By The Zambian Economist Analyst
Former Patriotic Front cabinet minister Dr Dora Siliya has endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema ahead of Zambia’s 13 August general election, arguing that policy continuity would protect recent economic gains and give the country room to pursue industrialisation, investment and jobs.
Speaking on Diamond TV on Monday night, Siliya said she had been persuaded to support the current administration because Zambia had moved past the hardest phase of its economic adjustment. Her endorsement comes as voters prepare to choose a president and other representatives on Thursday.
Why Dora Siliya says continuity matters
Siliya tied her decision to Zambia’s debt restructuring and its engagement with the International Monetary Fund. She argued that a change in economic direction could put at risk the progress made since the change of government in 2021.
“Personally, I would want to see a continuation of this government because the first five years have been very difficult. We know now that working with the IMF, it has become clear that we are over the hill, and we want to see better beyond Thursday,” she said.
Dora Siliya, speaking on Diamond TV
She also credited international goodwill following the 2021 transfer of power with helping Zambia regain support from lenders, creditors and investors.
“I would probably say that I’m persuaded to say I would support the current administration because I think the worst is over, and it was international goodwill after the change of government in 2021 that has brought us here because things would have been worse,” she said.
Dora Siliya, speaking on Diamond TV
The endorsement is politically notable because Siliya served in cabinets formed by the PF, the party that Hichilema defeated in 2021. She said her decision was based on policy rather than political relationships.
What Zambia’s latest economic data shows
There is evidence behind Siliya’s case for stability, although the recovery remains incomplete. The IMF completed the sixth and final review of Zambia’s 38-month Extended Credit Facility in January 2026. In its latest public assessment in May, the Fund said restructuring agreements covered about 94% of the targeted debt. Inflation had fallen to 6.8% in April, within the Bank of Zambia’s 6% to 8% target band, while reserves had risen to the equivalent of 4.4 months of prospective imports.
The same IMF assessment also warned against treating stabilisation as a finished job. It revised projected 2026 growth down to 4.3% and expected inflation to reach 8.5% by year-end as higher fuel prices offset some of the effect of a stronger kwacha. Fiscal pressure had also increased, with the projected primary surplus cut to 1.1% of gross domestic product.
That mixed picture is central to the economic choice in this election. Continuity may reduce uncertainty around debt and budget policy, but any incoming administration will still face unfinished creditor negotiations, pressure on public spending and the need to turn headline stability into incomes and jobs. Read our analysis of what comes after Zambia’s completed IMF programme.
Mining, education and jobs
Siliya called for Zambia to capture more value from mining. She said lower production costs could lift company profits and government revenue. For operators, those costs include power reliability, transport, taxes, financing and the predictability of mining rules. Higher output can widen the tax base, but the public benefit also depends on sound tax administration, transparent agreements and local procurement.
What businesses should watch
Mining suppliers, manufacturers and investors will be watching whether the next government keeps a stable fiscal and regulatory framework while addressing Zambia’s energy constraints. Siliya’s call for industrialisation points to the harder stage of the recovery: using mining demand and export earnings to support Zambian production rather than relying mainly on raw copper exports.
She also backed the continuation of free education and called for higher education to become more affordable. For employers, the question is whether access to education is matched by technical skills that fit mining, energy, agriculture, construction and digital services. The jobs test will be whether investment produces sustained private-sector employment.
A cross-party endorsement in the campaign’s final days
Siliya urged Zambians to vote peacefully and to accept that citizens can make different political choices without hostility. Zambia’s polling date is Thursday, 13 August 2026, as confirmed when Hichilema filed his nomination for a second term.
“Every Zambian has a right to vote. Nobody should be angry with another person because they are not voting like you,” she said.
Dora Siliya, speaking on Diamond TV
What the endorsement means for investors
An endorsement does not settle the economic argument, but Siliya has framed her choice around policy credibility. Investors will judge the result and the next administration by four tests: fiscal discipline, completion of the remaining debt deals, predictable mining and energy policy, and whether private investment produces jobs. Our election market briefing explains the indicators investors are already tracking.
Key takeaways
- Dora Siliya has endorsed Hakainde Hichilema ahead of the 13 August election.
- She cited debt restructuring, the completed IMF programme and the case for economic continuity.
- The latest IMF figures show lower inflation and stronger reserves, but also slower projected growth and fresh fiscal pressure.
- Siliya wants more value from mining, continued free education and more affordable higher education.
- She urged peaceful voting and respect for different political choices.
Do you agree that continuity would protect Zambia’s economic gains, or does the country need a different approach after 13 August? Share your view in the comments.
Related reading
- The Economics of Zambia’s 2026 Election
- What a Second Hichilema Term Would Mean for Zambia’s Economy
- What the Next Government Inherits on 14 August
- The Viral 57% Poll Is Fake: What Zambia’s Real Economic Numbers Say
Primary source: Dora Siliya interview broadcast on Diamond TV on 10 August 2026. Economic context: International Monetary Fund. Photo credit: Dora Siliya.
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