"We Will Not Rest Until Every Zambian Family Feels the Benefit": President Hichilema Delivers State of the Nation Address

President Hakainde Hichilema today delivered his address on the progress made in the application of national values and principles to the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, painting a picture of a nation where the seeds of reform sown since 2021 are beginning to bear fruit for ordinary citizens — while acknowledging that much work remains.

Speaking in accordance with Article 9(2) of the Constitution, the President outlined a sweeping record of delivery across education, health, social protection, energy, governance and economic management, framing each achievement as an expression of the national values enshrined in the Constitution.

Delivering for Families and Communities

At the heart of the address was a message aimed squarely at ordinary Zambians: that government investment is reaching households, classrooms and clinics in ways previously unseen.

The President highlighted the dramatic expansion of the Constituency Development Fund, which has risen from K1.6 million per constituency in 2021 to K40 million in 2026 — and signalled his intention to increase it further. "This is a giant step in the right direction. And we will not rest until every Zambian family feels the benefit of this generational change," he told Parliament.

On education, the President reported that over 2.5 million children have returned to school under the free education policy reintroduced in 2021, supported by the recruitment of nearly 42,000 teachers. The school feeding programme has expanded from 1.5 million to 4.7 million learners, while the keeping girls in school initiative now reaches 95 districts, up from 39.

In a moment that drew particular emphasis, the President noted that public schools recorded a Grade 12 pass rate of 70 percent in 2025, the highest in Zambia's history. "This was not an accident," he said. "It was the direct outcome of deep, broad, and well-planned policy reforms."

Health, Water and Social Protection

The address detailed the recruitment of over 18,000 health workers since 2021, with an additional 2,000 to follow this year, alongside expanded health infrastructure across the country. Some 4.9 million citizens now have access to clean and safe drinking water through government interventions.

Social cash transfer values have been doubled, with 1.5 million households now benefiting, while 518,183 members of the National Pension Scheme Authority have accessed partial pension withdrawals totalling K10.6 billion. "This is tremendous, and it is life changing for our people," the President said.

Energy and Economy

Acknowledging the hardship citizens endured during extended load shedding, President Hichilema reported that power cuts have been drastically reduced and, in many areas, eliminated entirely. "We acknowledge the pain and inconvenience you experienced during those challenging times, and we thank you all for your patience and support," he said, outlining ongoing reforms including solar power stations and expanded generation capacity.

On the economy, the President pointed to a strengthening kwacha, falling inflation and improving fundamentals, while candidly recognising that many citizens are yet to feel the full benefit. "With macro-economic stability now firmly in place, the benefits will increasingly be felt by the citizens through a gradual but sustained easing of the cost of living," he said.

Governance, Corruption and Constitutional Reform

The President struck a firm tone on corruption, reporting that economic crimes are now being prosecuted within five months and that the largest-ever asset recovery in Zambia's history has been achieved. "If you are corrupt, you are on your own," he warned.

He also highlighted the passage of constitutional amendments guaranteeing representation for women, youth and persons with disabilities at all levels of governance — a first in Zambia's history — describing the reforms as delivering "more opportunities for women and our youth, and greater access to resources for our most vulnerable Zambians."

A Call for Peace Ahead of August Elections

With general elections set for 13th August 2026, the President used the address to make a passionate appeal for peaceful campaigning. "Let us always choose unity over division. Let us choose dialogue and inclusion over conflict and insults. Let us choose progress over politicking," he urged.

He called on all political actors, traditional leaders, civil society and citizens to demonstrate restraint, respect and responsibility, reaffirming the guiding principle of "One Zambia, One Nation, One People."

More Work to Do

While the address was rich in milestones and statistics, the President was careful to temper optimism with realism. "Notwithstanding the tremendous progress we have made, together, we have more work to do," he said, pledging to continue delivering from what he described as "a place of love and deep care for our people."

For millions of Zambian families now seeing more teachers in their schools, more nurses in their clinics, more water in their taps and more money in their CDF, the seeds planted over the past four years are, indeed, beginning to sprout. Whether those shoots grow strong enough to carry the harvest the President promises will be a question for voters to weigh when they go to the polls in August.