A Brief Analysis of the UPND Manifesto’s Foreign Policy

Zambians in the diaspora donate to combat outbreak of cholera in Kanyama in 2024. Source: UPND Media Team.

Introduction

The United Party for National Development (UPND) outlines a foreign policy vision centred on mutual respect, regional cooperation, peace and economic diplomacy. Its emphasis on restoring Zambia’s credibility abroad shows an understanding that global engagement can advance domestic prosperity. Yet, the manifesto’s commitments often remain aspirational, lacking clear institutional mechanisms or market-based strategies to realise them.

For a country emerging from a decade of external debt distress and strained international credibility, Zambia’s foreign policy must serve beyond a diplomatic tool, as a platform for trade, investment and governance reform.

A Shift Toward Economic and Reform-Driven Diplomacy

One of the manifesto’s most notable achievements is its explicit recognition that foreign policy should support national economic development. The UPND manifesto moves Zambia’s external relations away from the symbolic solidarity of the past toward outcomes that are measurable in trade, investment and technology transfer through its economic diplomacy prioritisation.

This is in tandem with a global trend where diplomacy increasingly centres on markets rather than ministries. The manifesto’s commitment to leveraging regional blocs such as SADC, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is forward-looking, recognising the potential for Zambia to benefit from the continent’s growing intra-African trade.

Moreover, the pledge to appoint diplomats on merit and professional competence, rather than political loyalty, signals an intent to restore institutional credibility in the foreign service. From a governance standpoint, this would depoliticise appointments and promote performance-based diplomacy, an important reform in a sector historically weakened by patronage.

The manifesto also shows awareness of the diaspora’s economic potential, noting that remittances are now a major source of foreign inflows. Proposals to strengthen diaspora engagement and encourage investment could, if properly designed, reduce Zambia’s dependence on aid and improve capital mobilisation.

These priorities are a recognition that foreign policy can be a catalyst for economic freedom, encouraging entrepreneurship, investment and innovation.

Ambiguity and Over-Centralisation

Despite its rhetoric, the manifesto’s foreign policy remains state-centric, with limited attention to how non-state actor such as businesses, think tanks and civil society can contribute to international engagement. The language of government-led diplomacy risks entrenching bureaucratic control rather than creating an enabling environment for private initiative.

For instance, the proposed diaspora investment framework places the government at the centre of coordination, rather than enabling private financial vehicles, market-driven remittance platforms or diaspora-owned venture funds. Sustainable investment thrives where individuals and institutions operate freely, guided by clear rules rather than state discretion.

Similarly, the concept of economic diplomacy is under-developed. The manifesto does not specify trade liberalisation measures, export diversification strategies or mechanisms for reducing cross-border barriers to business. Without these, economic diplomacy risks being a rhetorical extension of state planning rather than a facilitator of market freedom.

While the UPND aspires to professionalise the diplomatic corps, it provides no policy framework for accountability and performance measurement. A truly reform-oriented approach would introduce key performance indicators for missions such as export promotion targets, investment inflows or diaspora engagement results.

The manifesto is silent on a clear geopolitical strategy. Zambia’s relationships with China, the United States, the European Union and multilateral lenders require sharper definition, particularly on issues of debt transparency, technology and trade competitiveness.

Policy Recommendations

1. The New Dawn government should utilise Zambia's diplomatic missions as trade outposts, equipped with market intelligence units, export promotion desks and private-sector liaisons. This will align foreign policy with national economic planning.

   
   

2. The government must introduce transparent recruitment and training mechanisms through an independent Foreign Service Commission to institutionalise merit-based appointments.

   
   

3. The government should encourage privately managed diaspora funds, digital remittance channels and diaspora bonds to attract investment without inflating government control.

   
   

4. The government should consider enhancing Zambia’s competitiveness for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by harmonising tariffs and border policies within SADC and AfCFTA.

However, the risks are clear. A state-dominated model of diplomacy could crowd out private initiative, while excessive regional commitments without domestic competitiveness could expose Zambia to asymmetric trade losses. Without institutional discipline, the vision of economic diplomacy may remain politically attractive but practically hollow.

A modern Zambian foreign policy should do more than re-engage the world; it should empower citizens, businesses and institutions to act globally. That requires less bureaucracy, more openness and an intentional shift from state-led diplomacy to citizen-driven engagement.