Editor Zambia
Why is President Hakainde Hichilema’s critics disputing GDP growth statistics shared not only by the government but other multilateral partners such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank?
What is even more surprising is that no one has released true figures to counter what the Bank of Zambia (BoZ), IMF, World Bank has projected and presented. 
Yesterday former Finance deputy minister under the MMD administration and ZESCO Board chairperson Mbita Chitala launched scathing attack on President Hichilema disputing the growth figures from 2022 to 2025 as fake. But Dr. Chitala failed to provide alternative figures.
EditorZambia is forced to comment on Dr. Chitala’s misleading article. His comments can not go unchallenged because they misrepresent facts.
First, according to IMF economic outlook, Zambia’s economy will maintain a strong growth momentum over the next two years 2025 and 2026.
Real GDP growth is expected to reach 5.8% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026, reflecting continued recovery supported by fiscal consolidation and improved sectoral performance.
Inflation is projected to ease from 14.2% in 2025 to 9.2% in 2026, indicating gradual stabilisation under tighter monetary policy and improved domestic supply conditions.
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According to Dr. Chitala the annual GDP growth rates using the formula Real GDP minus Real GDP for subsequent year divided by Real GDP for subsequent year times 100% would not average 5.3% annually as claimed by President Hakainde.
Dr. Chitala also refutes the GDP growth rates for 2021 was 1.1%, GFD for 2022 was 3.3%, GDP for 2023 was 1.3% and the GDP for 2024 was 1.9%.
In his article, Dr. Chitala is literally saying that Zambia is dead and nothing is happening.
He disputes figures because there is load shedding in the country. But he has not provided facts to support his arguments with figures.
Dr. Chitala, may wish to learn that the key growth drivers include net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in the mining and agriculture sectors, restoring debt sustainability, and complete reforms to support private sector competitiveness and regaining of macroeconomic stability.
This growth is not by accident or just cooked up figures, a lot of sacrifices have been made, such as the removal of wasteful expenditure which is now bearing results.
Since assuming office, President Hichilema has been very consistent and clear about his agenda, to transition Zambia from an import-dependent country to a new era of economic expansion through industrialisation and regional trade.
President Hichilema pledged to improve the business operating environment in the country so as to attract more investment and create more jobs.
Economic growth is not achieved through empty noise-making and populist decisions to dish out money to cadres to burn during beer drinking sprees.
We want to put context to why Zambia is recording economic growth despite the challenging power crisis the country is facing.
We want to look at new investment that have come to life in the last few years outside the mining sector.
• USD 110 million dollars glucose and starch manufacturing plant in Lusaka’s Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) by Trade Kings which makes Zambia the third producer of glucose and starch in Africa, after Egypt and South Africa, creating over 1000 direct jobs for our citizens.
• 923 million United States dollar United Capital Fertiliser Urea Plant located at the Wonderful Industrial Park in Chilanga District, a state-of-the-art facility employing over 2,500 people. The plant has boost Zambia’s economy, reducing reliance on fertilizer imports, and support agricultural development.
• 85-Megawatt United Capital Fertiliser (UCF) power plant, located in Chilanga district. An additional power plant to support this investment plus surplus in the national grid.
• 35 million US dollar Bayer Seed processing plant in Kabwe District of Central Province. The plant has become the largest Maize seed producer in Central and Southern Africa.
• The $40 million Great Leaf Tobacco processing plant in Kabwe District. The plant has employed 800 direct labour with thousands of farmers under out grower scheme.
• The Jiangxi Multi-Facility Economic Zone has attracted over $40 million in investment for battery production and recycling and copper cable manufacturing, creating over 400 jobs. This is operating in central province.
• Hitachi Factory Expansion: The commissioned $40 million Phase III expansion of the Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia facility, an investment linked to the mining and construction sectors and a result of strengthened ties with Japan.
• 6.8 million dollars Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia from the African Development Bank (AfDB). This will improve production blended fertilizer: 288,000 metric tons per year granulated fertilizer: 144,000 metric tons per year and combined capacity: 432,000 metric tons per year, a six-fold increase
• 65 million dollars Kapiri Mposhi International Logistics Park. This is a state of art logistics and inland dry port which transform Kapiri from a simple terminus into a dynamic logistics gateway.
• The Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles, abandoned for years now, has been reopened with a $170 million investment and is expected to create over 500 jobs. This project will be launched before the end of year.
The investments in mining sector alone has reached US$9.3billion since 2023, with additional pledges of US$1.0billion, aiming to boost copper production to the government’s 3 million metric tons annual target. Chamber of Mines statistics.
In the energy sector alone multimillion investments have been injected
• Maamba Collieries Expansion Thermal Plant (300MW): Very soon it start feeding into the national grid and stabilising supply.
• Chisamba Solar Phase one and phase Two Project (100MW):
• Bangweulu and Ngonye Solar Extensions (80MW): Expansions underway to boost renewables.
• Private Sector Solar & Wind Investments: Over 400MW licensed and staggered for rollout by December 2025.
• 50-megawatts Mansa Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant by CGM Power Group Limited
• 50 MW solar pv power plant in Baluba Maposa, Luanshya district by Maposa solar company limited
• 60 MW solar pv power plant integrated with 20 MWH battery energy storage system (bess) in Choma district by Cooma solar power plant limited
• 28 MW solar pv power plant at Luanshya power station in Kapiri Mposhi district by Lunsemfwa hydro power limited
• 100 MW solar pv power plant in Chief Moono’s area, Mumbwa district by Sun Share Energy Limited
• 8MW off-grid solar pv power plant with 2.5MWH bess in Kasempa district by Sany International Zambia industrial company limited
• 25 MW phase II solar PV power plant in Serenje district by Solar Century One Power Limited
• 12 MW solar pv power plant in Fitula area, Chingola district by Fitula Solar Company Limited among others
• 2.5MW Chadiza Solar Project valued at K66.5 million in partnership with Indo Zambia Limited.
All these projects mentioned above have translated into job creation for the young people and opened opportunities for women in the value chain.
From this illustration of this kind of investment that has been injected into the Zambian economy, it is not only unfair to label the 5.6 GDP growth but is a deliberate move to misinform Zambians for political and personal gains.
@Reserved
Editor Zambia
