Hichilema Appoints 24 Ministers as Zambia Expands Government to 30 Ministries

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has appointed 24 Cabinet ministers following Parliament’s approval to increase the number of government ministries from 24 to 30, with the appointments announced on October 28, 2026, a day after the National Assembly approved the restructuring.

The changes introduce separate portfolios for Electricity, Petroleum, Trade and Exports, Industry, Skills and Higher Education, and Culture and Arts, as the government seeks to align its administrative structure with its economic development priorities under the Grow Zambia Agenda.

The appointments are Ambrose Lufuma (Defence); Clement Andaleki (Home Affairs and Internal Security); Moses Moyo (Agriculture); Olive Chiboola (Fisheries and Livestock); Caroline Katotobwe (Trade and Exports); Noel Nkoma (Industry); Lackson Sichone (Small and Medium Enterprise Development); Brenda Tambatamba (Mines and Minerals Development); Peter Kapala (Electricity); Makozo Chikote (Petroleum); Princess Kasune (Tourism); Collins Nzovu (Infrastructure and Urban Development); Patrick Mucheleka (Lands); Elisha Matambo (Water Development and Sanitation); Elvis Nkandu (Information and Media); Douglas Syakalima (Skills and Higher Education); Felix Mutati (Technology and Science); Harry Kamboni (Education); Gift Sialubalo (Local Government and Rural Development); Jack Mwiimbu (Justice); Misheck Nyambose (Labour and Social Security); Sheal Mulyata (Community Development and Social Services); Likando Mufalali (Youth and Sports); and Christopher Chibuye (Culture and Arts).

State House says the realignment is intended to improve public-sector delivery and ensure government institutions support the country’s economic priorities.

The restructuring reflects the strategic management principle that organisational structure should support strategic objectives. The Grow Zambia Agenda targets higher production, productivity, industrialisation, exports and employment, with ambitions including 10,000 megawatts of electricity generation, 10 million tonnes of maize production, five million international tourist arrivals and US$1 billion in beef exports, alongside increased output in copper, soybeans, wheat and sugar.

Achieving these goals will require more than policy announcements: it will depend on investment, infrastructure, technology, access to finance, effective institutions and coordinated implementation.

A value-chain approach illustrates why this coordination matters, as increasing maize production, for example, requires not only improved seeds and affordable fertiliser but also irrigation, mechanisation, agricultural financing, storage, processing, reliable electricity, transportation and access to domestic and export markets.

The government’s role in this model is to create an enabling environment for private-sector-led growth, supporting farmers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, investors and exporters through effective regulation, infrastructure, energy supply, financing opportunities and access to markets.

However, expanding the number of ministries also raises questions about administrative costs, overlapping responsibilities and the potential for greater bureaucracy. The restructuring will therefore need clear mandates, effective coordination, spending controls and measurable performance targets to demonstrate that the benefits outweigh the additional costs.

Ultimately, its success should be judged by tangible outcomes, including higher agricultural and industrial output, expanded exports, increased private investment, improved energy availability, sustainable job creation, rising household incomes and reduced poverty; without measurable progress on these indicators, a larger government structure alone will not deliver the ambitions of the Grow Zambia Agenda.