Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has called for increased private-sector investment in Zambia’s agri-food systems.
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Max Choombe, stressed the need to move beyond primary production and build integrated, competitive and commercially viable value chains.
He said investment in agriculture should be aligned with the country’s Presidential Delivery Priorities and focused on sectors capable of accelerating economic growth, creating jobs and strengthening Zambia’s economic resilience.
Addressing the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2026 in Kigali, Dr. Choombe, who led the Zambian Government delegation, highlighted the Soybean Growth Corridor as a key investment proposition, noting that Zambia is targeting annual soybean production of 3 million tonnes.
He explained that achieving this ambition would require coordinated investment not only in production, but also in mechanization, irrigation, input financing, processing, storage, aggregation, logistics and market access.
“These priority investment areas have been primed to deliver economic growth, job creation and build economic resilience,” he added.
Dr. Choombe emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment capable of attracting long-term private capital into Zambia’s agricultural sector.
He further called for investment that strengthens Africa’s ability to produce, process and trade agricultural commodities competitively.
The Permanent Secretary said increased soybean production should serve as the foundation for a broader commercial ecosystem that supports agro-processing, creates employment, expands regional trade and strengthens food and economic resilience.
“We need to invest in Africa’s agri-food system that is nourishing nations, growing jobs and building resilience,” Dr. Choombe said.
Dr. Choombe reaffirmed Zambia’s readiness to work with investors, development partners and other stakeholders to translate the country’s agricultural potential into bankable opportunities and sustainable economic growth through stronger, integrated and market-oriented value chains.
This is according to a statement issued by Ministry’s Principal Public Relations Officer, Benny Munyama.
