Here’s a comparison of President Hakainde Hichilema’s key promises versus the current situation: ECONOMIC INDICATORS
EXCHANGE RATE- Promise: Single-digit Kwacha-Dollar rate (between 0 and 9)- August 2021: 1 USD = 19.28 ZMW- January 2025: 1 USD = 27.74 ZMW- Percentage change: 43.9% depreciation
FUEL PRICES- Promise: Reduce fuel prices- August 2021: Petrol cost 17.62 Kwacha per liter- January 2025: Petrol costs 34.67 Kwacha per liter- Percentage change: 96.8% increase
MEALIE MEAL PRICES (25KG BAG)- Promise: Keep prices at 50 Kwacha or below- August 2021: Average price was around 139 Kwacha- January 2025: Prices range between 293.22 Kwacha (Roller) and 341.11 Kwacha (Breakfast)- Percentage change: 110.9% to 145.4% increase
GDP GROWTH- Promise: Boost economic growth- 2021: 4.6% growth- 2024: 2.3% growth (projected)- Percentage change: 50% decrease
ELECTRICITY PRICES AND LOAD SHEDDING
*PROMISE:* Reduce electricity prices and end load shedding
REALITY:- August 2021: Load shedding was minimal- January 2025: Up to 20 hours of load shedding per day in some areas
*LARGEST TARIFF INCREASES:*- Residential: R6 (>500 kWh) increased by 161.9%- Commercial: C4 (>500 kWh) increased by 39.9%- Maximum Demand: MD2 increased by 115.0%
GOVERNANCE AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
ASSET DECLARATION- Promise: Enhance transparency and fight corruption- Reality: Hichilema has refused to declare his assets, contradicting his anti-corruption stance.
MEDIA FREEDOM- Promise: Restore press freedom and civil liberties- Reality: Reports of growing intolerance for political opposition and dissent, with some cases of arbitrary detention and censorship.
*POVERTY REDUCTION*- Promise: Lift more people out of poverty- Reality: Poverty reached 64.3% of the population in 2022, up from 54.4% in 2015
INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY CRISIS- Promise: End load shedding- Reality: Load shedding remains a significant problem, with reports of up to 21 consecutive hours of power cuts per day in some areas
PRESIDENTIAL JET- Promise: Sell the presidential jet- Reality: No reports of the presidential jet being sold
Here’s a comparison of President Hakainde Hichilema’s key promises versus the current situation: ECONOMIC INDICATORS
