Restoration for Community Justice (RCJ) has backed the Government’s announcement on expanding forestry plantations under the Grow Zambia Agenda.
Government has announced plans to expand Zambia’s forestry sector to drive economic transformation, attract investment, create jobs and boost value addition.
According to Minister of Green Economy and Environment Dr. Gilbert Siame, the Lobito and TAZARA Corridors offer strategic opportunities for expanding forest plantations, establishing wood-processing industries and boosting timber exports.
Reacting to the Minister’s remarks, RCJ Executive Director, Mathews Mulenga said the plan to unlock Zambia’s forest economy along the Lobito and TAZARA Corridors demonstrates a bold step toward sustainable growth, job creation and increased national revenue.
Mr. Mulenga observed that forestry investment, supported by the World Bank Group and international partners, is a critical pathway to achieving Zambia’s ambition for 2030.
“Outgrower schemes and compliance partnerships with Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) will further strengthen community participation and ensure environmental safeguards,” he said.
He emphasized that the Agroforestry Summit, scheduled for 28–29 October 2026 in Mpika District, is a strategic platform to align rural communities with this national vision.
“The summit theme, “Agroforestry for Sustainable Livelihoods and Ecosystems in Zambia”, highlights how integrating trees into farming systems can restore degraded land and improve food security,” Mr. Mulenga said.
He noted that the Summit will provide a platform for community participation, real-time dialogue, policy placement and partnership.
Mr. Mulenga stressed that agroforestry can open opportunities in carbon markets and green exports.
He called on government, the private sector, civil society and international partners to support the host of the event and participate in the summit, stating that stakeholders can together position rural communities at the heart of Zambia’s green economy.
Mr. Mulenga stressed that forestry and agroforestry should become engines of inclusive growth.
“The Grow Zambia Agenda needs meaningful and full participation of rural communities,” Mr. Mulenga emphasized.
