Zambia Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Tobacco Industry at T5 Regional Meeting

The Zambian government has reiterated its commitment to the sustainable growth of the tobacco industry, emphasizing its significant contribution to the nation’s economy.

Speaking at the Tobacco Five (T5) Regional Meeting in Livingstone, Chief Government Spokesperson and Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa, who represented Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo Phiri, underscored tobacco’s role in Zambia’s economic landscape. The sector contributes nearly 2% of the country’s GDP and provides employment to over 500,000 people across the value chain.

“As a predominantly export-oriented crop, tobacco remains one of our key foreign exchange earners. It is, therefore, crucial that we strike a balance between industry growth, regulatory measures, and environmental sustainability,” Mweetwa stated.

He reaffirmed Zambia’s stance on the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), advocating for a balanced approach that upholds both economic and public health interests.

Additionally, he announced that Cabinet has approved new regulations under the Tobacco Act No. 10 of 2022. These regulations, soon to be enacted as a Statutory Instrument, aim to enhance regulatory efficiency within the industry.

Recognizing the challenges posed by climate change on tobacco production, the government has introduced strategic measures to support farmers, including:

• Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF): Facilitating access to basic irrigation for small-scale growers.
• Mechanization Strategy: Improving efficiency and productivity across agricultural value chains.

Mweetwa called on T5 member countries—Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Mozambique—to champion sustainable tobacco farming practices, invest in research, and implement policies that ensure long-term industry viability while addressing environmental concerns.

“With regional cooperation, policy harmonization, and innovative farming practices, we can secure the future of this industry while meeting the expectations of all stakeholders,” he concluded.

The three-day T5 Regional Meeting has gathered industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the region to discuss strategies aimed at strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of the tobacco sector.