Presidency
“I am a good example of what free education can do.”
- Hakainde Hichilema
President Hakainde Hichilema
Office of The President
President Hakainde Hichilema was elected President of the Republic of Zambia in August 2021. The election saw the highest voter turnout figures ever recorded in Zambia, with President Hichilema particularly successful in attracting votes from young people, who were drawn to his platform of job creation and economic rebuilding.
In the Corporate World, President Hichilema rose quickly through the ranks, becoming the Chief Executive Officer of both Coopers Lybrand Zambia in 1994 and Grant Thornton Zambia in 1998. He has sat on numerous boards and has Chaired Barclays Bank Zambia (Plc), Sun International, Africa Trade Insurance (ATI), among others. President Hichilema is a self-made businessman, entrepreneur and farmer. He is one of the top cattle ranchers in Zambia and also has investments in tourism and other sectors.
President Hichilema is also a philanthropist, involved in provision of education for the underprivileged, community activities and projects such as clinics, schools, clean water and building dams to enhance agriculture activities in Zambia. He is a family man, married to Mutinta and together they have three children.
He was born into humble beginnings in the southern town of Monze, Zambia. He was admitted to the University of Zambia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Economics and Business Administration and later earned an MBA in Finance and Business Strategy from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
President Hichilema is firmly focused on reviving the economy for the benefit of all citizens. Under his leadership, Zambia has recorded key successes, including the introduction of free education at the primary and secondary level, and a substantial increase in the Constituency Development Fund. President Hichilema is firmly committed to upholding the rule of law, upholding of human rights and freedoms, and he has made quick progress in repairing the country’s relations and standing with international partners and foreign investors.
Functions of The President
The executive functions of the President according to Article 92 of the constitution of Zambia include, among others:
- Appointing ambassadors, high commissioners, plenipotentiaries, diplomatic representatives and consuls.
- Receiving and accrediting foreign ambassadors, high commissioners, plenipotentiaries, diplomatic representatives, consuls and heads of international organisations.
- Negotiating and signing international agreements and treaties subject to the approval of the National Assembly, ratify or accede to international agreements and treaties.
- Conferring honours.
- Signing and promulgating proclamations as specified in the constitution, or as prescribed and among other functions.
- Initiating bills for submission to and consideration by, the National Assembly.
The Presidency is charged with the critical responsibility of the overall governance of Zambia and ensuring that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation is upheld for the sole purpose of protecting and safeguarding the interests of the country, its citizens and residents.
The mandate of the President of the Republic of Zambia who is also Commander-in -Chief of the Defence Forces is derived from Articles 90 and 91 of the Constitution of Zambia Act No.2 of 2016.
Presidential Symbols
The Constitution
The Constitution of Zambia is the supreme law of the land that guides how the country is governed.
View the Constitution
The President's Standard
The President's Standard is the Presidential flag containing Armorial Ensigns in dimensions 1:1, and 3:2 for the overall flag
The flag has the Spectrum Orange colour specification.
The National Flag
The National Flag is one of the identities of the Zambian Republic with each colour symbolising a meaning which can be found here.