By Maxwell Shumba President Hakainde Hichilema has been named among The Telegraph’s World Leaders of 2025, a global recognition that places Zambia’s head of state among influential leaders shaping the world’s political and economic direction. The honour reflects not just personal leadership, but a broader story of national recovery, reform, and resilience after years of economic distress. From Economic Crisis to Global Recognition When President Hichilema assumed office in August 2021, Zambia was grappling with one of the most difficult economic periods in its history. The country had defaulted on its external debt in November 2020, becoming the first African nation to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public finances were strained, investor confidence was fragile, inflation was high, and essential public services were under pressure. According to The Telegraph, Zambia was widely viewed at the time as an “economic basket case.” However, four years later, the narrative has change...
The long and painful wait for answers has taken a significant turn following the arrest of a suspect linked to the tragic murder of two Zambian businesswomen whose lives were cut short during a cross-border trading trip to Malawi. Police in Chipata, Eastern Province, have confirmed the detention of a 60-year-old man, identified as Chola Bwalya, of Garden House area in Lusaka, in connection with the gruesome killings that occurred in October 2025 in Mchinji District, Malawi. The Arrest and Current Status Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba announced that the suspect was apprehended in Lusaka on Christmas Eve and has since been transferred to Chipata Central Police Station, where he is currently being held as investigations continue. The arrest comes after months of coordinated investigations involving Zambian law enforcement authorities following the violent deaths of Agness Bwalya and Jane Lungu, both Zambian nationals engaged in small-scale cross-border trade....