Stable but frustrated, copper-rich but grindingly poor, Zambia goes to the polls on Thursday in an election seen in many quarters as a barometer for the continent as it braces for an economic storm.

Observers expect a close fight between Michael Sata, the populist opposition leader, and Rupiah Banda, the acting president, who has pledged to continue the cautious economic policies of Levy Mwanawasa, the much-loved president who appointed Mr Banda as his deputy before his death from a stroke in August triggered the election.