Zambia Unveils $952 Million Agricultural Investment Plan at FAO Forum in Rome
Zambia has unveiled its Agricultural Investment Plan under the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HIH) during the 2025 High-Level Forum held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome. The plan outlines strategies to enhance productivity, promote value addition, improve nutrition, and strengthen food security.
Presenting the Zambia Country Investment Plan for maize, soybean, aquaculture, and honey, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Engineer Peter Kapala, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving the investment climate and boosting regional trade.
He revealed that Zambia is exploring the facilitation of beef exports to Angola, aiming to expand its market reach from 5.1 million to 7.4 million people within two years. He emphasised that improved transport and communication infrastructure will reduce operational costs and make Zambian exports more competitive.
Engineer Kapala also highlighted the importance of the Lobito Corridor, noting that it will support the export of other key commodities such as surplus maize and copper minerals, leveraging Zambia’s bumper harvests to drive regional trade and economic growth.
“We are committed to improving the investment climate so that every new investment directly benefits our farmers and communities,” said Engineer Kapala.
The total Hand-in-Hand investment sought last year stood at USD 952.8 million, with contributions from the Government (USD 200 million), ZANACO (USD 23 million), and Good Nature Agro (USD 16 million). The remaining USD 752.8 million investment gap is expected to be mobilised through the initiative, directly benefiting approximately 1.97 million smallholder farmers.
Speaking at the same event, Dr Douty Chibamba, Permanent Secretary for Green Economy and Environment, underscored Zambia’s strategic location at the heart of Southern Africa, bordered by eight countries and one strategic partner. He noted that Zambia’s access to COMESA, SADC, AfCFTA, and the Lobito Corridor positions it as a key player in regional agrifood markets serving over 1.3 billion consumers.
Dr Chibamba further highlighted investment opportunities in mechanisation, irrigation, post-harvest management, and seed certification, which are central to the country’s sustainable agricultural transformation agenda.
He explained that Zambia’s vast forest cover (61%) provides a strong foundation for honey production, with potential to increase yields from 7 kg per hive to 25–30 kg through improved queen bee rearing. In aquaculture, the Government aims to reduce fish imports by investing in pond and cage farming across Lakes Kariba, Tanganyika, Mweru, and Bangweulu.
Zambia’s growing partnerships with the private sector were also recognised, including Bayer’s seed multiplication plant in Central Province and Good Nature Agro’s soybean seed facility in Lusaka’s Multi-Facility Economic Zone, both of which have created inclusive opportunities for local farmers.
