Zambia’s outgoing President Edgar Lungu has conceded defeat in the presidential election.

“I would like to congratulate my brother Hakainde Hichilema for being elected as the 7th president of mother Zambia,” he said in a broadcast on state TV.

Mr Lungu had earlier hinted that he would challenge the results of the election after accusing the opposition of fraud.

Before Lungu accepted defeat, his party Patriotic Front also conceded defeat and congratulated Hichilema on what they called “deserving victory”

Speaking fro the first time as Zambia’s president elect, Hichilema appealed for calm as there are reports of looting in the country, and he thanked his successor