Zambia has renewed its call for greater private sector participation and foreign investment in agriculture as the country positions itself to become a regional food hub.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Bayer at the Hand in Hand Initiative Investment Forum 2025 at FAO headquarters in Rome, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Engineer Peter Kapala, who leads the Zambian delegation, outlined the country’s strategic targets. He said Zambia aims to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize, one million metric tonnes of soybeans, and one million metric tonnes of wheat annually by 2030.
“Zambia is open for business. We are ready to work with private investors and development partners to unlock the potential of our agriculture sector through increased investment in irrigation, mechanization, and agro-processing,” Eng. Kapala said.
He emphasized Zambia’s central location in Southern Africa, bordering nine countries, providing access to a regional market of over 400 million people. With vast arable land, abundant water resources, and a stable investment climate, the country offers a strategic base for agribusiness expansion and regional trade.
The minister highlighted government measures to attract investors, including reforms in seed and livestock sectors, establishment of mechanization hubs, and improved access to agricultural financing. These initiatives aim to boost productivity and competitiveness in crop and livestock production.
Eng. Kapala also pointed to the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF), which enables farmers, particularly smallholders, to access affordable loans for solar-powered irrigation systems. He said such measures are crucial for year-round production, reducing dependence on rainfall, and promoting climate-smart agriculture.
The government is simultaneously investing in rural road networks, storage facilities, and digital platforms to improve market access, enabling farmers to efficiently supply both domestic and regional markets.
Swedish Minister Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Representative to FAO, Marija Milivojevic, praised Zambia for creating a favorable investment environment. She highlighted Bayer’s Itaba Project in Kabwe as a major private investment driving agricultural growth.
Ms. Milivojevic noted Bayer’s €32 million maize seed facility in Kabwe, which triples the company’s production capacity for high-quality maize seed. The facility’s output is expected to support maize consumption for approximately 30 million people across the region.
She added that the Itaba Project will reach 6.4 million smallholder farmers in Zambia and other Sub-Saharan countries this year, with projections to serve 10 million farmers by 2030. The investment ranks as the second largest by a European company in Zambia and demonstrates growing international confidence in the country’s agriculture sector.
Eng. Kapala affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting large-scale, impactful agricultural investments that create jobs, boost exports, and strengthen food security.
“We want to see more investments like Bayer’s projects that transfer technology, empower farmers, and help us build resilient agricultural systems,” the minister said.
He urged donor agencies and international financial institutions to channel more funding toward critical areas such as irrigation, mechanization, and agricultural research.
Eng. Kapala concluded that Zambia’s geographic location and resource endowment make it an ideal destination for sustainable agricultural investment capable of serving both domestic and regional food markets.