The numbers don’t lie, but government spin…

Let us examine these figures with clarity and honesty. 2017: 3.53%2018: 4.03%2019: 1.44%2020: -2.79%2021: 6.23%2022: 5.21%2023: 5.37%2024: 4.04% We are being asked to celebrate 6.23% growth as proof of economic success. We are told the country has recovered strongly.

But beyond statistics and press briefings, one question matters: does this growth reflect the daily reality of ordinary citizens? Has the price of mealie meal fallen because GDP rose to 5.37%?Has load shedding disappeared because growth moved above five percent?Have young graduates found stable employment simply because international lenders express confidence? Numbers can tell a story, but they do not tell the whole story.

Yes, 2020 brought a global crisis. Yes, Zambia faced economic contraction during that period. Yet the pressure felt by families today did not start with the pandemic, and many households continue to carry that burden.

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Small businesses remain under strain, farmers face rising input costs, and young people move from opportunity to opportunity with little certainty. What kind of growth leaves living costs high?What kind of recovery fails to ease pressure on small traders?What kind of stability depends heavily on external conditions? Debt restructuring has been presented as a milestone.

Renegotiating obligations can create breathing space, but it does not on its own generate new industries, factories, or long-term employment. Agreements on paper must translate into real economic activity that touches communities. Zambia’s economy still relies heavily on copper exports.

It remains exposed to global market shifts and external shocks. Public messaging cannot replace structural change. If growth were truly inclusivea, local markets would reflect renewed confidence.If growth were transformative, energy supply would show consistent improvement.If growth were sustainable, fewer young people would feel compelled to search for opportunities outside the country.

Those of us in the opposition are not against economic progress. We support growth that reaches households, supports enterprise, and strengthens livelihoods. Celebrating percentages while families struggle does not build trust. The country needs industrial expansion that creates value at home.It needs policies that lower the cost of living in practical terms.It needs jobs that give dignity and stability.

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