Zambia Heads to the Polls as Economic Reforms and Copper Revenue Face Voter Test

Zambia holds a presidential election on Thursday, August 13, 2026 (22 Mordad 1405), which Al Jazeera reports is widely seen as a test of the country's economic reforms over the past four years. According to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, about 8.79 million voters are registered, with 14 candidates contesting the presidency, including incumbent Hakainde Hichilema, who is seeking a second term.

According to the Zambia Statistics Agency, inflation fell to 6.8 percent in April, but high food, fuel and electricity costs continue to pressure households. Copper, which accounts for about 70 percent of Zambia's export earnings and more than 10 percent of GDP, is another central election issue; the government has set a target of raising annual copper production to 3 million tonnes, though local analysts cited by Al Jazeera say the key question for voters is how much of that revenue reaches the wider economy.