Zambia is preparing for general elections on 13 August, with President Hakainde Hichilema seeking a second term and 226 parliamentary seats up for grabs.
But do you know the people behind the wheel since Zambia’s independence in 1964?Let’s take a dive into its political journey.
Widely regarded as one of southern Africa's most stable democracies, Zambia has had seven presidents and one acting president.
It began with Kenneth Kaunda, affectionately known as KK, who became Zambia's first president on 24 October 1964 upon independence. A leading figure in the independence struggle and a committed Pan-Africanist, Kaunda led the country for 27 years under a one-party system.
He championed education, national unity, and support for liberation movements across southern Africa.
In 1991, Kaunda accepted defeat to the opposition, setting a democratic precedent by handing over power peacefully. He died in 2021 at the age of 97.
His successor, Frederick Chiluba, was a former trade-union leader who won the landmark 1991 election and served two terms. During his 10 years in office, Zambia consolidated multi-party democracy and liberalised the economy. Chiluba died in 2011 at the age of 68.
Death in office
In 2002, Levy Mwanawasa became Zambia's third president after winning an election, with his administration pursuing a strong anti-corruption campaign.
His presidency was cut short by his death in office in 2008 at the age of 60 following a stroke barely a year into his second term.
Vice-President Rupiah Banda then assumed office after Mwanawasa's death and later won the presidential election that year. His administration also focused on maintaining economic growth, particularly in agriculture and mining.
In 2011, opposition politician Michael Sata, nicknamed "King Cobra" for his fiery rhetoric, defeated incumbent Banda after three previous unsuccessful runs.
Sata pursued major infrastructure projects, particularly road-building, and pro-worker policies. His presidency ended abruptly when he died in office in 2014 at the age of 76.
Then his VP, Guy Scott, became acting president. Scott, who passed away on 15 July 2026 aged 82, oversaw the country through fresh elections in early 2015.
Lungu’s tenure
Edgar Lungu won the elections for the opposition, and his administration expanded infrastructure but oversaw a rapid rise in public debt. He died in June 2025 at the age of 68, four years after leaving office.
Current President Hakainde Hichilema took office in 2021 after defeating then-incumbent Lungu.
Hichilema’s administration has prioritised debt restructuring, economic recovery, free education, and anti-corruption reforms in the mineral-rich country.
His popularity will be tested in the upcoming elections as he faces more than a dozen opposition candidates, with Brian Mundubile of the Tonse Alliance being his main challenger.
