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By BARNABAS ZULU
THE UPND Alliance’s 2026 manifesto provides a clear roadmap for transforming the country from economic stability to prosperity through job creation, skills development and private sector growth, Leonard Hikaumba has said.
Mr Hikaumba, the vice president of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), a member of the UPND Alliance says the manifesto is a demonstration of the ruling alliance’s commitment to creating opportunities for citizens and accelerating economic growth.
Speaking in Lusaka, Mr Hikaumba endorsed the manifesto and described it as a bridge from stability to prosperity, arguing that the government had already laid a strong foundation by stabilising the economy and restoring the rule of law.
“We stand at a crossroads in our history. For the past few years, we have done the heavy lifting. We have stabilised the ship,” Mr Hikaumba said.
“But we know that stability is not an end in itself; it is the foundation. Today, the UPND presents a bridge – a bridge from getting by to getting ahead.
Our manifesto is a blueprint for a Zambia where every citizen has the dignity of a paycheque and the power of a skill,” he said.
Drawing from his trade union background, Mr Hikaumba said the manifesto had placed strong emphasis on a private sector-led job creation programme aimed at generating employment opportunities across agriculture, mining and other key sectors of the economy.
He said the UPND government would work closely with businesses to create millions of jobs and promote value addition.
“We are moving away from an economy of exporting raw materials to an economy of exporting Zambian talent and finished products. When we talk about jobs, we mean decent jobs that can sustain a family, send a child to school and build a home with the support of social security measures,” he said.
Mr Hikaumba also highlighted the manifesto’s focus on youth empowerment and education, saying more than 100, 000 students in universities and Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) institutions would benefit from industry-linked programmes.
He said the initiative would ensure that graduates are connected to employment, internships and business opportunities.
He urged Zambians to support President Hakainde Hichilema and UPND Alliance candidates in the August 13 general elections to facilitate the implementation of the manifesto’s development agenda.
