“We have Failed” – Hakainde Hichilema admits
President Hakainde Hichilema has publicly acknowledged that his administration and the nation as a whole have failed to adequately manage the energy sector, admitting that persistent challenges such as erratic supply, delayed reforms, and dependence on hydro-power remain unresolved.
Speaking in Parliament, Hichilema said while his government inherited deep structural problems, it has not yet delivered the lasting solutions citizens expected. “We must be honest with ourselves — as government and as a people — that we have failed to deal with energy in the way our economy demands,” he stated.
The President pointed to inadequate diversification, insufficient investment in renewable capacity, and heavy dependence on the Kariba hydropower system as key weaknesses that continue to constrain economic growth. “Our energy policy still relies too much on one source, yet the climate has clearly shown us that rainfall alone cannot power industry,” he said.
He conceded that the ongoing load-shedding has placed a heavy burden on small businesses, mines, and households, causing frustration nationwide. “I understand the anger,” Hichilema told lawmakers. “Our citizens expect light when they switch on the bulb. We owe them that stability.”
The Head of State revealed that government is revisiting the Energy Regulation Act and revising licensing conditions for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to accelerate alternative supply. He said the Energy Ministry has been instructed to prioritise solar, wind, and biomass projects with local participation.
Hichilema further disclosed that bilateral engagements were underway with regional partners, including Zimbabwe and Namibia, to coordinate shared grid capacity during peak shortages. “We are seeking a regional model that cushions every member state in times of drought or low water levels,” he said.
The President also warned that politicisation of energy tariffs and delayed cost-reflective adjustments had discouraged private investment. “We must confront the truth that free electricity is a myth. Sustainable power requires proper pricing,” he said.
He appealed for patience as government completes ongoing infrastructure works, including upgrades to Kafue Gorge Lower, Lunzua, and new mini-hydro stations across Northern and North-Western provinces.
The President said he took full responsibility for the shortcomings. “It is not enough to blame the past. Leadership is about accepting failure and fixing it. We have not done enough; now we must,” he said.
His remarks have drawn mixed reactions. Economists commended his candour but urged urgent policy follow-through. Energy sector unions, meanwhile, demanded faster action to secure fuel supply and restore investor confidence.
Hichilema concluded his address with an assurance that Zambia’s long-term energy strategy would shift toward sustainability. “We are building resilience from the ground up. The mistakes of today must become the lessons of tomorrow,” he said.
One must compliment him for admitting his inability to Govern the country
Perhaps now the die hards will work on finding a challenger
Tikki
We are finding out you are also a comedian………..
Hehehe
FWD2041
If English is difficult to read and comprehend, please ask for help. Here, did the president say he has failed to rule?
“We must be honest with ourselves — as government and as a people — that we have failed to deal with energy in the way our economy demands,” he stated.
The President pointed to inadequate diversification, insufficient investment in renewable capacity, and heavy dependence on the Kariba hydropower system as key weaknesses that continue to constrain economic growth. “Our energy policy still relies too much on.
You can change the government next year, but load shedding will persist because our population and industries have continued to grow.
This coming rainy season forecast is promising, and I hope the Kariba Dam is filled.
LT,the heading is deliberately misleading to catch the gullible
Honesty which has been at the time of KK now HH has exhibited the same . Refocus and create opportunities to the for all Zambians.
He has admitted on loadshedding only.
At least HH has admitted his administration’s failures .Edgar Lungu and PF would never do this in 20 billion years.
Yes ECL and PF failed on the 3 airports, the roads in the capital, the police and military houses, the hospitals like that one built in Kawama Ndola, and other places. The schools. HH has built Universities and and schools, oh zero. They also failed to reduce or keep mealie meal and fuel prices lower than HH and UPND have done.
They also put all opposition leaders and young people in prison unlike HH who has given Zambians all their freedoms even those that tried to cause road commotion in Mongu. All are free with HH. Load shedding with Lungu was 24 hours in ECL, oh sorry, it is HH. Well, the UPND are pointing where they have worked. Mines for the foreign companies. Free taxes for the foreign companies. Gold and other expensive minerals for the foreign companies. Ngatauli chipuba ninshi walipena mambala.
Those unplanned projects are some of the causes of Zambia’s catastrophic debt problem. Half of the money, besides, went into their pockets, and now Zambians have to pay for that.
Besides, that money did not come from Lungu’s pocket. KK, Chiluba, Banda, and Mwanawasa did their part to develop Zambia. No one must take credit for having developed the country.
Katana, who told you they were unplanned? Every country borrows for capital investment in infrastructure. How did you expect them to build the nation? With insengu? But kwena some of your brains mwaisula fye amenshi. It is how the debt is handled that matters. How much has went into their pockets? Do you know how much HH was worthy before he became President? $5 million. Today he is over $350 million. What has happened in this four years? Zero infrastructure and zero development. Country is back into 1925.
HH Nafilwa
How do you know HH was worth $ 5 million?? …………..
And what is your source of information that HH is worth $ 350 million ??…..,,
That is the problem when you have a pit latrine in your brains , this is what we see………….
You start spouting rubbish, that when challenged to substantiate, you disappear from LT for a while……….
We are here
FWD2041
It starts by removing political appointments and bring in professional and qualified people. Clean up the team before it gets worse.
Agreed. Appointment based on nepotism, party affiliation and tribe is the root cause. The rot/corruption at mining Cadastre for example in at an industrial scale. Grabbing licenses from technically and financially capable holders to cadres and tribesmen. Sickening!!!
Why would you give another term to a failure? Lets be real
Who is to blame fo this mess
Ni HH. The guy has screwed up the country and literally destroyed all that his predecessors left and it is difficult to not ARREST this man after his term. There must be no immunity for him. There will be a referendum to remove his immunity after he lives office. I will campaign for that. Too many atrocities he has committed and caused Zambians to live like destitutes. He must come and rot in jail.
HH Nafilwa
What did his predecessor leave that HH screwed up ??
FWD2041
The PF left a big mess and rotting systems…its very hard for HH to undo the mess quickly .
Enka, point at the mess. What mess are you talking about? Mention it. I see 3 modern airports, several ambulances, schools and universities, houses for the military and the police. Modern hospitals like the one hh went to commission in Kawama Ndola. The Kazungula bridge. Fly over bridges with ramps for easier flow of traffic. Aleni tata sonteni apo hh abomba. He is the worst failure in Zambian leadership. We all thought it was RB, but HH is atrocious and his record belongs to the trash bin.
Mediocrity doesn’t come from lack of talent — it thrives in the absence of accountability. When failure goes unaddressed and no one is held responsible, excellence quietly disappears.
whats the way forward now?????
Change government in 2026. Alternative challengers are beginning to emerge but with no experience and with no real tangible plans with time frames seen so far to change our fortunes. Let us experiment and take a risk like we did with this one, but change them every 5 years if need be.
Hichilema concluded his address with an assurance that Zambia’s long-term energy strategy would shift toward sustainability. “We are building resilience from the ground up. The mistakes of today must become the lessons of tomorrow,” he said.
The painful truth is that there’s no magic solution that will end loadshedding now and for those dreamers thinking another leader will do miracles just forget it. ZESCO’s sustainability depends on the power that’s exported for many years and this can never change. This is a long term solution and not a quick fix. It’s okay for HH to admit the challenges currently at hand and we must commend him for that. We should appreciate leaders that are honest but the good thing is that they’ve effected a lot of projects that will arrest loadshedding in years to come. No leader has ever initiated such projects in this country but unfortunately they are long term.
Ubututu bulwele- misleading headline and analysis. The nation has been dependent on hydro until Davis Mwila’s urine dried up. So acknowledging that Mwila’s urine is not enough is a demonstration of maturity.
Invest in other sources and this requires everyone
So you say “ubututu” when someone brings you real news, and then you call it “misleading”? Would you rather see Lusaka Times stop giving you news altogether?
Sometimes, try to be fair and appreciate the effort it takes for someone to gather and publish news for you, for free. Remember, these platforms are run by human beings. They have lives, feelings, and they work hard every day to keep you informed.
If you think an article doesn’t make sense, you’re always free to write your own version.
To Lusaka Times, thank you for your consistent and unbiased reporting. Keep it up — your work matters more than most people realise.
Nga Davies Mwila naisamo shani? Did Davies Mwila say electricity to Namibia, Botswana and SA? Tali ni HH and ba UPND? Wee muntu wee, bushilu nangula bututu bwine bulekupesha?
Zambia will never develop if changing of governance will be every after 5 years.
Actually we need 4 years. If one cannot work in 2 years, impeach them. That’s why America has mid term elections to remove the failures.
Better to experiment than continue like this. A hungry people are an angry people
“The Head of State revealed that government is revisiting the Energy Regulation Act and revising licensing conditions for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to accelerate alternative supply. He said the Energy Ministry has been instructed to prioritize solar, wind, and biomass projects with local participation.” When some one who is not known to admit the failure, does that, just know that there a bigger agenda behind that admission and mostly to their benefit