Hakainde Hichilema’s Presidency So Far: A Detailed Assessment of Reform, Recovery and Governance in Zambia

 By The BalanceHub Editorial Team 

When Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in as Zambia’s seventh Republican President in August 2021, he inherited an economy in distress, a nation burdened by debt, and a population demanding change. His victory marked a significant political transition, ushering in what his administration termed the “New Dawn” government — a promise of economic recovery, institutional reform, and democratic renewal.

Hakainde Hichilema 
The Republic President of Zambia 

Several years into his presidency, it is now possible to assess the direction, priorities, achievements, and challenges of his administration in detail.

Economic Recovery and Debt Restructuring

Perhaps the most urgent task facing President Hichilema at the start of his term was stabilising Zambia’s economy. In 2020, Zambia became Africa’s first COVID-era sovereign default, failing to meet its external debt obligations. By 2021, public debt levels had reached unsustainable levels, investor confidence had weakened, and inflationary pressures were affecting households nationwide.

The administration immediately prioritised re-engagement with international financial institutions, most notably the International Monetary Fund. Securing an IMF Extended Credit Facility programme became central to restoring macroeconomic credibility. The agreement signalled to international markets that Zambia was committed to fiscal reform, transparency, and debt restructuring.

Debt negotiations with bilateral and private creditors were complex and prolonged. However, progress toward restructuring external debt under the G20 Common Framework represented a turning point. The government’s strategy centred on restoring debt sustainability while maintaining essential public services.

Domestically, fiscal consolidation measures were introduced. These included controlling public expenditure, reforming subsidies, improving revenue collection through the Zambia Revenue Authority, and strengthening public financial management systems. While these measures aimed at long-term stability, they also had short-term social implications, particularly as citizens grappled with rising living costs.

Economic growth has shown signs of recovery, particularly in mining — Zambia’s backbone industry. The administration has worked to create a more predictable mining tax regime to attract foreign direct investment. Policy consistency in the mining sector has been a cornerstone of efforts to increase copper production and position Zambia as a key player in the global energy transition, especially given copper’s importance in renewable technologies.

However, cost-of-living pressures, fuel prices, and food inflation remain sensitive issues. For many citizens, the real measure of economic reform is not macroeconomic stability, but improvement in daily living conditions.

Education Reform and the Free Education Policy

One of the most visible and socially impactful reforms under President Hichilema has been the expansion of free education. The removal of user fees at public secondary schools led to a significant surge in enrolment numbers across the country.

This policy was framed not merely as a political promise, but as a long-term investment in human capital development. Increased access to education aims to reduce inequality, especially in rural and low-income communities where school dropout rates were historically high due to financial constraints.

The policy also necessitated increased recruitment of teachers, expanded classroom infrastructure, and higher budgetary allocation to the education sector. While enrolment numbers rose substantially, challenges such as classroom congestion, teaching resource shortages, and infrastructure strain have required continuous policy adjustments.

Nonetheless, the free education initiative remains one of the administration’s flagship achievements, reflecting a broader commitment to inclusive development and social equity.

Agricultural Policy and Climate Resilience

Agriculture remains central to Zambia’s economy and rural livelihoods. President Hichilema’s administration undertook reforms to the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), transitioning toward a more targeted and digitised e-voucher system aimed at improving efficiency and reducing leakages.

The government has also emphasised diversification beyond maize, encouraging production of alternative crops and promoting value addition. In addition, irrigation development and water harvesting initiatives have gained prominence, especially in response to recurring droughts linked to climate change.

Recent drought conditions have posed serious threats to food security and hydroelectric power generation, given Zambia’s reliance on water-based energy sources. In response, the administration has increased focus on climate adaptation strategies, energy diversification, and private sector participation in renewable energy projects.

However, the agricultural sector continues to face structural challenges, including input costs, market access constraints, and vulnerability to climate variability.

Digital Transformation and Infrastructure Development

The Hichilema administration has placed strong emphasis on digital transformation as a driver of economic modernization. Expansion of Zambia’s fiber optic network — which has significantly increased in coverage in recent years — reflects efforts to enhance connectivity, improve service delivery, and support innovation.

The promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education has also been prioritised as a foundation for building a technology-driven economy. Investment in digital infrastructure is seen as key to unlocking entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and e-government services.

Infrastructure development more broadly has remained a strategic focus. Road rehabilitation, rural electrification, and cross-border trade corridors are critical components of Zambia’s economic integration and regional competitiveness.

While fiscal constraints have limited the pace of some projects, the administration’s approach has emphasized sustainability and careful debt management in infrastructure financing.

Governance, Democracy and Institutional Reform

President Hichilema campaigned on restoring democratic space and strengthening institutions. Since taking office, his administration has pledged commitment to media freedom, rule of law, and institutional independence.

Observers have noted an expanded political space compared to previous years, including reduced political violence and greater tolerance for opposition activities. Anti-corruption efforts have also featured prominently, with investigations and prosecutions targeting alleged past abuses of office.

The image is Just a suspected political violence in previous election 

At the same time, critics argue that deeper structural reforms are still required to fully entrench institutional independence and accelerate judicial processes. Governance reform remains an ongoing process rather than a completed transformation.

Foreign Policy and Regional Engagement

On the international stage, Zambia has re-engaged with global partners and repositioned itself as a cooperative and reform-oriented democracy within Southern Africa.

The administration has prioritised diplomatic relations aimed at investment attraction, trade expansion, and development cooperation. Engagement with multilateral institutions and bilateral partners has strengthened Zambia’s global standing following years of strained relations tied to debt distress.

The Broader Picture: Achievements and Ongoing Challenges

President Hakainde Hichilema’s presidency so far can best be described as reform-driven and stabilization-focused. His administration has concentrated on rebuilding macroeconomic credibility, expanding social services, and restoring institutional confidence.

However, the ultimate measure of success will depend on whether economic stabilization translates into sustained job creation, reduced poverty, and improved living standards.

Zambia’s challenges — youth unemployment, climate vulnerability, public expectations, and global economic shocks — remain substantial. Yet the policy direction under the current administration reflects a long-term structural approach rather than short-term populism.

As the New Dawn government progresses through its term, the coming years will determine how reforms mature into tangible socio-economic transformation.

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