Leaders

Hakainde Hichilema

Who leads Zambia? Hakainde Hichilema, President. Profile, record and power assessment from the Magna Bureau leader index.

President — Zambia

Record & power

Record score	59
Power score	57

Country momentum 0 — Quarterly momentum: the Bureau's read on the country's trajectory over the last quarter, from −10 (deteriorating fast) to +10 (accelerating).

Why it matters

Restructured $12bn+ in external debt; inflation 6.2% (Aug 2026, lowest since 2018); kwacha +31% since Dec 2024 (best performer Aug 2026); copper 890kt (2025, +8%); free secondary education for 2.3m children.
GDP 7.7% Q1 2026; govt sees 6.4% for 2026 (IMF 4.3–4.5%); external debt $15.36bn (June 2026); 1Mt copper target within reach.
Democratic norms improved from the Lungu era; 2026 vote credible; some opposition harassment complaints persist.
Positions Zambia as Africa's reform champion — the debt-restructuring success story now chasing 3Mt copper by 2031.

Other leaders

Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt Rashad al-Alimi Cyril Ramaphosa Emmerson Mnangagwa

Zambia Rankings

Across the Bureau

Zambia — Country Profile History of Zambia — Timeline Zambia Ranking — Magna Country Rankings Zambia — Military File Did Zambia acquire Bell 412 EPE helicopters?Did Zambia acquire L-15 and K-8 aircraft, UAVs, helicopters?What is the population of Zambia?Who is the president of Zambia?