ECONOMIC and finance expert Andrew Chibuye says Zambia’s economy is showing positive signs of recovery, but ordinary citizens remain concerned about when that progress will start reflecting in their daily lives.
Featuring on ZNBC’s Sunday interview last night, Chibuye said the country’s economy has shown positive developments in the first half of 2025, with growth driven by improvements in mining and agriculture, reduced inflation, and increased investor confidence.
“2025 has started off on a stronger note than 2024,” he said.
“We have seen a GDP growth of 4.5 percent in the first half of the year, inflation has dropped from 16.7 to 14.1 percent, and copper production is up by nearly 15 percent.”
Chibuye explained that Zambia’s key economic sectors, particularly mining and agriculture which had previously underperformed, are now contributing to growth.
He noted that in 2023 and early 2024, the economy struggled due to drought and energy shortages, but the improved rainfall and global copper demand have helped stabilise the outlook.
The mining and agriculture, which were previously dragging down growth, were now contributing positively to economic performance.
However, Chibuye noted that while the macroeconomic indicators look promising, many Zambians continue to struggle with high living costs, unemployment and low income.
“Every citizen has a right to ask a question: I’m being told the economy is doing better, but what is in it for me?” he said.
He said challenges such as the high cost of living, electricity load shedding, and low incomes were still affecting people, despite the overall improvement in national statistics.
Chibuye warned that overdependence on copper had kept Zambia in an enclave economy, with development concentrated in mining areas, while other sectors like tourism and manufacturing remained underdeveloped.
“Copper is what we have, and the world needs it right now. but we must use that advantage to build agriculture, tourism and other sectors. one day, there will be no copper in the ground,” he said.
The economic expert further urged the government to remain consistent in policy implementation and economic planning, noting that past development plans had been abandoned due to changes in leadership.
By George Musonda
Kalemba August 4, 2025
