Zambia's President-elect Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in for his second term as the country's president. 

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah joined several other African heads of state to witness the inauguration ceremony.

A sea of red, the official colour of Hichilema's United Party for National Development (UPND), is what filled the 60 000-seater capacity Heroes Stadium, the official venue for the inauguration. 

President Nandi-Ndaitwah joined other heads of state that included Botswana's Duma Boko, Zimbabwe's Emerson Mnangagwa, Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan and Kenya's William Ruto, among other senior international delegates. 

Here Hichilema took the oath of allegiance. 

"I, Hakainde Hichilema, having been constitutionally reelected to the office of the president of the Republic of Zambia, do swear that I will faithfully and diligently discharge my duties and perform my functions in this high office. I will uphold and maintain the constitution and the laws of Zambia." 

Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and Kenya's William Ruto spoke at the event. 

"Your resounding victory and that of your party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), is testament for their faith, trust and confidence." 

"Elections will produce winners and losers. Elections: some will celebrate, others will be disappointed, but when the contest is over, the nation must remain united." 

Zambia went to the polls a fortnight ago for a record eighth general election.