The President of the Republic of Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema, visited Oxford University on 21 June2024, hosted by the Blavatnik School of Government. The Trust’s Chairman, Mr Alex Duncan, and our current Beit-Wadham-BSG Scholar, Mr Douglas Mushinge, were invited to attend a round table discussion to address the effects of the drought on the Zambian economy. This was against the backdrop of Zambia implementing an ambitious economic reform program supported by the IMF, which aims to restore fiscal and debt sustainability, create fiscal space for much-needed social spending, and strengthen economic governance and transparency.

Alex and Douglas were joined by Beit Scholar, Mr Chanda Singoyi (Leeds 2022) who, like Douglas, is reading for a Master’s in Public Policy (MPP). Douglas writes:

“It was an extraordinary day, and Chanda and I were honoured to represent the Beit Trust diligently. I am thrilled to hear that President Hichilema’s reference to the Beit Trust in his speech made a positive impression.It was indeed a proud moment for us, and we are grateful for the opportunity to engage with such distinguished individuals.

The roundtable on June 21st was an exceptional experience. Chanda and I had the opportunity to engagedirectly with President Hichilema, addressing key issues such as enhancing local participation in the economy, improving the National Health Insurance Scheme, and optimizing the Constituency Development Fund topromote equity and reduce poverty levels in Zambia. Our questions were well-received and sparked meaningful
discussion. During the event, additional topics such as the cost-of-living crisis, energy insufficiency, power outages, agricultural policy, and foreign debt challenges in Zambia were discussed. A notable contribution came from Dr Chaloka Beyani, who emphasized the need for an efficient and proficient civil service to implement policy changes effectively. He proposed a collaboration between the BSG and the Zambiangovernment to enhance the civil service’s capabilities, an initiative I intend to explore further with the Dean of the School.

Following the roundtable, we attended the main event celebrating Zambia’s upcoming 60th Independence Anniversary, where Chanda and I served as rapporteurs, documenting sessions on leadership, the economy, climate change, and energy. The day concluded with a formal dinner at Balliol College, marking the end of a highly productive day.

We were particularly pleased to meet Alex Duncan, who offered valuable insights into our summer project plans and future goals and ambitions. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your support which enabled me to participate fully in these significant events. The Trust’s assistance was crucial in making this experience both enriching and memorable for Chanda and myself.”

Video link to speech mentioning Beit Trust