Levy Mwanawasa Day in Zambia Date in the current year: September 3, 2024

Levy Mwanawasa was born on September 3, 1948. Having graduated with a law degree from the University of Zambia, he worked in private law firms for several years and opened his own firm in 1978.

Mwanawasa’s political career began in 1991, when President Frederick Chiluba appointed him as vice-president. Mwanawasa occupied the post until his resignation in 1994. In 1996, he unsuccessfully contested Chiluba for the leadership of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy and temporarily retired from politics.

In 2001, Mwanawasa participated in the presidential election and won it with 29%. Despite having failed to tackle poverty in Zambia (in 2005, about three quarters of the country’s population had to live on less than $1 a day), Mwanawasa was re-elected for the second term in 2006. He remained president until his death in 2008.

Mwanawasa’s anti-corruption drive made him well-liked by foreign investors, so Zambia received considerable foreign investment during his presidency. This helped to improve the country’s economy, although not radically. Due to Mwanawasa’s contribution to the development of Zambian economy, it was decided to celebrate his birthday as Levy Mwanawasa Day.