President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration is prepared to deliver more in 2026, arguing that the initial years of his presidency were spent stabilising public finances and restoring confidence in the economy, creating conditions for wider implementation of government programmes.
Speaking as political activity begins to intensify ahead of the general election, Hichilema said the government had moved beyond what he described as an emergency phase inherited in 2021 and was now positioned to focus on execution across key sectors.
He said fiscal discipline and debt restructuring were prioritised early in the administration to arrest economic decline and rebuild credibility with investors and cooperating partners. According to the president, those measures were necessary before expanding development spending and scaling up public programmes.
Hichilema said the next phase would concentrate on translating policy decisions into measurable outcomes, with energy, infrastructure, agriculture and social services identified as priority areas. He said government institutions had been directed to shift from policy announcements to implementation within existing frameworks.
On energy, Hichilema said investments made in power generation and supply were intended to stabilise electricity availability and support economic activity. He said energy reliability remained central to industrial productivity and job creation, particularly for mining, manufacturing and small enterprises.
He also pointed to agriculture as a key pillar of the government’s delivery agenda, saying productivity, value chains and market access would remain areas of focus. Hichilema said improved coordination among ministries was intended to ensure that programmes reached intended beneficiaries without duplication or delay.
In social sectors, the president said education, health and social protection programmes would continue to receive attention, with emphasis placed on sustaining existing interventions rather than introducing new commitments. He said implementation efficiency would determine the pace of progress.
Hichilema acknowledged that households continued to face economic pressure, including the cost of living, but said reforms undertaken were aimed at stabilising conditions over time. He said the administration was conscious of public expectations and had instructed ministries to account for delivery against set targets.
The president said government performance would be monitored internally, with results guiding adjustments to programmes already under way. He said accountability mechanisms were being applied to ensure that public resources translated into tangible outcomes.
Hichilema said the administration’s approach going into 2026 would remain centred on execution, adding that delivery would be assessed through recorded outputs within ongoing programmes rather than through future pledges.
Boss, the living standards of the people have declined ever since you took over. Do something please. We gave you the vote in 2021. And what is hurting me who gave you the vote and was expectant is your self praise.
You went to Tanzania to preach dialogue, meanwhile you have not held not even one dialogue session with the opposition here in Zambia. Attempt to preach what you say in this new year please Sir.
Its a big NO for me. Sorry Sir, we gave you a chance all these 4 years and you blew it up. I would recommend the Botswana and Malawi formula, that is when people will start working, just one term each
Sir your tme is up and it must be bye bye in 2026
Whilst concentrting on one sector the others are failing apart
Zambi will be more devided than when you took over
He will be handing power back to himself this year bane
FWD2041
HEHH……….
The silent majority appreciate……….
The vocal minority are there, some using multiple names on LT to boost their ranks , but in reality………..
Theirs will remain but a fleeting illusion, your disposal to be desired , but never attained……..
When the passive majority go to the polls , all the loud minority will remain with are lamentations of foul play………..
We are here
FWD2041
Rubbish! All talk and no action. Adada knew he was out of his depths and kept quiet on most issues-he had no solution whatsoever.
This one will talk till hell freezes over but there will be no positive results for the poor masses out there! if justice must prevail this man must be sent back to Beengwa to an early retirement in political dispensation.
Alight, I hear you loud and clear Mr UPND. You’re writing your finals this year, let say it’s grade 12. Make yo do part. The ballot box will be the marking center. Continue to keep your head up.