From cattle rancher to president: the remarkable rise of Zambia's Hakainde Hichilema
Born in a village, Hakainde Hichilema built a career as a corporate executive and the nation's second-largest cattle rancher before entering politics. After five failed presidential bids and a harrowing stint in prison on treason charges, he secured the presidency in 2021 and won re-election in 2026.
Hakainde Hichilema, born in 1962 in the Monze District, followed an academic path that led to an MBA in Finance and Business Strategy from the University of Birmingham. Before his political career, he held leadership roles as CEO of Coopers and Lybrand Zambia and Grant Thornton Zambia. His business acumen extends to agriculture, where he is recognized as the second-largest cattle rancher in Zambia. His name also appeared in the Panama Papers as a former director of the Bermuda-based AfNat Resources Ltd, a company involved in nickel exploration.
Hichilema’s political journey was marked by significant adversity. After taking the helm of the United Party for National Development in 2006, he contested five presidential elections before his 2021 victory. His opposition to President Edgar Lungu led to his arrest on treason charges in 2017. During his four-month imprisonment, he reported severe mistreatment, including solitary confinement and physical abuse. The arrest drew international condemnation from groups like the Africa Liberal Network and figures such as Kofi Annan, and sparked protests across Zambia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Since assuming the presidency in 2021, Hichilema has positioned himself as the country's 'chief marketing officer,' traveling extensively to promote the Zambian economy and secure investments, such as the $1.25 billion expansion by First Quantum Minerals. His administration has focused on international diplomacy, including engagement with the IMF and the United Nations. In 2026, he signed the Education (Amendment) Act, enshrining free education as a permanent legal right. Having secured a second term in 2026 with at least 60% of the vote, he remains a central figure in Zambian governance.
Source: Hakainde Hichilema
