By Staff Reporter
Hakainde Hichilema’s misrule and corruption riddled government must never be given another chance to see the light of day in State House after the 2026 general elections, says Citizens First (CF) leader Harry Kalaba.
And Kalaba has stated that if voted into office next year, his party would restore public trust and investor confidence by rooting out corruption and strengthening accountability in state institutions.
In a write up shared with Daily Revelation over the weekend, Kalaba argued that President Hichilema’s administration had proved to be the very definition of failure, where donor money was being cut from the country’s already meagre resources owing to his failure to fight corruption in the country.
Kalaba stated that it made sad reading that President Hichilema’s own State House officials were now being mentioned as interfering in the procurement of public goods and services.
Kalaba said more puzzling was President Hichilema’s silence over the recent revelation by former Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA ) director general Victor Nyasulu that he received phones calls from the President’s aides, Dr Lawrence Mwananyanda and Professor Roma Chilengi, about procurements in the agency.
He stated that despite these very worrying revelations, Zambians should not hesitate to show President Hichilema and his administration the backdoor come 2026, arguing he had the vision to steer the country away from the current filthy.
Kalaba stated that as Africa’s second-largest copper producer, Zambia possessed a powerful asset that if strategically harnessed, could be the springboard for broad-based development.
“With poverty levels still above 60% and unemployment especially high among youth, Zambia needs transformative economic strategies that should go beyond temporary fixes to structural, long-term change,” Kalaba stated, indicating that achieving double-digit economic growth and inclusive development required bold reforms, diversified investment, and a relentless focus on execution.
He shared some points of strategic framework that the Zambian government would follow on should CF be voted into office.
He stated that CF would maximise copper revenues through smart resource governance, renegotiate mining contracts and ensure Zambia secured a fair share of mineral wealth through transparent, investor-friendly, but assertive agreements that captured windfall profits during high price cycles.
Kalaba also stated that his party would establish a sovereign wealth fund, channel mining revenues into a fund that supports long-term investments in infrastructure, education, and health key pillars of sustainable growth.
He also stated that his party would promote value addition, shift from raw copper exports to local processing and gave an example of copper wire and electronics parts, attracting manufacturers and increasing export earnings.
Kalaba added that CF would aggressively diversify the economy beyond mining and agriculture modernisation where there would be investment in irrigation, seed research, rural roads and agro-processing.
He stated that Zambia had vast arable land and water resources that remained under-utilised, adding that transforming agriculture could create millions of jobs and reduce rural poverty.
On tourism sector expansion, he stated that his party would leverage Zambia’s natural heritage by building infrastructure around tourist sites, improving connectivity, and developing hospitality training institutions.
Kalaba also stated that CF would support SMEs (small medium enterprises) and local industries, offer tax incentives, subsidise credit, and capacity-building programs to Zambian-owned small and medium enterprises in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, ICT (Information, Communication, Technology) and green energy.
Another strategy he talked about was to invest in human capital to power the economy.
“Skills alignment with market needs: reform the education system to focus on technical and vocational training in areas such as mining engineering, ICT, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship,” he stated.
Kalaba also stated that a healthy population was a productive population and to demonstrate this, CF would expand access to healthcare, especially in rural areas, to reduce disease burden and increase labour productivity.
He stated that his party would also unleash the private sector through policy and regulatory reform, streamline business processes and reduce bureaucratic red tape and digitalise public services to make it easier to start and run a business in Zambia.
Kalaba stated that CF would also enhance access to finance, encourage the development of microfinance, agricultural banks, and finch to widen access to capital for underserved groups, particularly women and youth.
On Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Kalaba stated that CF would use PPPs to develop infrastructure such as roads, energy and ports without overburdening public debt, while stimulating job creation and private investment.
He stated that his party would build resilient infrastructure and digital economy, ensure energy security by investing in a diversified energy mix (solar, hydro, wind, and thermal) to ensure reliable power supply for industries and homes.
On transport corridors, Kalaba stated that CF would upgrade national roads, rail, and regional trade routes to improve logistics and reduce business costs.
On digital transformation, he stated that his party would promote digital literacy, internet access, and local tech entrepreneurship to position Zambia for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
On enhancing macroeconomic stability and governance, Kalaba stated that CF would ensure fiscal discipline, control public debt and reduce reliance on external borrowing through better tax collection and spending efficiency.
He stated that his party would also expand cash transfers and food security programs for the poorest, linked to productive activities like community work or agricultural inputs.
On regional integration and trade promotion, Kalaba stated that the party would leverage the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area), through the use of Zambia’s location to become a trade hub in southern Africa by developing export-ready industries and logistics infrastructure.
He stated that CF would also promote regional value chains, where it would collaborate with neighbouring countries to develop joint agricultural, mineral, and manufacturing ventures that enhances competitiveness.
Kalaba further stated that Zambia had the resources, youth population, and strategic location to become a middle-income, industrialised economy.
“But this will not happen by chance. It requires visionary leadership, disciplined execution, and public-private cooperation. A long-term economic transformation plan—with copper at the core, but diversification as the engine—can unlock double-digit growth, lift millions out of poverty, and give Zambians a future of dignity and prosperity,” stated Kalaba.
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