Seventeen Top Chinese Investors Express Strong Interest in Zambia’s Agriculture Sector
Zambia’s agriculture sector is poised for a major boost following talks between the Ministry of Agriculture and a high-level delegation of 17 leading Chinese investors, who have expressed readiness to partner with the country in developing key agricultural industries.
The discussions, held this afternoon, centred on opportunities in maize, wheat, coffee, avocado, and soya bean production, alongside irrigation expansion, value addition, and agricultural mechanisation, identified as critical to increasing yields per hectare.
Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, John Mulongoti, reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to fostering investment partnerships, stressing that government policies are designed to create a predictable and transparent environment for investors.
“Zambia has set ambitious production targets in order to enhance national food security, stimulate exports, and contribute to regional food supply,” Mulongoti said. “By 2031, our target is to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize, one million metric tonnes of wheat, and one million metric tonnes of soya beans annually. Achieving these objectives requires not only irrigation expansion but also significant investments in mechanisation to improve productivity per hectare. We are therefore pleased that our Chinese counterparts have shown readiness to collaborate with Zambia in this area.”
He highlighted the Presidential Irrigation Programme as a cornerstone of this effort, noting that 340,000 metric tonnes of maize are expected to be produced under the initiative in 2025, rising to over 1.6 million metric tonnes by 2026.
Mulongoti emphasised Zambia’s comparative advantage in agriculture, citing its abundant arable land, favourable climate, and youthful workforce as strong foundations for sustainable growth. He assured the investors that government would continue to facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships that promote mechanisation and agro-industrialisation.
Zambia’s Ambassador to China, Ivan Zyuulu, who accompanied the delegation, said the visit was a direct outcome of President Hakainde Hichilema’s State Visit to China last year. He described the presence of the 17 Chinese companies as evidence of growing international confidence in Zambia’s leadership and investment climate.
“The visit of over 17 top Chinese investors demonstrates the confidence that international investors have in Zambia’s leadership and policies,” Ambassador Zyuulu said. He added that while the delegation had shown wider interest in sectors such as mining, energy, manufacturing, and health, agriculture had emerged as the immediate priority for collaboration.
Government has reiterated its ambition to position Zambia as the region’s food basket through enhanced mechanisation, irrigation, and agro-processing. With sustained investor interest, officials say the country is ready to unlock its agricultural potential for the benefit of its citizens.
