By EditorZambia
For three years, Zambia has been living through a national tug-of-war. On one side stands President Hakainde Hichilema, steadily rebuilding an economy that was hollowed out by years of mismanagement, secrecy, and reckless borrowing.
On the other side stand opposition voices determined to convince the nation that nothing has changed—even while indicators, investments, and reforms clearly show Zambia rising out of the pit they dug. 
The tragedy is not that critics disagree. That is normal in a democracy.
The tragedy is that they deliberately judge long-term reforms by short-term discomfort, as if a nation that was pushed to economic collapse could magically heal overnight. They condemn seedlings for not bearing fruit within weeks, ignoring that some fruits are already visible.
What the critics refuse to acknowledge is simple: President Hakainde Hichilema is overturning the Zambian economy, but rebuilding takes time.
While they shout, Zambia is quietly stabilizing.
THE ECONOMY THEY SAY IS “COLLAPSING” IS ACTUALLY RECOVERING
Look at the numbers—real, stubborn numbers that can not be twisted by propaganda.
In November 2025, inflation fell to 10.9%, down from 11.9%. This is the seventh straight month of easing inflation. That is not luck.
That is the result of fiscal discipline, controlled spending, stable food supply chains, and a monetary system finally being guided by competence rather than political panic.
Non-food inflation dropped sharply too, easing pressure on families and businesses.
These developments directly contradict the opposition’s daily chorus of “high cost of living, high cost of living,” as if chanting a slogan is enough to rewrite economic reality.
Zambia also recorded a K1.1 billion trade surplus. Exports rose. Domestically produced exports hit K30.8 billion, a 6.6% jump. This strengthens the local currency, the Kwacha, boosts confidence and shows competitiveness.
If the economy were truly in freefall as critics claim, we would not be seeing these kinds of numbers confirmed by independent economists like Kelvin Chisanga, not government spin doctors.
DEBT RESTRUCTURING: THE TURNING POINT POLITICIANS DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT
S&P Global Ratings upgraded Zambia to CCC+, while Fitch raised the rating to B-. These upgrades officially push Zambia out of default.
This is one of the most important economic milestones in a decade, yet the opposition pretends it never happened.
Why? Because admitting it would expose their narrative as hollow.
A credit rating upgrade means: international investors now trust Zambia again
capital will become cheaper. New projects can be financed
economic partnerships multiply
Zambia is no longer viewed as a high-risk disaster zone
This is the outcome of hard negotiations, transparent policy, and refusing to lie to the public about debt numbers—something that previously bankrupted the country.
LONG-TERM REFORMS CRITICS DON’T UNDERSTAND
The biggest weakness of the opposition’s argument is this: they judge national recovery on immediate gratification, but economic reform works on medium – and long-term timelines.
They think if they can not touch the benefit today, then the policy is useless.
But look around:
- Mining is stabilizing.
The sector that once suffered from political interference, license grabbing, and investor fear is now functioning again. Production is increasing. Taxes are actually being paid. Confidence is returning. - Zambians are finally getting mining licenses.
For years, licenses sat in the hands of a privileged few. Today, artisanal and small-scale miners are receiving access at unprecedented levels. This is real empowerment, not slogans. - Free education is transforming households.
Millions of children who were once trapped at home now go to school without parents choosing between fees and food. This is generational change, something critics pretend not to see. - Public services are finally staffed.
Tens of thousands of teachers and health workers have been hired.
Clinics that once had one nurse now have teams. Schools that were empty now have real staffing.
These are long-term investments in human capital.
- The CDF is powering local development.
Not as political bribes. Not as election handouts. But as real decentralisation.
Communities are deciding their own development priorities—for the first time in decades.
THE OPPOSITION’S PLAYBOOK: PAINT EVERYTHING BLACK
Whenever progress becomes too obvious, critics simply shift their strategy:
If inflation drops, they claim “the numbers are fake.”
If Zambia exits default, they say “credit ratings don’t matter.”
If mining improves, they shout “we want immediate jobs!”
If teachers are hired, they complain “but the roads!”
If communities receive CDF, they claim “it’s being abused.”
This is not analysis. This is desperation.
The critics’ survival depends on Zambia failing. So, every improvement is ignored, downplayed, or mocked.
WHY HH’S LEADERSHIP IS DIFFERENT
President Hichilema’s leadership is not loud, tribal, populist or dramatic. It is steady. Disciplined. Focused.
He does not steal.
He does not threaten opponents.
He does not dish out fake promises.
He does not run the government like a rally.
He builds systems.
Zambia is being rebuilt quietly—but decisively:
budgets are predictable
corruption cracks are being sealed,
institutions are being restored, and the country is respected globally again.
This is not perfection. But it is purpose. The results are beginning to show.
THE REALITY: ZAMBIA IS RECOVERING
GDP growth remains above 5%, driven by agriculture, mining, and regional trade. These are not projections written on party banners. They are assessments by global institutions monitoring Zambia’s performance.
Energy shortages remain a challenge, but the government is shifting aggressively toward renewables and diversified generation, something neglected for 20 years.
The stage is being prepared for:
more jobs, more investment,
stronger export capacity, and a resilient economy
THE CHOICE IS CLEAR
Political opposition voices want Zambia to believe nothing is working. But facts do not lie.
- Inflation is falling.
- Exports are rising.
- Credit ratings are up.
- Mining is stabilising.
- Schools are staffed.
- Clinics have workers.
- Children learn for free.
- Communities control development funds.
- Zambia is out of default.
- Investor confidence is returning.
These are not dreams. They are today’s realities.
So the real question is:
Do we judge the economy by propaganda or by progress?
Because whether critics like it or not, the truth is becoming harder to hide:
President Hakainde Hichilema is overturning the Zambian economy—one disciplined, forward-looking reform at a time.
Zambia is rising.
