Finance Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane told citizens that leadership choices play a decisive role in shaping national prosperity, urging voters to select leaders capable of sustaining economic progress if Zambia is to achieve development outcomes comparable to countries such as Mauritius.
Speaking during parliamentary proceedings, Musokotwane explained that economic transformation depends on consistent policy direction and responsible governance. He said nations that achieve stability often do so through disciplined leadership and clear long-term planning, noting that voters have a role in determining the direction a country takes.
The minister said Zambia’s economic challenges cannot be separated from leadership decisions made over time. According to Musokotwane, citizens must consider the qualities of individuals seeking public office, stressing that economic management requires competence, accountability and a focus on national interest.
During the discussion, he reflected on examples from other countries that have achieved sustained growth, saying development is linked to the type of leadership citizens choose. He argued that a country’s prosperity does not happen by chance but grows from consistent governance practices that encourage investment and productivity.
Musokotwane also addressed concerns about economic pressures faced by households, including the rising cost of living. He told lawmakers that government policies aim to create a stable environment that supports growth while protecting citizens from economic shocks. He added that responsible leadership contributes to predictable policy frameworks that help businesses and communities plan for the future.
The minister highlighted the importance of economic discipline, stating that public institutions must remain focused on long-term goals rather than short-term political interests. He told Parliament that Zambia’s development trajectory depends on maintaining reforms designed to stabilise the economy and attract investment.
His remarks drew attention within the chamber, with lawmakers listening closely as he described the link between democratic participation and economic outcomes. Musokotwane maintained that informed voting decisions strengthen governance systems and help ensure continuity in national programmes.
He also spoke about the need for citizens to evaluate policy proposals carefully, saying economic progress requires collective responsibility between leaders and the electorate. According to the minister, public participation in elections should reflect an understanding of how governance decisions affect national development.
Musokotwane told lawmakers that Zambia has the potential to achieve higher levels of prosperity through disciplined economic management. He said achieving that goal requires unity and a commitment to policies that encourage growth across sectors such as industry, agriculture and tourism.
The address formed part of a broader discussion on governance and economic strategy during the parliamentary session. Musokotwane concluded by encouraging citizens to remain engaged in national decision-making processes, stating that leadership choices made today shape the country’s future trajectory.
We are miles behind Mauritius There is no comparison
Here we have smoke and mirrors
What is there to show of in 5 years. Poverty is still as high as UPND found it, if not worsened. Ranked 6th poorest in the world.
I wish the constitution could ban speeches and just let people work.
The reason in Malawi and Botswana, they gave their Presidents one term only, because they saw that with polished speeches, they were not going anywhere. Unfortunately even opposition in Zambia is the same, its just talk talk talk
compared to what we found , we are well on the road.,……..
FWD2041
@Spaka ,well said . These people think prosperity happens overnight or in 3yrs .It took Singapore UAE ,China and even USA decades of sustained growth to achieve prosperity .
Given the improving economic indicators ….we’re well on the road there
@Tikki you don’t understand what the minister is saying but you’re very quick to respond. Did Mauritius develop to where they’re in 5 or 10k years? You have to start from somewhere and if you have the right leadership successfuly over years economic benefits will follow through. He mentioned consistent policy direction and right leadership, these are some of drivers to move the country in the right direction economically.
See for yourself:
https://youtu.be/PH3_wwmORmQ?si=LslVgVTw8VJ5cO7w
Tikki is demanding what was voted for. But all you praisesinging cadres conveniently forget that what you only now realize can’t happen is what HH himself promised us when he was in opposition.
The motorcade overtake said we should swear him in in the morning and by noon the Kwacha will be flying high. We’ve waited for 365 X 5 years and we still aren’t anywhere near Mauritius.
Tikki is demanding what was voted for. But all you praisesinging cadres conveniently forget that what you only now realize can’t happen is what HH himself promised us when he was in opposition.
The motorcade overtaker said we should swear him in in the morning and by noon the Kwacha will be flying high. We’ve waited for 365 X 5 years and we still aren’t anywhere near Mauritius.
In 2021 Zambia was knocking at the gates of a failed state with one leg already in…….
With the economy drowning in debt and in the stranglehold of the worst electrical power crises……….
Zambia has been stirred through the worst
We are here
FWD2041
Simple, in 2021 Covid shut the world.
If you want to be like Mauritius then let people from Mauritius come and rule here. If you want to be like Singapore then let people from Singapore come and rule. As long as zambians are ruling we know we will never progress.
Mauritius has free media. Even a public broadcaster. Ise we have DeadNBC with scared reporters who can’t say anything bad about ruling party and its members
Yeah DeadNBC doubled by ZANIS just means the nation is force-fed government news after government news.
Zambia is swimming in propaganda and propaganda. It’s only when they leave office that they see the news is biased
Mauritius is just averagely ok ,but really Zambia should aspire to be higher . Singapore should be our actual role model it has global appeal and more dynamic.
Mauritius Human Development Index equals .806 while Zambia is at .595 ….our pool of brains to power our development is lower .Our poor track record since 1964 says so too.
Note ;i didn’t say we have lower IQ ,we just have a lower human development index scores.
It’s not a good comparison. Mauritius keeps changing ruling parties, not slavishly following only the “right one” and this somehow makes success? And it has an industrial base unlike Zambia.
The electorate is largely unconcerned with national level economic indicators even if they are told it is “good”. Food, money in pocket, light. Cost of living. Economic indicators cannot be eaten
The minister is talking a lot of sense but I see people just respond without interrogation. He’s highlighted a lot positives that should provoke positive contribution but most of our people are just critics without any substance. And you expect Zambia to move forward with such mindset.
Well said fellow Zambian! Most commenters think things just overnight get better and poverty should be history in a country that has relied on aid since inception, albeit at different levels of debt requirement. The minister clearly says competency, accountability and national interest. Ask anyone of these folks saying otherwise what “national interest” is? Many will tell you politics, indabas, dialogue, etc. Contrary to the politically charged folks, national interest calls for building for tomorrow, reviving industries, propping health systems, free and steadily quality education, food security, etc. And clearly, Zambia as it is today is on track to have young Zambians graduate from local learning institutions and go compete on the world stage.
We don’t think that things will overnight get better. We were promised that by the chief motorcade overtaker himself: we swear him in at 10h00 and by noon the Kwacha…….
In both that promise and the overtaking, I was just joking
Just remember the electorate does not vote based on logical speeches delivered eloquently in parliament. The campaign is on the street. I want UPND to win by the way, hence the ambo advice am giving for those campaigning to address the common man