In 1923, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), a conquered territory that was also administered by the BSA Company, became a self-governing British colony.

The council passed resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia's secession from the federation and demanding full internal self-government under a new constitution and a new National Assembly based on a broader, more democratic franchise.

The federation was dissolved on 31 December 1963, and in January 1964, Kaunda won the only election for Prime Minister of Northern Rhodesia.

The Colonial Governor, Sir Evelyn Hone, was very close to Kaunda and urged him to stand for the post.

Domestically, there were few trained and educated Zambians capable of running the government, and the economy was largely dependent on foreign expertise.