President Hichilema Calls for United Stand Against Corruption Following CPI Results

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on Zambians to actively reject corruption, stressing that public intolerance of graft is essential to winning the battle against it.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, Chief Government Spokesperson and Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa shared the President's response to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index findings published by Transparency International Zambia.

Mr. Mweetwa affirmed that President Hichilema remains firmly committed to improving Zambia's CPI score, with an ambition of reaching 40 out of 100. He underscored that the President's determination to tackle corruption decisively has not wavered, noting that a range of structured measures have been introduced to strengthen the country's anti-corruption framework.

The government has acknowledged the CPI findings and extended an invitation to TIZ and broader civil society to engage in constructive dialogue, encouraging stakeholders to move beyond identifying problems and contribute practical recommendations.

Mr. Mweetwa recognised that Zambia's declining CPI performance highlights the need for intensified efforts, even as existing interventions continue to take effect. He pointed to resource constraints facing oversight bodies as a key concern, noting that the government is responding by channelling greater funding to institutions including the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Drug Enforcement Commission.

He further rejected suggestions that the country's judicial system has been compromised by political influence, reiterating the government's position that the rule of law applies equally to all citizens without exception.