As Zambia marks 62 years of independence, the President linked tributes to Zambia’s independence heroes with a call for shared effort under the Grow Zambia agenda, after wreath-laying in Lusaka and an investiture ceremony at State House.
President Hakainde Hichilema has called on Zambians to turn independence into opportunity, after honouring independence heroes at the Freedom Statue and recognising distinguished citizens at State House as Zambia marks 62 years of independence.
In his commemorative message, Hichilema said the investiture ceremony followed wreath-laying on Independence Avenue in Lusaka. He described the awards as recognition of outstanding contributions to nation-building.
What did Hichilema say on Zambia’s Independence Day?
The President connected remembrance of the independence struggle with the work of building the country today. He urged citizens to unite, work hard and smart, and pursue the Grow Zambia agenda together.
“Let us turn our freedom into opportunity and our collective efforts into lasting progress,” he said.
His appeal placed responsibility on the present generation to build a country worthy of the sacrifices of its forebears and the aspirations of its children.
From the Freedom Statue to State House
The two ceremonies served different purposes. Wreath-laying honoured the people whose sacrifices secured Zambia’s independence. The investiture recognised citizens whose service has contributed to the country’s development.
Zambia became independent on 24 October 1964. The 62nd anniversary falls on 24 October 2026. The occasion offers a moment to recognise public service and consider how the freedoms secured at independence can support opportunity for a new generation.
The message supplied for this report did not include an honours list, award categories or individual citations. Those details are therefore not attributed to any recipient here.
What does “freedom into opportunity” mean for the economy?
For a young person seeking work or an entrepreneur trying to grow a business, opportunity has a practical meaning: a chance to earn, gain skills and find customers. The economic question raised by the President’s message is how national ambition translates into those everyday possibilities.
That is an assessment of the message’s implications, rather than a claim that the ceremony introduced new measures. The statement contained no budget allocation, implementation timetable or quantified employment commitment.
For businesses and investors
A call to work harder and smarter sets an aspiration. Investment decisions still depend on the terms under which businesses operate. Entrepreneurs need to examine published rules, financing conditions and actual market demand before committing money.
The investiture statement should not be read as an announcement of a grant, tax concession or investment incentive. Any such measure would require separate official details.
For citizens and public institutions
Recognising service can broaden the discussion about who contributes to Zambia’s progress. The next useful reporting step is to examine the recipients’ citations and the work for which they were honoured, once the official list is available.
For economic policy, the corresponding task is to judge delivery through published evidence. An aspiration to create opportunity becomes easier to assess when programmes specify who can benefit, how they are funded and when results are expected.
A commemoration with a practical question
Hichilema’s message asks Zambians to connect remembrance with effort. The question for the year ahead is what progress citizens should be able to see in their own lives.
Which change would make economic opportunity more real in your community by Zambia’s next Independence Day?
Related coverage
Explore our Leadership & Governance coverage, read Hichilema’s wider Independence Day growth message and see our Zambia at 62 special edition.
Source: commemorative statement by President Hakainde Hichilema supplied to The Zambian Economist. Economic implications are the publication’s analysis.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material and all other digital content on this website may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the prior express permission of The Zambian Economist. Where permission is granted, the content must be clearly credited to “The Zambian Economist,” with “www.zambianeconomist.com” prominently displayed.
WhatsApp: +260775574228 | Email: info@zambianeconomist.com
© 2026 The Zambian Economist.
