Four Years Of Change: How HH's First Term Has Transformed Zambia

As Zambia celebrates four years under President Hakainde Hichilema, the country reflects on a period of transformation across education, politics, development, and the economy. Since taking office in August 2021, President Hichilema’s New Dawn government has made extensive progress in tackling deep-rooted issues and improving the lives of all Zambians.

Education for All:

Education has long been considered a key driver of development, yet previous governments struggled to provide learning opportunities due to low budget allocations and poor governance.

 Fulfilling a key election promise, President Hichilema launched the “Education for All” program on January 10, 2022. This ambitious policy removed school fees from early childhood through secondary education, eliminated PTA fees, allowed students without uniforms to attend school, and reintroduced meal allowances at post-secondary institutions, all with the goal of overhauling the education system.

The policy’s impact has been transformative. Over two million students have returned to classrooms nationwide. In Southern Province alone, 161,000 pupils re-joined school following the rollout. Despite initial concerns about the viability of implementing high quality education at such a scale, Zambia’s 2024 national Grade 12 results demonstrated the program’s success, with 115,532 students passing out of 169,496 candidates.

The expansion of education also created a large number of opportunities for teachers. The policy led to 30,496 new teachers being recruited in 2022, the largest intake in Zambia’s history. Continued recruitment brought the total number of teachers employed since President Hichilema assumed office to 41,916. While challenges remain, including infrastructure gaps and resource constraints, the government has shown continued commitment by increasing education budgets year on year, ensuring that every child can learn in a safe and supportive environment.

Peace and National Unity:

Zambia’s return to peace has been one of the most visible achievements of the New Dawn government. Under the previous administration, political violence and intimidation were widespread. PF cadres were armed to intimidate opposition officials, and ordinary citizens often bore the brunt of this brutality. Markets and bus stations were overrun, extortion was common, and citizens lived in fear of political reprisals.

President Hichilema took decisive steps to restore law and order upon his appointment. The Zambia Police Service was authorised to enforce the law without interference, ensuring that citizens can live without fear of intimidation. Directives to stop illicit collections and extortion have produced clear results, and ordinary Zambians now report a stronger sense of safety in public spaces.

In addition to addressing political violence, the administration has prioritised tackling tribalism. The president explicitly warned that individuals promoting hate speech and divisive rhetoric would face legal consequences, sending a clear message of zero tolerance. Law enforcement agencies were empowered to act against those inciting tribal divisions through legal channels. While certain divisions persist, the government’s decisive actions have contributed to a greater sense of national unity, fulfilling the promise of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’.  

Constituency Development Fund:

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has emerged as a key tool for decentralised development under President Hichilema. Prior to his election in 2021, each of Zambia’s 156 constituencies received approximately K1.6 million annually. By 2024, this allocation had increased to K30.6 million per constituency, reflecting the government’s commitment to empowering local communities and promoting inclusive development.

The CDF has funded a wide range of community-driven projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of schools, health clinics, and roads, enhancing access to essential services, particularly in rural areas. Programs targeting youth and women have provided vocational training to over 85,000 Zambians, equipping them with skills to improve livelihoods and create employment opportunities. Small-scale agricultural initiatives, water supply schemes, and micro-enterprises have promoted grassroots economic growth, while community involvement in decision-making has strengthened accountability and trust.

Economic Recovery: Building Confidence and Growth

Zambia’s economy has shown strong signs of recovery under President Hichilema. A key achievement was the successful restructuring of the nation’s debt, easing fiscal pressures and restoring both domestic and foreign investor confidence. According to the IMF, GDP growth is projected to reach 6.4% in 2026, supported by sectors such as mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

While the 2023-2024 drought worsened load shedding, the government has taken decisive steps to strengthen energy reliability through major infrastructure projects. A key achievement is Zambia’s largest grid-connected solar plant, the 100 MW Chisamba Solar Power Plant, commissioned in June 2025. Supplying clean power to both households and industry, it has eased shortages, supported growth, and underscored the government’s success in building a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

The government has also prioritised job creation and skills development, underpinned by US $8.9 billion in realised investments, surpassing the US $7.9 billion that had been initially committed. These investments led to the creation of 36,045 jobs, well above 29,009 originally pledged. The outcome highlights the success of the investment drive in delivering concrete benefits for both the economy and citizens.

Looking Ahead:

Four years into President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, Zambia has undergone a profound transformation. Though challenges remain, the New Dawn government has demonstrated a clear commitment to continued prioritisation of inclusive development and national unity. As Zambia celebrates this four year anniversary, citizens can look ahead with optimism about the nation’s future.