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The Zambian government, in partnership with Stanbic Bank and WWF Zambia, has reportedly planted 45,000 indigenous trees at the source of the Zambezi River as part of the ongoing Let’s Secure the Zambezi initiative.
The project aims to restore degraded ecosystems, combat deforestation, and promote sustainable livelihoods for communities living around the Zambezi headwaters.
Speaking at the fourth annual tree-planting ceremony in Ikelenge on Friday, Permanent Secretary for North-Western Province, Col. Grandson Wishikoti Katambi (Retired), said the government commended the partners for their continued support in environmental conservation.
Read more: Government reinforces tree planting to combat climate challenges
In a speech read on his behalf by Chief Human Resource Management Officer, Brian Munamunungu, Katambi emphasized the strategic importance of the Zambezi River, noting that “40 million people’s livelihoods in the sub-Saharan region depended on the Zambezi River for water, food, and energy security.”
Katambi highlighted the threats facing the river, including deforestation, water pollution, drought, and unsustainable agricultural practices.
He added that the Zambezi’s hydroelectric potential was critical for Zambia’s energy supply, particularly at a time when erratic rainfall has affected hydropower generation and national productivity.
“The government cannot single-handedly address conservation challenges, and it is heartening to see responsible corporate citizens and civil society partners stepping in to secure the Zambezi for posterity,” Katambi said.
He urged local communities to actively engage in the initiative, adopt sustainable practices, and protect the river as a shared natural resource.
Stanbic Bank Zambia Head of Reputation, Brand, Communications, and CSR, Sarah Banda Ortiz, noted that the bank had increased funding to support tree planting, awareness campaigns on forest cover loss, and alternative livelihood initiatives.
She said the bank’s contribution had seen more than 20,000 trees planted and 30,000 seedlings nurtured in community nurseries.
She emphasized that the bank’s continued support for the project in 2026 aimed to plant an additional 15,000 trees throughout the month, strengthen livelihoods, and promote sustainable development.
WWF Zambia, represented at the ceremony by Upper Zambezi Landscape Manager, Lemmy Namayanga, on behalf of Country Director Nalucha Nganga-Ziba, said the initiative was not just about planting trees, but about preserving one of Africa’s most critical ecosystems.
“The Zambezi headwaters are a hive of unique biodiversity and a lifeline for local communities,” Namayanga said.
Namayanga added that the initiative had trained over 50 beekeepers across local community groups, representing about 2,000 households, while also supporting smart agricultural practices to build resilience against climate change.
Namayanga called on communities, government, and private sector partners to continue working together to safeguard the Zambezi headwaters, stressing that collective action was key to securing Zambia’s natural heritage for future generations.
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