Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) has partnered with ZCAS University through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at promoting research and development, knowledge exchange, capacity building and innovation in the tobacco sector.
Speaking during the MoU signing in Lusaka, TBZ Executive Director, Robert Mwale said the Board has identified research, innovation and evidence-based decision-making as key to improving tobacco production, productivity, quality and marketing in Zambia.
Mr. Mwale stated that research is increasingly becoming the backbone of modern, competitive and sustainable tobacco production, stressing the need for credible data and practical solutions to address challenges facing the industry.
“We can no longer rely solely on conventional approaches,” he said. “The industry needs research-driven solutions that respond to the needs of growers, buyers, processors and other stakeholders.”
He stressed that research findings could provide the evidence needed to formulate sound policies, improve regulatory approaches and guide strategic decisions, ultimately strengthening tobacco’s contribution to agricultural development, employment creation, rural livelihoods and export earnings.
Mr. Mwale said the partnership would bring together TBZ’s regulatory mandate, industry experience and stakeholder networks with the university’s academic capabilities and research expertise to address practical challenges in the sector.
He further highlighted the need for student internships and professional exposure, noting that TBZ required additional support in areas such as information technology, legal services, human resources, procurement, data collection and processing.
“There are so many areas in which we need interns,”Mr. Mwale stated. “Such opportunities will help bridge the gap between academic learning and practical industry experience while strengthening the institution’s operational capacity.”
He reaffirmed TBZ’s commitment to the sustainable growth and development of the tobacco industry in line with its statutory mandate under the Tobacco Act No. 10 of 2022, adding that collaboration with ZCAS University would help promote research, continuous training and the adoption of best practices to unlock the industry’s potential.
Meanwhile, ZCAS University Vice Chancellor Professor Edwin Bbenkele cautioned that signing agreements without implementing them would yield limited benefits, stressing that the success of the TBZ-ZCAS partnership would depend on translating commitments into tangible results that support the Grow Zambia agenda.
He emphasized that he Grow Zambia agenda requires stronger collaboration between universities, the private sector, government and civil society to achieve national development targets.
Professor Bbenkele said empowering people through capacity building and skills development is critical to improving efficiency and productivity in key economic sectors, including the tobacco industry.
He stated that partnerships between academic institutions and the private sector were essential in bridging skills gaps and providing practical solutions to industry challenges.“Institutions need to move beyond theoretical knowledge and embrace research and innovation that respond to changing business environments,” he said.
Professor noted that the partnership would provide an opportunity for university academics and students to collaborate with TBZ in areas such as human resources, information and communication technology, legal services, procurement, data collection and processing.
He added that the collaboration would also promote action-oriented research aimed at identifying challenges facing the tobacco industry and developing practical solutions to improve institutional performance.
“Universities have a responsibility to become more relevant to both the public and private sectors by engaging industry players to understand their needs and jointly develop solutions,” Professor Bbenkele added.
