Manufacturers Back President Hichilema's Shift from Stabilisation to Growth

The Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) has welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema's plans to move the economy from stabilisation to growth over the next five years, pledging to work with Government and stakeholders to advance the country's industrialisation agenda.

"For manufacturing, this presents an opportunity to translate economic stability into greater productive capacity, value addition, exports and quality jobs," ZAM President Mohammed Umar said.

During his inauguration on Tuesday, President Hichilema unveiled a five-year plan to more than double the economy to over US$60 billion by 2031, shifting focus from managing debt toward industrial production, wealth creation and private-sector growth. The agenda is anchored on the UPND's 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 targets, which include 10 million tonnes of maize, 10,000MW of electricity, five million tourist arrivals and three million tonnes of copper, alongside ambitious goals for soybeans, wheat, sugar and beef exports.

Mr Umar said manufacturing had already proven its potential. Between 2021 and June 2026, the sector accounted for US$7.33 billion, or 38.5 percent, of the ZDA's actualised investments, the highest of any sector, and created 46,759 jobs, lifting its contribution to GDP to around nine percent.

He said the Grow Zambia agenda offered significant scope to deepen linkages with agriculture, mining and energy, and to position Zambia as a competitive production and export base for the region and beyond. Achieving this, he added, would require reliable and affordable energy and predictable taxation. ZAM also congratulated the President on his re-election.