United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean born businessman and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa has described Zambia’s transition as “African class”, saying he will be watching new President Hakainde Hichilema’s policies to decide on possible new investment in the country.
Masiyiwa owns Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Africa’s largest fibre company, which has operations in Zambia and across the continent.
Writing about Zambia’ electoral processes and outcome on Monday, Masiyiwa also commended outgoing Zambian leader Edgar Lungu for conceding defeat. Wrote Masiyiwa:
Like most Africans, I had my eyes fixed this last week on following the Zambian elections.
First of all, I would like to extend my congratulations to now President-Elect Hakainde Hichilema, his supporters, and all the people of Zambia. By any electoral precedence, this is a landslide victory rarely seen these days.
I would also like to commend outgoing President Edgar Lungu for the manner in which he conceded the election: As I told a friend in America, it was a bit of ‘African class’.
Hichilema ran on a pro-business platform and had the backing of large corporates operating in the country.
He has pledged to fix Zambia’s debt crisis, negotiate for an IMF bailout and protect jobs, including in the key copper mining sector, which was hit by low copper prices over recent years.