Zambia’s former Vice President Guy Scott has died at the age of 82, the country’s government has announced.
Scott passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at his farm in the Leopards Hill area of Lusaka after a period of illness, according to an official statement from the government.
He became a major figure in Zambia’s political history after serving as vice president under former President Michael Sata from 2011 to 2014.
Following Sata’s death in October 2014, Scott took over as acting president and remained in the position until January 2015.
His brief time as head of state made him the first white leader of an African country in two decades.
The last person to hold that position before him was South Africa’s F.W. de Klerk, who left office in 1994.
Born in Zambia to Scottish parents, Scott was an economist who was educated at the University of Cambridge.
Despite his political career and experience in government, he was not allowed to contest the 2015 presidential election because Zambia’s constitution required presidential candidates to have parents who were both born in Zambia.
President Hakainde Hichilema has approved a state funeral for Scott in recognition of his years of service to the country.
