Access Bank prioritizing payment to farmers owed by Food Reserve Agency, says over 300,000 paid

Access Bank Zambia has reportedly paid out more than K3 billion to over 311,000 farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), with the bank describing the payments as a national priority.

Bank Managing Director, Iheanyi Nwogu, said on Saturday that the payout process was running smoothly across the bank’s branches, which had been fully mobilised to handle the high volumes of transactions.

“Payments to farmers are a national priority. We are ensuring that farmers are paid quickly, safely and with dignity. Our teams are fully prepared to support the high turnout of farmers at our branches,” Nwogu said during a tour of branches in Lusaka.

To manage congestion, he said the bank has extended operating hours at branches handling FRA payments from January 9 to January 31, 2026.

“These extended hours apply specifically to branches handling farmer payments,” Nwogu said, urging farmers to make use of the flexible schedule and seek support from staff where needed.

He said the bank remained committed to supporting national food security efforts and would continue processing payouts until all eligible farmers had been paid.

“We are working tirelessly until every farmer receives their payment. We are proud and honoured to be of service, on behalf of government, to the farmers and communities that rely on us,” he said.

Nwogu also reaffirmed the bank’s support for government agricultural initiatives and President Hakainde Hichilema’s broader economic agenda.

“The bank is fully committed to working with government and supporting President Hakainde Hichilema’s economic endeavours. Timely payment to farmers is critical to ensuring they can continue producing food for the nation,” he added.

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