President Hichilema Launches UPND 2026 Manifesto

President Hakainde Hichilema this afternoon addressed supporters at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, where he launched the United Party for National Development's manifesto for the 2026 General Election, setting out the ruling party's vision and priorities as it seeks a renewed mandate.

The 2026–2031 blueprint sets out a vision for a united, inclusive, prosperous and equitable Zambia, built on a mission to empower citizens by harnessing the country's resources for transformative growth and sustainable development. Its central message is one of continuity: that the first term laid the foundations for change, and the focus now is on ensuring every family feels the benefits through lower costs, more jobs and expanded opportunity.

The agenda is structured around five mutually reinforcing pillars: growing the economy, connecting the nation, serving the people, building an efficient and delivery-oriented public sector, and financing the country's future. Together they are designed to address every dimension of Zambia's development.

At its heart are seven goals expected to generate approximately US$65 billion in annual economic value. These range from ten gigawatts of power generation and ten million tonnes of maize to five million tourist arrivals, three million tonnes each of copper and soya, a million tonnes of wheat and a billion dollars in beef exports, together expected to create over two million new jobs.

The manifesto casts the 13 August election as a choice to build on the journey already begun rather than change course.

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