President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia’s economic outlook is firmly anchored in the performance of the mining sector, citing increased investor confidence, policy stability, and renewed global interest in the country’s mineral resources.

Speaking during the Africa Mining Indaba, President Hichilema said government had deliberately positioned mining as a cornerstone of national recovery, with reforms aimed at restoring confidence after years of uncertainty. He stated that Zambia’s vast copper endowment, combined with policy consistency, had placed the country in a strong position to benefit from global demand for critical minerals.

The President said the administration had focused on creating a predictable operating environment for mining companies, emphasising transparency, respect for contracts, and engagement with investors. He said these measures were already yielding results, with several mining houses expanding operations and committing fresh capital.

Hichilema noted that copper remained central to Zambia’s economic prospects, particularly as the global transition toward electric vehicles and renewable energy continued to drive demand. He said Zambia’s copper resources were a strategic asset and that government was working to ensure value was maximised for national development.

He said mining growth was not being pursued in isolation, but as part of a broader strategy to stabilise the economy, strengthen the currency, and support job creation. According to the President, improved macroeconomic fundamentals had helped rebuild confidence among both local and international investors.

Hichilema said government had also prioritised strengthening institutions involved in the management of the sector, including regulatory agencies, to ensure efficient oversight and compliance. He said this approach was intended to prevent past challenges linked to policy inconsistency and governance weaknesses.

The President told delegates that Zambia’s reform agenda had extended beyond mining to include debt restructuring, fiscal discipline, and engagement with international partners. He said these efforts were interconnected and had contributed to renewed confidence in the economy.

He said government was committed to ensuring that benefits from mining translated into tangible improvements for citizens, including job opportunities and community development. Hichilema said local participation, skills development, and value addition were key areas of focus.

The President said Zambia’s message to investors was clear: the country was open for business and committed to long-term partnerships built on mutual benefit. He said government would continue engaging stakeholders to address operational challenges and unlock further growth.

Hichilema said the administration remained optimistic about Zambia’s economic trajectory, noting that stability in the mining sector would play a central role in sustaining growth and supporting national development goals.

Tasila Lungu-Mwansa Has Not Declined Youth Chair Appointment

The Brian Mundubile-led Tonsi Alliance has dismissed reports suggesting that former Chawama Member of Parliament Tasila Lungu-Mwansa declined her appointment as National Youth Chairperson, saying there is internal communication confirming her acceptance of the role.

The clarification was made during a Sunrise Breakfast Show interview by Tonsi Alliance spokesperson Dr. Lawrence Mwelwa, who addressed controversy surrounding the alliance’s recent appointments and ongoing leadership disputes.

Dr. Mwelwa said claims that Ms. Lungu-Mwansa rejected the appointment were not supported by any direct communication from her and described the reports as misinformation circulating outside the alliance’s official structures.

According to Dr. Mwelwa, the alliance leadership engaged Ms. Lungu-Mwansa before announcing her appointment and held consultations, including discussions conducted in South Africa. He said it would have been inappropriate for the alliance to announce her appointment without prior engagement, particularly given that she is still mourning the death of her father, Zambia’s sixth Republican President Edgar Lungu.

He said that if Ms. Lungu-Mwansa had declined the position, the alliance leadership would have been the first to receive such communication, rather than learning of it through media reports or social-media commentary.

Dr. Mwelwa questioned how media organisations could attribute a rejection to Ms. Lungu-Mwansa without speaking to her directly or obtaining a signed letter or public statement from her. He noted that she has her own official platforms and direct access to the alliance leadership should she wish to communicate her position.

He said there is communication within the organisation indicating her acceptance of the role, adding that not all internal correspondence is immediately made public. According to Dr. Mwelwa, Ms. Lungu-Mwansa will formally communicate her position to the public at a time of her choosing.

The appointment of Ms. Lungu-Mwansa was announced over the weekend as part of a series of leadership appointments by the Tonsi Alliance aimed at filling key organisational positions ahead of increased political mobilisation.

The announcement triggered renewed debate over the legitimacy of the alliance’s leadership, particularly amid competing claims from factions linked to Patriotic Front figures who have questioned Brian Mundubile’s authority.

Addressing those concerns, Dr. Mwelwa outlined the history of the Tonsi Alliance, stating that it was founded by Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba, Sean Tembo, and Apostle Dan Pule. He said the alliance constitution initially named the late President Edgar Lungu as chairperson and presidential candidate.

Following President Lungu’s death, the constitution was amended to provide for the election of a new chairperson and presidential candidate. Dr. Mwelwa said Brian Mundubile was subsequently elected with the support of 96 percent of the alliance membership.

He explained that the decision to remove the Patriotic Front as an anchor party was taken to avoid leadership ambiguity, particularly given disputes surrounding PF leadership. He said maintaining PF as an anchor party would risk allowing individuals outside the alliance’s elected structures to claim authority over it.

Dr. Mwelwa said the alliance constitution recognises certain individuals as members of the Tonsi Alliance by virtue of their political history, but leadership positions are determined through elections. He said those who chose not to participate in the leadership election could not later claim authority over the alliance.

Also appearing on the programme was Chanoda Ngwira, the newly appointed National Chairperson for Labour and Social Services, who said opposition politics in recent years had been weakened by internal leadership failures rather than external pressure.

Ngwira said many political disputes stem from an inability to transition from acting positions to elected leadership, leading to prolonged internal conflict. He argued that the Tonsi Alliance had moved past that stage by electing leadership and establishing clear organisational structures.

Ngwira said the alliance is focused on mobilisation and positioning itself as an organised opposition force ahead of the 2026 general elections. He added that the Tonsi Alliance currently brings together multiple political parties and civil society organisations under one structure.

Alliance officials said further communication on appointments and organisational matters would be issued in due course, but maintained that reports claiming Ms. Lungu-Mwansa declined her appointment were inaccurate.