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Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary, Dr. Max Choombe, has called for increased private-sector investment in Zambia’s agri-food systems, saying the country must move beyond primary production.
Speaking while leading the Zambian Government delegation to the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, Choombe said investment must be aligned with Zambia’s Presidential Delivery Priorities.
He stressed that the focus should be on sectors capable of accelerating economic growth, creating jobs and strengthening the country’s economic resilience.
Choombe highlighted the Soybean Growth Corridor as a key investment proposition, noting that Zambia was targeting annual soybean production of 3 million tonnes.
“These priority investment areas have been primed to deliver economic growth, job creation and build economic resilience,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary explained that achieving the 3 million-tonne target would require coordinated investment across the value chain, not just in production.
“We need to invest in Africa’s agri-food system that is nourishing nations, growing jobs and building resilience,” Choombe said.
He listed mechanisation, irrigation, input financing, processing, storage, aggregation, logistics and market access as critical areas requiring capital and coordination.
Choombe said creating an enabling environment was essential to attract long-term private capital into Zambia’s agricultural sector.
“We need to invest in Africa’s agri-food system that is nourishing nations, growing jobs and building resilience. There is need for systems that support farmers and businesses from farm to market,” he emphasized.
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Choombe further called for investment that strengthened Africa’s ability to produce, process and trade agricultural commodities competitively.
“We need to invest in Africa’s agri-food system that is nourishing nations, growing jobs and building resilience. The continent must capture more value locally,” he said.
Choombe stated that increased Soybean production should serve as the foundation for a broader commercial ecosystem.
He stated that the priority investment areas had been primed to deliver economic growth, job creation and build economic resilience while linking the corridor to agro-processing, employment and regional trade.
Choombe reaffirmed Zambia’s readiness to work with investors, development partners and other stakeholders to translate the country’s agricultural potential into bankable opportunities through stronger, integrated and market-oriented value chains.
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