First Hichilema Cabinet

The First Hichilema Cabinet is the executive government of the Republic of Zambia under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema. It was formed following Hichilema’s victory in the 2021 Zambian general election, in which his party, the UPND, defeated the incumbent PF led by President Edgar Lungu. Hichilema was sworn in on 24 August 2021, and the formation of his cabinet marked a significant transition in Zambia’s political landscape, emphasizing anti-corruption, economic recovery, and institutional reform.

The cabinet included a mix of experienced politicians and technocrats, with a notable commitment to gender inclusion and youth representation. The Vice-President, Mutale Nalumango, became the second woman in Zambia’s history to hold the position.

Composition The cabinet was composed of ministers appointed under Article 116 of the Constitution of Zambia, including ministers of finance, health, education, foreign affairs, home affairs, and others. Several ministries were realigned or merged to reflect the administration’s priorities. +Members of the First Hichilema CabinetPortfolioMinisterTerm startVice-PresidentMutale Nalumango24 August 2021Secretary to the CabinetPatrick KangwaDecember 2022Minister of Finance and National PlanningSitumbeko Musokotwane27 August 2021Minister of Foreign Affairs and International CooperationStanley Kakubo27 August 2021Minister of Home Affairs and Internal SecurityJack Mwiimbu27 August 2021Minister of JusticeMulambo Haimbe27 August 2021Minister of EducationDouglas Syakalima27 August 2021Minister of HealthSylvia Masebo27 August 2021Minister of Local Government and Rural DevelopmentGary Nkombo27 August 2021Minister of Mines and Minerals DevelopmentPaul Kabuswe27 August 2021Minister of EnergyPeter Kapala27 August 2021Minister of AgricultureReuben Mtolo Phiri27 August 2021Minister of DefenceAmbrose Lufuma27 August 2021Minister of Information and MediaChushi Kasanda27 August 2021Minister of Labour and Social SecurityBrenda Tambatamba27 August 2021Minister of Commerce, Trade and IndustryChipoka Mulenga27 August 2021Minister of Transport and LogisticsFrank Tayali27 August 2021Minister of TourismRodney Sikumba27 August 2021Minister of Green Economy and EnvironmentCollins Nzovu27 August 2021Minister of Technology and ScienceFelix Mutati27 August 2021Minister of Community Development and Social ServicesDoreen Mwamba27 August 2021Minister of Youth, Sport and ArtsElvis Nkandu27 August 2021Minister of Water Development and SanitationMike Mposha27 August 2021Minister for Central ProvincePrincess Kasune27 August 2021Minister for Copperbelt ProvinceElisha Matambo27 August 2021Minister for Southern ProvinceCornelius Mweetwa27 August 2021 +The Current Cabinet Ministers as of February 2026IncumbentOfficeTerm beganCornelius MweetwaMinister – Information and MediaSeptember 25, 2023Mulambo HaimbeMinister – Foreign Affairs and International CooperationJune 5, 2024Mike MposhaMinister – Green Economy and EnvironmentJune 14, 2024Paul C C KabusweMinister – Mines and Minerals DevelopmentSeptember 17, 2021Chipoka MulengaMinister – Commerce, Trade and IndustryFrank TayaliMinister – Transport and LogisticsReuben Mtolo PhiriMinister – AgricultureDouglas Munsaka SyakalimaMinister – EducationElijah Julaki MuchimaMinister – HealthJuly 22, 2024Collins NzovuMinister – Water Development and SanitationJune 14, 2024Elvis Chishala NkanduMinister – Youth, Sport and ArtsSeptember 17, 2021Sylvia MaseboMinister – Lands and Natural ResourcesJuly 22, 2024Ambrose Lwiji LufumaMinister – DefenceSeptember 17, 2021Brenda Mwika TambatambaMinister – Labour and Social SecurityRodney SikumbaMinister – TourismJacob Jack MwiimbuMinister – Home Affairs and Internal SecuritySitumbeko MusokotwaneMinister – Finance and National PlanningGift SialubaloMinister – Local Government and Rural DevelopmentMarch 28, 2025Makozo ChikoteMinister – EnergyJuly 20, 2024Peter Chibwe KapalaMinister – Fisheries and LivestockJuly 20, 2024Doreen MwambaMinister – Community Development and Social ServicesSeptember 17, 2021Charles MilupiMinister – Infrastructure, Housing and Urban DevelopmentFelix C MutatiMinister – Technology and SciencePrincess KasuneMinister – JusticeJune 5, 2024 +Former Members of the First Hichilema CabinetPortfolioMinisterTerm startTerm endReason for changeMinister of HealthElijah Muchima22 July 202419 February 2026Relieved of duties by the president; Cornelius Mweetwa appointed as acting minister.Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises DevelopmentElias Mubanga17 September 202119 February 2026Relieved of duties by the president.

Notable Policies and Reforms

Re-engagement with the International Monetary Fund for debt restructuring. Establishment of the Presidential Delivery Unit. Launch of the Public–Private Dialogue Forum. Anti-corruption and public sector reform drive. Restoration of media freedoms and human rights protections.

First Hichilema Cabinet

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