President Hichilema Named Among Telegraph’s World Leaders of 2025
President Hakainde Hichilema has been recognised as one of the Telegraph World Leaders of 2025, a reflection of Zambia’s remarkable economic turnaround under his leadership and his adept handling of complex international relations.
The UK-based Telegraph, a leading global news brand with over one million paid subscribers and approximately 400 million monthly visitors, selected President Hichilema following a two-round assessment by a panel of expert judges. The decision highlighted the President’s success in stabilising the economy despite severe aid cuts and other structural challenges.
In November, Foreign Editor Louis Emmanuel informed the President of his selection, noting: “We were struck by the extraordinary transformation in Zambia and your ability to stabilise the economy while facing drastic aid cuts.”
The recognition comes amid intense international interest in Zambia, with both China and the United States actively courting the country. In November, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Zambia, signing multiple cooperation agreements during Beijing’s first high-level visit in 28 years. Around the same time, US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Donald Trump Jr., visited to discuss investment and aid commitments.
Since taking office four years ago, President Hichilema, often referred to as “HH” or “Bally”, has overseen a dramatic economic recovery. Zambia had been heavily in debt, with missed government salary payments and a default on debt obligations during the pandemic.
However, through debt restructuring, fiscal discipline, and targeted investment in sectors such as copper mining, agriculture, and hydroelectric power, Zambia is now projecting economic growth of 5.8 per cent in 2025 and 6.4 per cent in 2026.
The President has also strengthened Zambia’s mining sector, attracting major investors including Anglo American, First Quantum Minerals, Barrick, and newcomer Kobold, with plans to more than triple copper output from 800,000 tonnes annually to three million tonnes by the early 2030s.
Highlighting his diplomatic balance, President Hichilema has maintained constructive relations with both Eastern and Western powers, emphasising that Zambia will engage with all partners without taking sides. He met King Charles in October at Dumfries House in Scotland, reaffirming Zambia’s strong partnership with the United Kingdom.
Commenting on the country’s progress, the President said: “We inherited a government and a country which was basically a basket case. The debt was wrapped around our necks like a python. We had to act to free the country and attract investment.”
The Telegraph’s recognition cements President Hichilema’s status as a leader who has successfully navigated domestic economic challenges while raising Zambia’s profile on the global stage.
