By Dr. Andrew Mwape, PhD — Secretary General, UPND USA/Canada Chapter
22 February 2026

Zambians living across North America and beyond often judge leadership through a different lens. Distance sharpens attention on policy outcomes rather than political theatre — the ease of investing back home, the security felt by relatives, and the respect attached to the Zambian identity in international spaces. From this vantage point, many within diaspora communities view President Hakainde Hichilema’s tenure as a turning point that has restored stability and renewed engagement with the country.

Dr. Andrew Mwape, Secretary General of the UPND USA/Canada Chapter, frames the current moment as one shaped by economic recovery, expanded social programmes and renewed investor confidence. Writing from within diaspora leadership structures, he describes a shift from hesitation to renewed pride among Zambians abroad.

Economic standing and global credibility

Diaspora professionals have long measured Zambia’s progress through its reputation in global financial circles. According to Mwape, years marked by debt distress and declining investor trust once made many Zambians reluctant to attach their professional identities to their homeland. He argues that the current administration has repositioned Zambia internationally, stabilising key economic indicators and rebuilding confidence among investors and development partners.

Within diaspora networks, he says, conversations about Zambia increasingly reflect optimism rather than concern, with some Africans from neighbouring countries expressing admiration for the country’s perceived recovery. That renewed confidence, he notes, has encouraged greater participation in investment and business initiatives linked to Zambia.

Social policies easing diaspora burdens

For many families abroad, remittances have served as an essential safety net. Mwape credits policies such as free education, expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursaries and skills training programmes with reducing financial strain on diaspora households that previously covered school fees and healthcare costs.

He describes these initiatives as a shift from dependence toward empowerment, allowing diaspora members to redirect resources into long-term investments, property development and entrepreneurship. Government recruitment drives for teachers, nurses and other civil servants are also presented as evidence of broader economic circulation, placing stable incomes into communities and strengthening domestic resilience.

Peace and political openness

Beyond economics, Mwape places strong emphasis on political climate. He recalls periods when diaspora voices felt cautious about returning home or speaking openly during election cycles. In his assessment, the current environment is calmer and more tolerant, creating a sense of reassurance for Zambians travelling back from abroad.

He links this atmosphere to renewed engagement between diaspora communities and local institutions, describing it as a restoration of personal connection to the country rather than a distant relationship shaped by uncertainty.

Investment pathways tailored to citizens abroad

Another area highlighted by diaspora advocates is the emergence of dollar-based investment opportunities. Mwape points to initiatives such as the NAPSA Zambia Kuchalo wealth creation fund, which allows Zambians overseas to co-invest in national development projects while earning returns denominated in foreign currency.

For diaspora investors, this represents a significant departure from earlier options limited largely to kwacha-denominated instruments. Supporters argue that such facilities reduce exposure to currency volatility while encouraging participation in domestic economic growth.

Market confidence and oversubscribed bonds

Mwape cites strong demand for Zambian government bonds as a signal of renewed international trust. Oversubscription, where investors offer more capital than requested, is presented as evidence that global markets view Zambia’s fiscal management more favourably. For diaspora communities watching from abroad, these developments serve as a barometer of stability and a measure of whether the country is perceived as a reliable partner in international finance.

A narrative shaped by diaspora experience

The perspective outlined by Mwape reflects a wider sentiment among supporters who credit President Hichilema with restoring national pride and credibility. He frames the administration’s policies as catalysts that have strengthened economic prospects, eased social pressures on families abroad and encouraged greater engagement between Zambia and its global citizens.

From this viewpoint, the diaspora’s call for continuity stems from lived experience — measured through remittance patterns, investment confidence and the emotional connection to home. For many of those watching Zambia’s trajectory from overseas, the question of leadership is tied directly to whether recent gains in stability and opportunity can be sustained.

By Venus N Msyani

Zambians in the diaspora, especially those who openly criticize the government of President Hakainde Hichilema, now find themselves in a difficult position. Should they continue speaking out, or should they slow down as the president has advised?

The dilemma follows a recent warning from President Hichilema that his administration is considering the extradition of government critics living abroad.

Addressing Parliament on February 20, 2026, during a presentation on the progress made in applying National Values and Principles, President Hichilema revealed that his government is exploring ways to bring back Zambians in the diaspora who, in his view, are spreading harmful content about the country.

Hichilema argued that some individuals are hiding in foreign nations while using social media to push what he described as hate speech, lies, and narratives that create an impression of instability in Zambia, an impression he believes undermines investor confidence.

“We are working on it, slowly, we are working on it. Slowly but sure. Slowly but sure. Slowly but surely, because our country’s interest comes first,” he said, emphasizing the point by repeating the phrase several times. His message was clear: the government is prepared to act.

“You cannot have personal interest perched somewhere outside of our jurisdiction, and you are sending falsehoods and allowing our children to consume hate messages. It is not right. We must all work together on this issue,” he added. Turning to Speaker Nelly Mutti, he clarified, “Madam Speaker, all I am saying is slow down.”

The intention behind this warning is not difficult to interpret. It appears aimed at instilling fear among critics abroad. Yet historically, such threats have rarely succeeded in silencing dissent in Zambia. If anything, they have often produced the opposite effect; motivating even more criticism.

A similar situation unfolded in 2017. At the height of criticism directed at the Patriotic Front (PF) government, largely triggered by the prolonged detention of then-opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, the PF administration issued a comparable threat.

In July of that year, Vice President Inonge Mutukwa Wina announced in Parliament that the government had engaged Interpol and other international security agencies to explore the extradition of Zambians in the diaspora who were allegedly harming the country through social media.

The intention was unmistakable: to intimidate critics. But instead of reducing criticism, the announcement intensified it. The pressure grew so strong that the government eventually released Hichilema the following month. This historical precedent raises an important question: could President Hichilema’s own threat now trigger a similar backlash?

The likelihood is high. When a government begins recycling old tactics in an attempt to maintain control, criticism tends to increase rather than diminish. Moreover, Zambia is in an election year; a period when every administration traditionally attempts to improve conditions to win public favor.

Trying to use short-term improvements to overshadow the public’s experience over the past four years is unlikely to succeed, especially among Zambians in the diaspora who are generally well-informed and not easily swayed.

Indeed, several positive developments have emerged recently: prices have begun to fall, the kwacha is appreciating, and power supply has returned to near-normal levels after years of severe load shedding. But such improvements are not unusual during election seasons.

In 1991, for example, the ruling UNIP government went as far as distributing free mealie meal for several weeks in an attempt to regain public support.

Zambians abroad understand the difference between criticism and insult. They are exposed to diverse political environments and are not easily intimidated. Many are likely to view the president’s warning as an attempt to suppress legitimate concerns rather than a genuine effort to protect national interests.

If voters are allowed to judge the administration based on their full experience over the past four years, rather than on last-minute improvements, the president faces a difficult challenge. This may explain why he has resorted to issuing threats.

So, will the extradition warning stop criticism? Based on Zambia’s political history, the answer leans strongly toward no. Instead of silencing dissent, the threat may energize critics in the diaspora and amplify the very voices the government hopes to quiet.

By Magret Mwanza

President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent address to Parliament was a defining moment of leadership clarity. It was not a ceremonial speech. It was a progress report from a President determined to rebuild a nation that had been pushed to the brink by years of economic recklessness and institutional decay. His message was clear and uncompromising. Zambia is no longer drifting. Zambia is recovering. Zambia is advancing.

In his address, President Hichilema reaffirmed that economic transformation remains the central pillar of his administration. He highlighted that economic growth has rebounded significantly since 2021, while Zambia has successfully restructured the overwhelming majority of its external debt.

This achievement alone has restored confidence among investors and cooperating partners who had lost trust in Zambia’s financial credibility. This is not theoretical progress. It is measurable recovery. The President further emphasized reforms in key sectors such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. These sectors are not accidental priorities.

They are the engines of job creation and national prosperity. Zambia’s economic future lies in production, value addition and industrialization. President Hichilema understands that a country cannot consume its way to prosperity. It must produce its way there.

One of the most powerful pillars of his vision remains human development. Free education has returned millions of children to school, restoring hope and opportunity to families that had been excluded by poverty.

This single policy will shape Zambia’s future workforce and strengthen the country’s long-term economic foundation. At the same time, the recruitment of thousands of teachers and continued investment in skills development demonstrates a government investing not only in today’s stability but in tomorrow’s prosperity. Equally significant was his firm commitment to governance, accountability and the rule of law. President Hichilema made it clear that Zambia’s future cannot be built on corruption and political impunity.

It must be built on discipline, transparency and institutional integrity. This is the foundation upon which serious nations rise. What distinguishes President Hichilema’s leadership is not rhetoric but direction. He is not governing for applause. He is governing for results. He has restored credibility to government, confidence to investors and hope to citizens. He has replaced chaos with order and uncertainty with purpose.

Zambia today stands at a decisive turning point. The damage of the past cannot be erased overnight, but the path forward is now clear. Under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, Zambia is stabilizing, rebuilding and positioning itself for long-term prosperity. This is what vision looks like. And this is what responsible leadership delivers.