President Hichilema Calls on Youth to Lead the Fight Against Corruption
President Hakainde Hichilema has urged young people across Zambia to take a leading role in the fight against corruption, stressing that a corruption-free nation is essential for equitable development and improved opportunities for all citizens.
Speaking in Lusaka during the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration, held under the theme “Uniting with the Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” President Hichilema emphasised that combating corruption requires collective responsibility and a strong focus on youth empowerment.
He described young people as “great partners in the fight against corruption” and called on them to be vigilant, challenge wrongdoing, and reject practices that undermine national progress. “Our educational curriculum must evolve so that integrity becomes a value children grow up with. They are the inheritors and guardians of our nation’s future,” he said.
President Hichilema reaffirmed the government’s commitment to confronting corruption at all levels while fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. “Together, we must build a Zambia where public resources serve the people, opportunities are based on merit, and corruption has no place in our society,” he added.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Board Chairperson, Hon. Justice Evans Hamaundu (Rtd), also urged the youth to take centre stage in the anti-corruption movement, noting that they form the country’s largest demographic group.
He encouraged them to champion ethical behaviour, raise community awareness, and harness digital platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok and AI tools to advance transparency and support anonymous reporting.
Justice Hamaundu highlighted several ACC youth initiatives, including anti-corruption clubs in schools and higher learning institutions, and educational materials designed to instil integrity from an early age.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms Beatrice M. Mutali reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s anti-corruption agenda. She commended recent government measures such as the 2024 Bribe Payers Index, legislative reforms, the Anonymous Online Whistle-blower System, and the establishment of a financial crimes court.
Lusaka Province Minister Hon. Sheal Mulyata praised President Hichilema’s push for transparency, noting strengthened public accountability mechanisms. ACC Director General Mrs Daphne Chabu urged all stakeholders to remain united, stressing that safeguarding Zambia’s future requires strong institutions, robust systems and shared values anchored in integrity.
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) President Priscilla Chansa warned that young people and marginalised communities bear the heaviest burden of corruption, calling for greater investment in youth capacity-building.
Youth representative Brian Mung’andu appealed for increased inclusion of young people in policy-making and anti-corruption initiatives, noting that Zambia’s future must be shaped by the aspirations of its youth.
The event brought together government officials, civil society, development partners, students, and members of the public, all reaffirming their commitment to building a transparent, accountable and corruption-free Zambia.
