Zambia, Chinese firm sign rural revitalisation model agreement

Zambia and the Chinese African Origins Consortium have signed an agreement aimed at strengthening China–Africa cooperation and developing a sustainable rural revitalisation model tailored to Zambia.

The agreement draws from China’s rural revitalisation strategy—built on thriving industries, eco-friendly environments, effective governance, and improved livelihoods—while adapting the approach to Zambia’s local resource endowments and cultural context.

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development Siazongo Siakalenge—represented by Bernad Kamphasa—signed on behalf of Zambia during a ceremony held simultaneously at the Zambian Embassy in Beijing and at Cabinet Office in Lusaka.

The agreement paves the way for an integrated rural revitalisation demonstration project combining leisure farming, cultural tourism, and agricultural modernization.

The initiative is also intended to support the Presidential agenda to expand irrigated agricultural production.

“Government looks forward to the development and implementation of the agreements that will actualize the projects embedded in the MoU,” Siakalenge said, noting that the initiative aligned with the Eighth National Development Plan and the President’s vision for sustainable agriculture-led economic transformation.

Zambia’s Ambassador to China, Ivan Zyuulu, said the signing marked an important milestone in bilateral cooperation, calling for the immediate development of a project implementation plan, identification of suitable sites, and the undertaking of feasibility studies.

Also present were Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary Dr. Max Choombe, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary Dr. Douty Chibamba, State House Chief Specialist–Projects Winza Mwauluka, Director of Finance and Economic Development Dingiswayo Banda, and other senior government officials.

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