Hakainde Hichilema

President Hakainde Hichilema was elected President of the Republic of Zambia in August 2021. The election saw the highest voter turnout figures ever recorded in Zambia, with President Hichilema particularly successful in attracting votes from young people, who were drawn to his platform of job creation and economic rebuilding.

In the Corporate World, President Hichilema rose quickly through the ranks, becoming the Chief Executive Officer of both Coopers Lybrand Zambia in 1994 and Grant Thornton Zambia in 1998. He has sat on numerous boards and has Chaired Barclays Bank Zambia (Plc), Sun International, Africa Trade Insurance (ATI), among others. President Hichilema is a self-made businessman, entrepreneur and farmer. He is one of the top cattle ranchers in Zambia and also has investments in tourism and other sectors.

President Hichilema is also a philanthropist, involved in provision of education for the underprivileged, community activities and projects such as clinics, schools, clean water and building dams to enhance agriculture activities in Zambia. He is a family man, married to Mutinta and together they have three children.

He was born into humble beginnings in the southern town of Monze, Zambia. He was admitted to the University of Zambia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Economics and Business Administration and later earned an MBA in Finance and Business Strategy from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

President Hichilema is firmly focused on reviving the economy for the benefit of all citizens. Under his leadership, Zambia has recorded key successes, including the introduction of free education at the primary and secondary level, and a substantial increase in the Constituency Development Fund. President Hichilema is firmly committed to upholding the rule of law, upholding of human rights and freedoms, and he has made quick progress in repairing the country’s relations and standing with international partners and foreign investors.