Zambia’s national elections, a pivotal moment for the country’s economy and democracy
The August 12 national elections could mark a key turning point for Zambia’s future. Under President Edgar Lungu’s rule, the business environment has become increasingly hostile, especially for foreign companies seeking to benefit from the country’s copper resources. Additionally, Zambia defaulted on its debt during the coronavirus pandemic and a deal with the IMF would certainly be useful – the election outcome will determine the conditions of any potential deal. Deteriorating economic conditions have left Mr Lungu struggling for political survival ahead of the polls, while his main rival, successful businessman Hakainde Hichilema, has positioned himself as a potential saviour of the economy. Questions about whether the two-horse race will be fair are raising concerns about the future of democracy in Zambia.
Please note that we will be repeating the same webinar to cater for the difference in time zones between EMEA, the Americas and APAC:
- APAC – Tuesday 27th July | 10:00 HKT
- EMEA – Tuesday 27th July | 10:00 BST (11:00 SAST)
- Americas – Tuesday 27th July | 16:00 EDT
Zaynab Mohamed
Political Analyst
Zaynab Mohamed
Political Analyst
Zaynab Mohamed | Political Analyst
Zaynab is a political analyst for 10 African countries at NKC African Economics. She joined NKC as a political analyst in March 2020. Zaynab holds a BA Honours degree in International Studies and she is currently pursuing her MA in Political Science at the University of Stellenbosch.
Related Services
Event
What 2025 and a second Trump presidency holds for Latin America
Growth dynamics next year will differ across Latin America's six largest economies – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru – but most economies will experience an acceleration in growth. However, this contrasts with a consumer outlook which is losing steam, and instead we see investment and trade as driving higher growth in 2025. This will come with support from US and domestic monetary policy easing, as inflation will broadly be at target. We will explore the stories affecting individual economies, such as the risk of judicial reform in Mexico to investment and the impact of President Milei’s radical reforms in Argentina. November will bring the US presidential election, and we will examine the impacts on Latin America of a new trade war under a second Trump presidency.
Find Out More
Event
Commodity outlook: How much further will prices fall?
Commodity prices have plunged in recent weeks, and investment banks are slashing their forecasts for next year. Demand has been weaker than investors anticipated, especially in China, albeit broadly in line with our own more bearish expectations. Strong supply from commodities such as wheat, copper, and crude oil has also weighed heavily on prices and contributed to inventory build. Gold has been an exception, with central banks driving its price higher and making it a bright spot for the complex. In this webinar, we explore the key themes facing commodity markets in 2025 and discuss the outlook for supply, demand, and prices.
Find Out More