Zambia’s political landscape has been roiled following The Telegraph’s inclusion of President Hakainde Hichilema on its list of best-performing global leaders of 2025. The British publication praised Hichilema for steering Zambia from a debt-laden economy to a model of fiscal discipline, highlighting improved investor confidence, strengthened institutions, and careful financial management. Analysts also lauded his ability to balance economic recovery with diplomatic engagement, safeguarding Zambia’s interests while maintaining international relations.

However, the accolade triggered sharp criticism from Brian Mundubile, the Patriotic Front (PF) presidential candidate. In a lengthy Facebook post, Mundubile dismissed the recognition, citing ongoing poverty, electricity shortages, unpaid farmers, and soaring fuel prices. He urged Zambians to view the ranking with skepticism, arguing that The Telegraph’s editorial praise ignores “the real-life struggles of Zambians.” He described Hichilema as a “salesman of hope who forgot to deliver,” claiming that global recognition blinds citizens to local hardships.

Mundubile’s post, however, sparked backlash from his own supporters, many accusing him of bitterness and selective outrage. Some even likened his reaction to “witchcraft,” pointing out that the country’s debt crisis, which Hichilema inherited, was primarily created under the PF government. Critics reminded him that international praise does not diminish Zambia’s economic challenges, but rather acknowledges the substantial progress in fiscal stability.

Economists note that The Telegraph focused on macroeconomic achievements such as debt restructuring, currency stabilization, and fiscal transparency. Under Hichilema, Zambia successfully negotiated debt relief after defaulting on Eurobond obligations in November 2020, rebuilt investor confidence, and improved fiscal reporting, as confirmed by IMF program reviews and World Bank assessments. These efforts are credited with averting a deeper economic collapse.

Mundubile’s critique often omits historical context. During the PF administration, Zambia’s public debt exceeded 120% of GDP, foreign reserves fell below two months of import cover, and fuel and electricity subsidies were unsustainably financed, leaving the country cut off from international capital markets by 2021. Poverty, meanwhile, was already entrenched, with rates above 60% according to the Zambia Statistics Agency. Hichilema’s administration has made modest gains in governance, debt transparency, and procurement disclosure, though challenges remain.

While Mundubile insists that “Zambians need bread, not bouquets,” experts highlight that macroeconomic stability forms the foundation for affordability and availability of essential goods. Debt restructuring, fiscal discipline, and currency stabilization are prerequisites for preventing worsening inflation and economic dislocation. In this light, international recognition of Hichilema reflects confidence in Zambia’s fiscal rehabilitation, rather than a dismissal of ongoing citizen hardships.

The debate underscores the tension between immediate welfare concerns and long-term economic recovery. Zambia’s experience demonstrates that acknowledging fiscal progress does not negate the daily realities faced by its citizens, and a balanced discussion requires recognition of both achievements and enduring challenges.