Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema Secures Second Term in Decisive Electoral Victory

LUSAKA — Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has been officially re-elected to a second five-year term, securing an outright majority and avoiding a runoff after claiming roughly 61% of the national vote.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia announced the final results early Tuesday morning, confirming that Hichilema comfortably outperformed his closest challenger, opposition candidate Brian Mundubile.

Decisive Mandate Amid High Stakes

Contesting on the ticket of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), Hichilema surpassed the constitutional threshold of 50 percent with nearly 3 million ballots cast in his favor. Following the announcement, hundreds of supporters flooded the streets of the capital, Lusaka, waving party flags, singing, and celebrating the victory.

Addressing the nation following the outcome, Hichilema expressed gratitude to the electorate.

"We are truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands," Hichilema said, extending an olive branch to political opponents. "To those citizens who preferred the ideas presented by our opponents, we hear you, and we will continue to work for you."

Focus on Economic Recovery and Stability

The fiercely contested general election served as a crucial referendum on Hichilema's economic trajectory for the southern African nation. Since first taking office in 2021 during a severe national debt crisis, his administration has focused heavily on structural economic reforms, securing international debt restructuring deals, stabilizing the national currency, and revitalizing the copper mining sector.

While international election observers—including delegations from the European Union—noted that the polls were largely peaceful, they also highlighted logistical hurdles and a constrained political environment during the broader campaign phase. Despite these challenges, Hichilema's decisive win ensures his administration will steer Africa’s second-largest copper producer through 2031, with priorities centering on energy resilience, domestic manufacturing, and expanded social welfare programs.