France, Aug. 13 -- Thirteen other candidates are challenging Hichilema for the presidency, with opponents claiming his economic reforms have failed to reduce the cost of living for ordinary people and accusing him of reducing the space for dissent.

Former businessman Hichilema was elected to the head of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in 2021, the year after Zambia defaulted on its sovereign debt repayments during the Covid-19 pandemic.

His government launched a debt restructuring process that saw ratings agencies officially lift Zambia's default status in November 2025, drawing back international investors - notably China.

Both Zambia's stock market and its currency were among the best performing in the world last yea...