Lusaka, June 10, 2025, ZANIS — Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder Matthew Winkler says Zambia is poised to lead Africa with the fastest Growth Domestic Product (GDP) since 2018.

Speaking at the Africa Business Media innovators 2025 meeting in Livingstone, Mr Winkler attributed the growth mostly to the attainment of the debt restructuring, which reduced Zambia’s risk profile.

He explained that due to the conclusion of debt restructuring last year, Zambia’s total returns increased  by 15% in bonds, adding that this is  twice the benchmark of emerging markets which stands at slightly over seven percent.

Mr Winkler further noted that the Zambian kwacha is the second best performing currency on the continent, after it appreciated by 11 percent this year.

He further acknowledged government interventions to expand mining opportunities which is key to the country’s economic growth, as copper which accounts for 60 percent of Zambia’s export earnings is up by 25% in value this year.

“We also see that Zambia will continue to outperform the continent in the next year,” Mr Winkler said.

And President Hakainde Hichilema stated that the government is determined to address the ever emerging problems in Zambia and Africa that have potential to affect economic growth such as youth unemployment.

President Hichilema said these challenges require urgent attention as they can become seeds for social and political instability.

In a speech read for him by Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, the President noted the importance of investment for economic growth of the country.

“For this government the most important goal is to expand the economy, create jobs and business opportunities for more tax to be collected so that we continue sending children to school free of charge and provide health facilities,” he added.

He stressed the importance of media and government collaboration in the fight against poverty through economic growth.

The Head of State explained that the media is key in knowledge sharing to attract capital for investment in the country.

President Hichilema added that the government is increasing the production of minerals such as copper to help expand the economy and create livelihoods for youths.

He further noted that to ensure the next phase of the mining wealth trickles down to the ordinary people, the government is expanding copper production by addressing the bottlenecks.