.
President Hichilema extended a hand to political opponents and on national unity, saying citizens who voted against him should not be treated as enemies.
“The person who voted against us is not our enemy. He is our brother,She is our sister,They are fellow Zambians,” he said.
He urged political actors to accept differences as part of democracy and cautioned against allowing political competition to undermine peace, security and national stability.
“The election is now behind us, the country before us belongs to us all,” President Hichilema said.
He further directed public officers to place national interests above personal considerations and called for integrity, accountability and patriotism in the execution of public duties.