By Chief Editor Gary Ndhlovu
By Edward Chisanga
This message is not to point a finger at UPND. It鈥檚 for the whole nation.
If one thing irks Zambians, it鈥檚 the praise songs always coming from economists and politicians and their sympathizers each time the nation scores a small economic win. For many years since independence, we have listened to songs of praise from economists, politicians and their praise singers about economic development that seem impressive in the ear but mean nothing in the mouth or stomach of many suffering Zambians. 鈥淭he Kwacha has gained. Inflation goes down. The economy has grown. This is a development budget. Pro-poor budget.鈥
And this week, in particular 3 July 2025, an article in Zambian Observer reads, 鈥淶ambia emerges as a standout performer in UN investment report 2025.鈥 It goes on, 鈥淶ambia has made an unexpected leap forward on the global investment stage.鈥 He then lists numbers, 鈥淔DI inflows into Zambia surged from just $0.1 billion in 2023 to $1.2 billion in 2024, a twelvefold increase that positioned the country among Africa鈥檚 top gainers.鈥
Zambians have heard this rhetoric before. What they鈥檝e not heard is, 鈥淗alleluiah, now you鈥檒l have three good meals a day, clean drinking water and cheap ordinary food, electricity, transport and other essential benefits enjoyed by citizens in countries where economies are growing.
Where did we go wrong?
Once upon a time, inward Foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, small as they were, were improving. As Figure1 below shows, from 2000 鈥 2013, we see the continuous and stead rise of flows. You can see that the period shown is about two decades. If this upward trend of flows had continued, certainly, the nation would be heading towards a leap. Inflows would have probably reached $10 billion by end of 2023 and that would not be a small economic win.
But the main focus of my article is for us to have a comparison mindset
As leaders and citizens, Zambians will do better to have a comparison mindset. It will help us to think better if we learn to compare what we do with other nations. 鈥淯mwana ashenda, atasha nyina ukunaya: A child who never eats from the neighbor thinks the mother is the best cook.鈥
In 1975 when Viet Nam ended war with the US, its GDP, at $3.8 billion was almost like that of Zambia at $2.6 billion (Table 1 below). Today, Viet Nam鈥檚 GDP is about sixteen-fold that of Zambia. For Viet Nam, that鈥檚 called a huge economic win without a celebration. For Zambia, it鈥檚 a small win, yet it is celebrated.
The UN World Investment Report on inward FDI
The same UN World Investment Report of 2025 that the author of the article quotes about Zambia also reports about Viet Nam. Look at Table 2 below. Viet Nam鈥檚 FDI numbers. Zambia鈥檚 maximum inward FDI flows was $2 billion. Viet Nam, $15 billion, $20 billion each year. Again, Viet Nam shows big economic wins that leaders and citizens don鈥檛 sing about.
Table 2: The UN World Investment Report on inward FDI flows and Stock in $millions
Economic development is about outcome, not output
Finally, cognitive function tells us that economic development is about outcomes, NOT outputs. Big economic wins are those that are felt by your citizens. Outcomes mean final results, in this case, three good meals a day in each family. It鈥檚 not about GDP growth, reduction in inflation, increased CDF, etc.
When leaving office, immediate former African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina brags, 鈥淲hen I was first elected in 2015, the Bank鈥檚 capital stood at $93 billion. Today, it has grown to $318 billion. This expansion enabled unprecedented financial support to African countries, with $102 billion approvals over the past 10 years 鈥 accounting for 46% of all approvals since the Bank鈥檚 inception in 1964. I earnestly gave Africa my heart, my mind, and my all.鈥
And, outgoing President of Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah is praised for 鈥渟kyrocketed assets from under $5 billion to a staggering $43.5 billion.鈥
What they don鈥檛 say is what these staggering amounts have done for each household in Africa who鈥檚 the main shareholder. They got rich themselves from huge salaries while households in Africa continue to wallow in poverty.
In concluding, I say to leaders, simply work hard unnoticed. Drive to make Zambia regionally and globally competitive. Today, we are not. There鈥檚 many Zambians that can help you achieve that but I don鈥檛 think you鈥檙e including or engaging them. This country belongs to them too. They probably have some good ideas about how to attract FDI. They鈥檙e the unknown and unsung heroes. I worked for the same UN that publishes the same World Investment Report and know the team that can make a modest contribution to FDI work in Zambia.
Finally, when citizens benefit from the economy and leadership, they, themselves will praise the leaders.