Minister Mbangweta urges youths, women in Western province to tap into agriculture cooperatives

Western Province Minister Kapelwa Mbangweta has called on youths and women across the province to form viable cooperatives, especially in the agriculture sector, as a pathway to economic empowerment.

During a tour of cooperatives in Kaoma East and Luampa on Wednesday, Mbangweta highlighted the success of community-driven initiatives and encouraged more citizens to take advantage of government and donor-funded programmes.

According to a statement issued in Mongu on Thursday, while in Kaoma East, Mbangweta visited Mulamatila Youth Cooperative, which began operations on rented land in December 2013.

With a capital injection of K48,000 from Czech Caritas, the cooperative now owns over 10 hectares of land where it practices horticulture and the group was also planning to expand into fish farming and piggery.

In Luampa District, the Minister commended Kafamukwenu Cooperative, a savings and credit group formed in 2016 with 32 members, mostly women.

“The cooperative has accumulated over K200,000 through member shareholdings and plans to diversify into poultry and pig farming,” he noted.

Still in Luampa, Mbangweta visited 34-year-old entrepreneur Mununga Kangimbo, who has grown his business significantly through government support.

Mbangweta highlighted that originally operating a grocery shop, Kangimbo received a K350,000 loan in 2024 under the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission.

“Mr. Kangimbo used the funds to purchase a light truck and has since expanded his operations to employ six people,” he said.

Mbangweta encouraged cooperatives to make full use of government’s ongoing Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project Phase II (ZATP II), a $170 million initiative supported by the World Bank.

Running from 2023 to 2028 Under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the project aims to benefit over 133,000 smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses across all ten provinces.

“This is more than a funding opportunity, it’s a strategic push to transform agriculture into a powerhouse of inclusive economic growth,” he said.

The Minister urged cooperatives to submit their business proposals by May 30, 2025, through the Ministry of Small, Medium, and Enterprise Development in the Province.

ZATP II offers matching grants of up to $50,000, business development services under the MarketConnect programme, and a line of credit facility for high-growth enterprises.

It prioritizes youth, women, and persons with disabilities while promoting climate-smart technologies and strengthening value chains for regional and international trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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