A guide to this week’s election in Zambia, a southern African country rich in critical minerals

Zambia, a southern African nation renowned for its abundant critical minerals, is set to hold an election on Thursday to determine if President Hakainde Hichilema will receive a second five-year term. This election comes in the wake of the country's economic recovery plan, which has been credited with stabilizing the currency and reducing inflation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hichilema, who was elected in 2022 after a previous unsuccessful attempt in 2006, is the incumbent president. Under his leadership, Zambia has successfully restructured over $12 billion in debts to various countries and private creditors. The long-term goal of his economic plan is to triple Zambia's copper output to 3 million metric tons per year by 2031, potentially surpassing the United States and China in global production of the crucial mineral.

Hichilema's main opponent in the presidential race is likely Brian Mundubile, the leader of the Tonse Alliance. Mundubile, a 55-year-old law graduate, has emerged as the leader of the opposition alliance following internal disputes within the party. The Tonse Alliance includes 13 other presidential candidates, making for a competitive field in Zambia's upcoming election.