Zambians head to the polls in August with jobs and living costs at the top of their concerns. The outcome could also impact the ongoing global competition for critical minerals and redefine ties with China and the US.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FtqHZambia's President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking reelection Image: Kathy ShortAdvertisementZambia's general election is scheduled for August 13, 2026. For many Zambians, the main concerns are more jobs, particularly for young people. Inflationremains a major economic challenge, with double-digit price growth continuing to exacerbate the cost of living crisis. But the stakes go beyond Zambia's borders. The election result could impact investment in critical minerals and economic reforms. It could also shape Zambia's relationships with major global powers, such as the US, the EU, and China.
Political parties are mobilizing nationwide, focusing on unemployment, poverty, electricity shortages, and healthcare. "These elections will shape Zambia's future and unity. Peace and stability are essential for economic growth and maintaining investor confidence in key sectors such as mining," Bizeck Jube Phiri, a historian and political analyst at the University of Zambia, told DW.
Fourteen presidential candidates have been cleared to contest the election, underscoring Zambia's competitive political scene. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) is seeking a second term.
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His administration has prioritized debt restructuring and fiscal discipline. He also hopes to attract more investment to mining. Supporters say these policies are strengthening the economy, while critics maintain the benefits have yet to reach ordinary households.
Among President Hichilema's main challengers is Brian Mundubile, leader of the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance, campaigning on cost of living, job creation, and governance reforms. Other aspirants include Fred M'membe of the Socialist Party and Harry Kalaba of Citizens First. Former lawmaker Given Katuta is the only female candidate.
For many Zambians, the election is about economic survival. Sydney Ngandu, a ruling party supporter, backs Hichilema's re-election. "President Hichilema is disciplined and hardworking. He should be given another term to continue developing the economy," Ngandu told DW.
Frustration over rising prices is widespread. Security guard Richwell Mwambazi, an opposition supporter, said workers need urgent relief. "Life is difficult," Mwambazi said.
"I want leaders who will improve wages, create jobs, and protect workers."
Young voters are also demanding change. First-time voter Natasha Khazile told DW that her generation wants leaders who understand their struggles. "This is about the future we are inheriting. I want a leader who understands the challenges young people are facing, especially unemployment and the rising cost of living."
Development expert Charity Musamba said tackling affordability must be the top priority. "The first issue this election should address is the cost-of-living crisis. People want solutions that will help them afford food and other necessities."
Domestic issues aside, Zambia's election is attracting unusual international attention because of its role as Africa's second-largest copper producer, after the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Copper is an essential component of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and infrastructure, thereby increasing Zambia's strategic importance in the global energy transition.
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The Zambian government seeks to boost copper output, positioning the sector as a driver of economic growth and foreign investment. Stability after the election is critical to achieving those goals. "Investors want certainty," Nicholus Mainza, an economist at the Economics Association of Zambia, told DW. "Political stability and policy consistency will be critical if Zambia is to attract long-term investment and achieve its ambitions of increasing copper production," Mainza added.
China remains one of Zambia's major economic partners, particularly in mining and infrastructure. Lusaka recently secured a $1.5 billion (€1.3 billion) energy agreement from the Chinese state-owned firm China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC). The deal, which covers solar, wind and coal-fired projects, is expected to add 900 megawatts of power capacity as Zambia grapples with recurring electricity shortages linked to drought and its heavy reliance on hydropower.
At the same time, the US has deepened engagement through theLobito Corridor, a major rail and logistics project linking Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. The initiative intends to transport minerals—especially copper and cobalt—from Central Africa to Angola's Atlantic port of Lobito for export to global markets.
The Lobito Corridor is also a component of a broader Western push to secure supply chains for critical minerals amid growing global demand. "What happens in Zambia will not only matter to Zambians," Anthony Mukwita, a former Zambian diplomat, told DW. "It will matter to global powers competing for access to critical minerals and seeking reliable partners in Africa."
Relations between Lusaka and Washington have strained in recent months. A proposed US-Zambia health funding agreement worth more than $1 billion has stalled amid disagreements over its terms and broader governance concerns. The impasse comes after Washington previously cut part of its health assistance over 'systemic theft' of donated medicines, exposing persistent weaknesses in Zambia's public health system.
Zambia's influence reaches beyond its borders. As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), it plays a key role in regional trade and diplomacy. As campaigning intensifies, voters will judge candidates primarily on jobs, prices, and living conditions. But the outcome will also be closely watched in Beijing, Washington, and beyond.
