Zambia Targets $5B Investment Surge via Growing Sugar Sector
Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Macenje Mazoka, has positioned the country’s sugar industry as a major catalyst for youth empowerment and investment during the 13th Africa Sugar Conference held in Nairobi.
Speaking at the high-level gathering hosted at Villa Rosa Kempinski from 14 to 15 April 2026, the High Commissioner delivered a presentation titled “From Mines to Markets: Zambia’s Sugar Industry as a Catalyst for Youth and Investment”.
She highlighted the sector’s growing role in economic diversification and inclusive growth.
The conference brought together key industry players, including Oswald Magwenzi of Zambia Sugar, Jude Chesire, and José Orive, alongside investors, traders, and policymakers from across the continent.
Ms Mazoka underscored the importance of youth-focused outgrower schemes, which currently engage over 1,000 smallholder farmers.
She noted that these initiatives align with Zambia’s diversification agenda under the Eighth National Development Plan, particularly through the development of farm blocks and expansion of domestic demand.
She also commended Zambia Sugar’s Twazabuka Project, which aims to increase production to 500,000 tonnes by 2030, drawing comparisons with major regional producers such as Illovo Sugar Africa and Tongaat Hulett.
Highlighting regional trade opportunities, Ms Mazoka pointed to frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Southern African Development Community as critical pathways for expanding Africa’s share of the global sugar market, currently estimated at five per cent.
The High Commissioner further outlined investment incentives offered by the Zambia Development Agency, including a reduced corporate tax rate of 10 per cent for agro-processing, capital allowances, duty-free importation of equipment, and tax holidays for major investments exceeding US$500,000.
She also extended an invitation to the Zambia International Investment Conference (IZIC) 2026, scheduled to take place in Lusaka from 15 to 17 July, which aims to secure up to US$5 billion in investment deals. The event is expected to include exclusive tours of Zambia Sugar operations.
Meanwhile, Mr Magwenzi reaffirmed Zambia Sugar’s strong performance and growth trajectory, citing a reported K2.6 billion profit in 2024 and ongoing investments in climate-resilient technologies such as drip irrigation.
The joint participation of government and industry leaders at the conference reflects Zambia’s strategic push to position agriculture, particularly sugar production, as a key pillar of economic transformation. This comes amid projections that national sugar output will grow by 1.6 per cent to 521,250 tonnes by 2026.
