HH is “breath of fresh air” - Oxford Professor Praises President’s Record

Oxford University Professor of Economics and Public Policy Paul Collier has commended President Hakainde Hichilema’s record in government. He argues that Hichilema acceded to the presidency under difficult conditions but has now positioned the country for future economic growth. 

The British academic was quick to praise Hichilema’s devolution programme when he spoke to Zambia Is Back’s ‘BackChat’ program earlier this week. The President’s National Decentralization Policy and Zambia Devolution Support Program (ZDSP), launched in May of last year, both help to devolve decision-making power and agency to agricultural communities and the Copperbelt.  

These programmes signal the government’s commitment to bringing government services closer to the people and promoting accountability and transparency.

Professor Collier defended President Hichilema when asked about Zambia’s current difficulties, explaining that these issues are “no fault of President Hichilema[’s].” The professor  explained that HH has taken decisive action to counteract the effects of what he terms a “double whammy of debt and drought.” 

In tackling the drought, the President has taken several measures to reduce the effects of the energy crisis, including accelerating private investment in new energy, and increasing the grid supply through new energy providers. At the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the President secured a series of bilateral agreements between China and Zambia, including a joint framework for the supply, delivery, and installation of a rooftop solar system project in Zambia,

Collier also suggested that the situation would be notably worse if President Hichilema were not in power. With reference to Hichilema’s ability to secure international support, Collier said, “[Zambia is dealing with] the very top of international agencies, the very top of America and the very top of Britain, which shows the level of authority and respect that President Hichilema commands in international circles”.

Professor Collier believes that Zambia's future economic success hinges on securing venture capital to support the growth of new businesses and steadily boost productivity. President Hichilema has already taken significant steps in this direction, formulating a ‘startups bill’ and allocating increased Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to local communities. These initiatives demonstrate the President's strategy going forward, emphasising entrepreneurship and improved access to capital.

Since President Hichilema came to power, pledged investments have increased tenfold, and Professor Collier firmly believes that President Hichilema “will win and deserves to win” the 2026 election. According to the Professor, “by the end of his second term, the people of Zambia will see a big difference.”