‘My five years plan,’ Hichilema makes promises as 14th National Assembly declared open

He said the Government would intensify efforts to eliminate corruption, remove unnecessary administrative barriers, digitise border processes and establish more seamless border operations to improve trade and investor confidence.

“To position and stabilise Zambia as a regional transport and logistics hub, we will accelerate the development of strategic transport corridors, including the Durban, Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi, Lobito, TAZARA, and Nacala corridors,” Hichilema said.

He described borders as critical gateways for trade, tourism and investment, adding that the Grow Zambia agenda would focus on economic expansion, national connectivity, improved living standards, an efficient public sector and sustainable financing for development.

Under the Government’s production agenda, Hichilema reiterated targets that include producing 10 million tonnes of maize, three million tonnes of soya beans, one million tonnes of wheat and one million tonnes of sugar.

Hichilema said the Government would accelerate investment in the energy sector and expand electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts.

“We will therefore continue to accelerate investment in the energy sector and expand the country’s electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts,” he said.

He said the Government would facilitate private-sector and citizen-led investment in energy to create jobs and business opportunities, while upgrading the national transmission network to improve reliability and regional connectivity.

“Connecting our national grid to regional power pools is now critical. This is the time for enhanced public-private participation in transmission and distribution of electricity,” he said.

In mining, Hichilema reaffirmed the target of increasing copper production to three million tonnes annually, citing projects expected to support expansion in the sector.

He named Mingomba, Kitumba, Kansanshi S3 and Lumwana Super Pit among the projects expected to contribute to renewed mining activity.

On energy security, Hichilema announced plans to strengthen petroleum supply through proposed pipelines linking Zambia with Angola, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, alongside greater use of existing fuel depots and a fuel-blending strategy.

“Given the instability in global fuel supply caused by geopolitical tensions, this Government has resolved that all Government institutions will now acquire only electric vehicles,” he said.

He said the Government would invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the country in partnership with the private sector, urging businesses and citizens to embrace cleaner transport.

Hichilema said the Government intended to transform tourism into a multibillion-dollar industry by increasing annual tourist arrivals to five million.

He also announced plans to establish public universities in provinces that do not have one and accelerate digitalisation, including the adoption of artificial intelligence.

“We must build the foundations that this emerging technology requires: internet access in every corner of our country, stronger data infrastructure including our own data centres, the talent to harness its potential,” he said.

Hichilema called for national unity, patriotism and hard work, saying the successful implementation of the agenda would require collective commitment to the country’s development goals.

He then declared the First Session of the Fourteenth National Assembly officially open.

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