The opposition is focussing on the declining economy, and the fight will be a close one. The opposition candidate, Hakainde Hichilema who leads the United Party for National Development (UPND), lost by 100,000 votes in the 2016 elections.
Lungu’s proposed grand projects
- Kafue Gorge Lower hydropower project: The first 150 MW turbine of the Chinese-funded $2bn project was inaugurated on 23 July;
- Kenneth Kaunda International Airport: a new terminal was to be opened on 8 August, also built by Chinese company Jiangxi and funded ($360m) by China Eximbank. However, the opening has been delayed.
The state of the economy