, Aug. 12 -- Zambia goes to the polls Thursday in an election that will determine whether President Hakainde Hichilema secures a second five-year term, with voters weighing his economic reforms against persistent concerns over the high cost of living.The southern African country, one of the world's leading copper producers, defaulted on sovereign debt in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Since taking office in 2021, Hichilema's government has restructured more than $12 billion in debt owed to foreign governments and private creditors, while reducing inflation and helping stabilize the national currency.

Hichilema's long-term economic strategy includes increasing annual copper production to 3 million metric tons by 2031, more than three ti...