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Zambia and Malawi are moving swiftly to operationalize a presidential agreement that will see the export of 200,000 metric tons of maize from Zambia to Malawi, in a landmark step toward strengthening regional cooperation on food security and drought resilience.
The two countries’ Finance Ministers, Situmbeko Musokotwane of Zambia and Joseph Mwanamveka of Malawi, met on the side-lines of the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings to accelerate the implementation framework for the agreement.
The initiative followed commitments made between President Hakainde Hichilema and President Arthur Mutharika, underscoring the two nations’ shared determination to address the region’s growing climate and food challenges.
Reflecting on Zambia’s own experience during the devastating 2023–2024 drought in a statement, Musokotwane said the government had implemented a coordinated and compassionate national response to protect citizens from hunger.
“Our goal was to ensure that no citizen died of hunger,” he said. “Through a Cabinet-led, coordinated approach, we realigned the budget, expanded social cash transfers, launched a Cash for Work programme, and delivered targeted relief to protect livelihoods.”
The government’s intervention, supported by a World Bank grant exceeding US$202 million and other development partners, reached more than 1.6 million households through food and cash assistance programmes.
The response was managed by the Drought Disaster and Emergency Response Team, in collaboration with the United Nations, the World Bank, and various civil society organizations.
The upcoming intergovernmental meeting in Chipata is expected to finalize logistical and policy details for the maize exports, including transportation, pricing, and trade facilitation mechanisms.
Musokotwane reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to regional solidarity and sustainable recovery, emphasizing that cooperation and preparedness are essential for resilience in the face of climate change.
“When our neighbours face difficulty, we stand together,” he said. “Unity, preparedness, and compassion are as vital as rainfall itself.”
The maize export arrangement not only strengthens Zambia’s position as a reliable agricultural partner within the region but also signals a deepening of economic and humanitarian ties between Lusaka and Lilongwe, as both countries work toward shared prosperity and climate adaptation.
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