Bushiri’s Man, Willah Mudolo To Challenge Hakainde Hichilema For Zambia President

Page 1

Professional Career

Willah Joseph Mudolo is a transformative leader and entrepreneur with a distinguished career dedicated to nation-building and economic empowerment. He isn’t just a businessman, he is a strategic visionary who has spent his life leveraging global enterprise to create opportunities at home. His experience, forged at the intersection of business acumen and political insight, has equipped him with the skills to address Zambia’s most pressing challenges. As a trusted advisor to governments and a director of high-impact ventures in mining, agriculture, and real estate, Mudolo has a proven record of turning potential into prosperity. He has consistently driven outcomes that secure not only commercial success but also a lasting strategic legacy for the people they serve. His appointment as Honorary Ambassador to the Pan-African Parliament for Energy and Humanitarian Advancement underscores his commitment to continental progress and aligns his vision for Zambia with the broader goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. For Mudolo, true wealth is measured in the progress of a nation and the prosperity of its citizens. He understands that Zambia’s future is not in the ground, but in its people. His leadership is poised to introduce a new era of growth, stability, and opportunity, grounded in a philosophy that puts the interests of the Zambian people first. This is the story of a builder, a strategic mind, and a man who is ready to turn a lifelong vision into reality.

Page 2 

Biography: Willah J. Mudolo

MY FELLOW ZAMBIANS,

I’m presenting myself to you not as a politician, but as a son of this soil, a man who has always been driven by one simple question: “Why can’t this be better?”. My name is Willah Joseph Mudolo, and this is my story, a testament to resilience, hope, and the unyielding determination that defines our people.

A LIFE BEYOND THE HORIZON: MY JOURNEY OF PURPOSE

I understand the heart and soul of Zambia because my own story is a mirror of yours. It is a story not of privilege, but of purpose forged from the same copper-rich soil that defines our nation’s wealth.

I was born in the mining town of Mufulira on August 25, 1980. My father, Mr. Joseph Mudolo, driven by a relentless pursuit for a better life, left the quiet of our village for a life in the mines. On the Copperbelt, he laboured in the deep shafts of Mufulira Mine, a part of the once mighty Roan Consolidated Mines. My mother, Mrs. Ruth Nakawala Mudolo, was a force of quiet determination. She held our family together, not just at home, but also through her work in a wholesale grocery store for an Indian family. My parents’ combined dedication—his in the deep shafts of an underground mine, hers behind a grocery store counter—became my earliest and most profound education. It taught me that a life of purpose is built brick by brick, through honest labour and unshakeable determination. My parents were not people of great wealth, but of immense character.

This was the foundation of my journey—a life beyond the horizon, built on the lessons of two hardworking parents. My father’s health soon forced him to abandon his job in the mines, and the ground shifted beneath our feet. We relocated to our ancestral home, Nsami Village, in the Mafinga District of what was then Northern Province, now Muchinga.

Page 3

This return was not a retreat; it was where my path was truly set. Though our surroundings changed, the core lessons from my parents—resilience, dedication, and character—remained as the foundation of my life’s purpose. I began my education at Nsami Primary School and later at Mulekatembo and Isoba Secondary Schools. Walking the dusty paths of rural Zambia, I saw the immense potential and equally immense challenges facing my community, which ignited a fire within me. The promise of our land and the strength of our people were undeniable, yet the prosperity we deserved always seemed just out of reach. As someone who embodies the spirit of the Zambian people—a person who has risen from humble beginnings and understands the struggles and aspirations of ordinary citizens—I made a vow: to find a way to change that reality.

A PROMISE TO THE NEXT GENERATION

My journey to find a solution took me far beyond the boundaries of Nsami Village, but it was never about escaping my roots. Instead, it was about seeking the knowledge and tools to create change for all the children back home—children who, like me, dared to dream of a brighter future. Having been among the lucky few to make the leap from a desolate community far from civilization to the prestigious lecture halls of the United Kingdom, I knew I had a profound obligation. I owed it not just to my village, but to the children of every Zambian village, to my hardworking parents, and to the generations who came before me. My purpose was clear: to use my education not for personal gain but as a tool to honour their sacrifices and build a better future for our communities.

Each step I took felt monumental, a testament to the resilience of my spirit and the dreams of those who came before me. With immense gratitude, I reflect on my academic journey: earning an MBA in Finance and Sustainability from the University of Cumbria, an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, and an MSc in Finance & Accounting from The University of Salford. These qualifications are more than just accolades—they represent the strategic blueprints, the stepping stones that I have carefully laid out to drive meaningful change. Every achievement I’ve celebrated has been a step not only for myself but for every child in my village who longs for a different life. I carry their dreams in my heart, fuelled by a deep determination to transform our shared aspirations into a tangible reality.

Page 4

I built my career not just on ambition, but on the enduring lessons of my parents. For nearly two decades, that grit and determination have guided me through the intricate world of global enterprise. My career has been my proving ground—from senior executive roles in construction and mining to the complexities of oil and gas and the strategic advisory of consulting. My work on the global stage taught me how to read the currents of international markets and navigate the unique challenges of emerging economies. Beyond the numbers, my career has been defined by a deep-seated commitment to impact. I’ve served as a trusted advisor, providing strategic financial counsel to private wealth holders and governments alike. While my expertise extends to sophisticated financial instruments, my most significant achievement is the mobilisation of billions of dollars to accelerate development for African nations. These were more than transactions—they were catalysts for change, bridges of opportunity connecting available capital with ambitious development goals that have transformed the livelihoods of Africans in some of the most remote corners of our continent.

My focus is now firmly on my home, Zambia. I’ve seen firsthand how purpose-driven leadership—the kind that turns a clear vision into tangible action—can transform dreams into reality. So, what is holding our country back? The challenge isn’t a lack of potential, but a lack of leadership to unify us and gain access to the resources we already have. This is a solvable problem. We have all the capital we need: our talented young people, who make up over 75% of our population, and our abundant natural resources. This wealth is currently being exploited at the expense of our citizens. With a unified plan and a collaborative effort, we can take back control and harness it for the greater good of our nation. My journey has taught me that while the path to progress isn’t easy, it’s well within our reach. I am filled with the conviction that we have the power to transform our nation, and I am committed to inspiring change, ensuring that every child and family in Zambia has the opportunity to live a decent life.