Hichilema launches manifesto, promises growth and lower living costs

President Hakainde Hichilema says the next chapter for the United Party for National Development (UPND) will focus on further reducing the cost of living for Zambians while accelerating economic growth.

Speaking when he launched the UPND Manifesto at Mulungushi International conference, President Hichilema says the party’s ambition is to double the size of the economy through massive economic transformation aimed at creating jobs, boosting investment and improving livelihoods.

He outlined the five pillars of the UPND 2026 manifesto as growing the economy, connecting the nation, serving the people, effective delivery-oriented public sector and financing the future of Zambia.

President Hichilema was speaking in Lusaka today during the unveiling of the UPND’s 2026 Party Manifesto.

Mr Hichilema noted that the party manifesto incorporates alliance partners in its shared vision for the country, adding that the manifesto and the election is about protecting unity, inclusion, peace, progress and the future.

He disclosed that every provincial centre will house an international airport and that three rail systems are currently being worked on, that is the Tanzania-Zambia railway (TAZARA), Zambia Railway Line (ZRL) and the Lobito railway.

He emphasised that more measures will be effected to protect free education, further saying there shall be a public university in every provincial centre.

“We shall introduce performance-based contracts to curb inefficient in the public sector, the work culture must change. We shall operationalise the 24-hour economy,” he said.

He explained that to finance the country’s future, the UPND will expand public-private partnerships beyond roads to hospitals and bridges.

“We will also raise money on capital markets and prioritise production for exports. We will push investment expenditure more than consumption expenditure,” he added

He pointed out that target setting is important for economic growth, adding that set targets include realising 10 million tonnes of maize, 10 thousand Megawatts of electricity, five million tourists, three million metric tonnes of both copper and soya beans.

“One million metric tonnes of wheat and one billion United States dollars’ worth of beef exports,” he added.

Mr Hichilema also reminded the gathering of a UPND vision of a peaceful, united and prosperous nation and advised that hatred, violence and ethnic divisions must be rejected.

And Vice President Mutale Nalumango said the New Dawn Administration has fulfilled many of the promises it made to the Zambian people.

Mrs Nalumango said President Hichilema has demonstrated commitment to delivering on his administration’s development agenda and improving the welfare of citizens.

Meanwhile, UPND National Chairperson Collins Maoma described President Hichilema as a visionary leader committed to uniting the country and driving economic development.

Mr Maoma said the President has continued to work closely with alliance partners to promote national development and improve the economy.

Earlier, hundreds of UPND supporters, mainly youths, gathered at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre where they sang and chanted party slogans in celebration of the manifesto launch.