Lusaka, Zambia (Running Africa) — President Hakainde Hichilema has won a second five-year term after securing about 60% of the vote in Zambia’s August 13 presidential election, according to official results released on Tuesday.
His main challenger, Brian Mundubile, finished with 38%, mounting a stronger-than-expected challenge centered on public frustration over the cost of living and whether Zambia’s improving economic indicators have translated into better conditions for ordinary households.
The result gives Hichilema another mandate to lead one of Africa’s largest copper producers after a first term dominated by debt restructuring, economic reforms and efforts to recover from Zambia’s 2020 sovereign default.
Hichilema Wins Zambia Presidential Election With 60%
Official results confirmed Hichilema as the winner of the 2026 Zambia presidential election, comfortably clearing the more than 50% threshold required to avoid a run-off.
The victory secures a second term for the president, who first came to power in 2021 promising economic reform and stronger governance after years in opposition.
Mundubile received about 38% of the vote, establishing himself as Hichilema’s principal challenger in an election shaped heavily by economic concerns.
His campaign sought to capitalize on dissatisfaction over rising household expenses, arguing that many Zambians have yet to experience the benefits of the government’s economic recovery program.
Cost of Living Emerges as Major Zambia Election Issue
Hichilema campaigned heavily on his administration’s handling of the economy since inheriting a country struggling with the consequences of its 2020 sovereign debt default.
His government has made progress in restructuring Zambia’s debt and improving key economic indicators, strengthening confidence in the country’s recovery.
But the election also exposed a continuing divide between macroeconomic progress and household living conditions.
For many voters, the cost of food, fuel, electricity and other essentials remained central concerns, giving Mundubile an opportunity to challenge the government’s economic record.
Hichilema’s second term will therefore be judged partly on whether broader economic improvements translate into tangible gains in jobs, incomes and living standards.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Election Irregularities
Despite Hichilema’s victory, the election period was marked by controversy surrounding the counting process and security incidents.
The Electoral Commission temporarily suspended vote counting following reports of violence against election personnel and the theft of marked ballot papers.
Mundubile has alleged possible electoral irregularities and called for an independent investigation into aspects of the process.
Hichilema’s supporters have rejected the allegations.
The dispute means questions surrounding electoral transparency could continue beyond the declaration of the official results.
Arrests and Gunfire Heighten Post-Election Tensions
Political tensions intensified after voting when authorities arrested 11 people, including opposition figures, during a security raid that involved an exchange of gunfire.
Authorities have defended the operation on security grounds, while opposition figures have accused the government of targeting political rivals.
The arrests, combined with the temporary suspension of vote counting and opposition allegations of irregularities, created a tense backdrop to the announcement of the final result.
Zambia has built a reputation for competitive elections and peaceful democratic transitions, placing additional scrutiny on how the government and opposition handle disputes following the vote.
Zambia’s Copper Industry Adds Global Stakes to Hichilema Victory
Beyond domestic politics, Hichilema’s victory carries international economic significance.
Zambia is one of Africa’s leading copper producers, giving the country an increasingly important position as global demand rises for minerals needed for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure and the wider energy transition.
Both China and the United States have sought stronger economic and strategic relationships with mineral-rich African countries, placing Zambia at the center of growing competition over critical mineral supply chains.
Expanding copper production while ensuring mining revenues generate jobs and wider economic benefits will remain a major challenge during Hichilema’s second term.
Hichilema Begins Second Term With Economic Expectations High
The election result gives Hichilema another five years to build on the economic reforms that defined his first term.
But winning a second mandate does not remove the pressures that shaped the campaign.
With Mundubile securing 38% after focusing heavily on the cost of living, the result also demonstrates the scale of public concern over whether Zambia’s economic recovery is reaching ordinary citizens.
For Hichilema, the challenge of his second term will be turning debt restructuring, investment and stronger economic indicators into improvements Zambians can see in their everyday lives — while navigating political tensions and growing international competition for the country’s copper resources.
