Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema's leadership has garnered significant international recognition, extending his credentials beyond national borders. This global acknowledgment affirms his capacity to lead with vision, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to national development, as highlighted by Mr. Kapeya of the UPND Media Team. Domestically, Mr. Kapeya noted sustained peace and security, unprecedented job creation, increased financial empowerment, and notable growth in the production of goods and services under President Hichilema's tenure.

Further emphasizing domestic achievements, Mr. Kapeya pointed to Zambia’s economic recovery, the appreciation of the Kwacha against major foreign currencies, decisive debt restructuring efforts, and increased citizen participation in improving livelihoods. He underscored the administration's demonstration of fiscal prudence, institutional reform, revitalisation of the mining sector, and macroeconomic stabilisation. President Hichilema's recent appointment as the interim incoming Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), following his distinguished service as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, further illustrates his growing regional influence. Mr. Kapeya urged citizens to rally behind President Hichilema and to disregard political detractors whose criticisms have been discredited by both national and global realities.

The Telegraph's assessment provides crucial context for this international acclaim, recalling Zambia's challenging position as the first African country to default on sovereign debt in November 2020. At that time, public finances were distressed, investor confidence was shattered, and relations with creditors were strained. The international evaluation of Zambia's trajectory from this low point is key, rather than an expectation of perfection.

Under President Hichilema's leadership, Zambia has achieved a significant turnaround, including successful debt restructuring that sharply reduces repayment pressure and restores credibility with lenders. Foreign reserves have reached a record high, a testament to the fiscal discipline implemented by his administration. Government spending has been brought under tighter control, arrears addressed more transparently, and engagement with the IMF and creditors has been consistent and constructive, signals closely monitored by global markets.

These policy shifts explain Zambia’s projected economic growth of 5.8 percent in 2025 and 6.4 percent in 2026, even after the economic shock of an El Niño-induced drought. The mining sector is central to this positive outlook, with revived investor confidence and anticipated record production stemming from clarified tax regimes, restored dialogue with mining firms, and reduced uncertainty that had previously stalled investments.

Zambia's international credibility has also been bolstered by its diplomacy. President Hichilema has positioned the nation as a pragmatic actor capable of balancing Eastern and Western partnerships without ideological rigidity. In a fragmented global order, this ability to navigate competing interests enhances a leader’s standing and ensures Zambia's regular feature in global economic conversations.

While international evaluations focus on macroeconomic stability and institutional reform, domestic critics often highlight persistent cost-of-living pressures, load shedding, and uneven service delivery. However, these concerns coexist with fiscal outcomes that have expanded the government's capacity to act. Notably, over 60,000 civil servants have been recruited, and significant investments made in education, from free primary, basic, and secondary education to expanded teacher recruitment and tertiary spending – initiatives only possible in a stable fiscal environment.

This creates a gap between domestic perception, where politics is often judged daily through prices and personal hardship, and global assessment, which prioritizes macroeconomic stability, debt sustainability, and investor confidence. The Telegraph's recognition acknowledges competence in managing a collapsed fiscal space and restoring credibility after default, a significant global achievement, rather than claiming universal prosperity or political harmony.

For Zambia's opposition, this international respect limits narratives of national collapse, while for government supporters, it serves as a sobering reminder that global praise does not automatically translate into domestic satisfaction. President Hichilema's global reception is based on numbers, policy choices, and fiscal outcomes, yet his domestic challenge remains converting this macro stability into tangible everyday relief for citizens. Both these truths define Zambia's current political moment.