2026 Presidential candidate Ackim Antony Njobvu has thrown down the gauntlet to the Patriotic Front (PF) and NRPUP, challenging them to defend their track record on managing Zambia’s $6.5 billion in foreign reserves.
“Ba PF/NRPUP, start defending yourselves, ati you can’t protect the $6.5 billion reserves,” Njobvu said in a Facebook post Friday, directly questioning the opposition parties’ economic credentials ahead of the August 13 general elections.
The DU leader argued that voters are increasingly rejecting political theatrics in favor of technical competence.
“Zambians are saying they want brains not AI songs,” he said, in an apparent jab at campaign strategies he views as gimmicks over substance.
Njobvu has positioned himself as the candidate best equipped to “protect and grow the reserves and economy,” citing a lengthy list of professional qualifications. He is an Aviation Engineer by training.
His financial and economic credentials include being a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), a Fellow of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (FZICA), and a Senior Member of the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ).
Internationally, Njobvu holds a Chartered Global Investment Analyst (CGIA) certification from the United States and is affiliated with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) in the United Kingdom.
Branding his campaign with the slogans “Vote Young President” and “Mufana Wa Chikata,” Njobvu urged the electorate to prioritize expertise in economic management when casting their ballots.
The comments come as the management of Zambia’s foreign reserves has become a key election issue, with parties trading accusations over past depletion and future safeguards.
The Bank of Zambia last reported reserves at approximately $6.5 billion.
Francis Chipalo
