AGRA Puts Women at the Centre of Zambia’s Agribusiness Future

By Alain Kabinda

For many women in Zambia, agriculture is more than a source of food.

It is a business, a livelihood and, increasingly, an opportunity to build enterprises that can employ others and contribute to the country's economic growth.

Yet for many women trying to turn agricultural activities into viable businesses, the journey from production to a growing enterprise remains difficult.

Limited access to finance, markets, business networks and leadership opportunities continues to constrain the ambitions of many women entrepreneurs.

It is against this backdrop that the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is calling for greater investment in women-led agribusinesses, arguing that women should be recognised not merely as participants in agriculture but as entrepreneurs, investors and leaders.

Speaking at the 7th She Entrepreneur Women in Agribusiness Conference, AGRA Zambia Country Director Maziko Phiri said supporting women should go beyond programmes that simply encourage their participation in agriculture.

                      Mr. Maziko Phiri 

“When women thrive in agribusiness, economies grow, communities prosper, and Africa’s food systems become stronger,” Mr Phiri said.

“We are not here to sympathize with women in agriculture. We are here to invest in their ambition, enterprise and leadership,” he said.

The message comes at a time when Zambia is looking to agriculture not only as a source of food but also as an engine of economic activity.

Women are already active across the agricultural value chain, from farming and processing to trading and other forms of agribusiness.

A woman may have an agricultural product but lack the capital to purchase equipment. She may have a viable business idea but struggle to access affordable credit. She may produce for the market but lack the networks needed to reach larger buyers.

Access to finance emerged as one of the major concerns raised during a women's leadership roundtable held earlier this year when AGRA President Alice Albright visited Zambia.

Mr Phiri said women had highlighted difficulties in accessing the capital needed to start, expand and sustain their enterprises.

She said women were already making significant contributions to Africa's food production, agribusiness and trade.

Their contribution stretches from farming and entrepreneurship to research and market leadership.

But Ms Albright said women needed more than an opportunity to participate.

They needed access to markets, finance, networks and leadership opportunities to turn their ambitions into sustainable businesses.

“Progress will only occur when women have the voice, the leadership, and the access to markets, finance and networks they need to succeed,” she said.

 Ms Albright highlighted the Value for Her initiative, which she said had grown into a community of more than 160,000 women agribusiness entrepreneurs across Africa.

The initiative reflects a broader recognition that supporting women in agriculture requires more than training or encouraging them to participate.

Mr Phiri said the future of Zambia's agriculture would not only be determined by how much the country produces.

It would also depend on who is given the opportunity to invest, innovate and build businesses throughout the agricultural value chain.

That includes women who are moving beyond primary production into processing, trading, distribution and other areas where greater value can be created.

It is also created through the businesses that provide inputs, transport crops, process agricultural products, package goods, connect producers to markets and supply consumers.

Women who gain access to these opportunities can potentially move from being small-scale participants to owners of businesses that create jobs and generate income within their communities.

Mr Phiri said this was one of the reasons AGRA had chosen to work closely with She Entrepreneur in supporting women who are already developing businesses in agriculture.

He also stressed that agricultural transformation cannot be achieved by one organisation working alone.

“Lasting transformation is built through partnerships. It is built through enterprise and people,” he said.

The women gathered at the conference represented more than statistics about participation in agriculture.

Mr Phiri recognised the women attending the conference for the enterprises they were building and the contribution they were making to their communities.

He said many women continued to establish and grow agricultural businesses despite the financial and other challenges confronting them.

The challenge now is to ensure that women do not remain at the lower end of the agricultural value chain when they have the potential to become owners and leaders of businesses operating across it.

A stronger pipeline of women-led agribusinesses could mean more businesses, more employment opportunities, stronger local value chains and greater participation by women in decisions shaping the country's food system.

The 7th She Entrepreneur Women in Agribusiness Conference brought together women entrepreneurs and other players in the agricultural sector to discuss business growth, access to finance, investment, leadership and opportunities for women.

For AGRA, the answer lies in treating women's ambition as an economic opportunity rather than simply a social issue.

The organisation says it will continue working with partners to support women as they build enterprises and assume greater roles across Zambia's agricultural value chain.

The broader message from the conference is that Zambia's agricultural future will not be determined only by the amount of food produced.

It will also be shaped by the people who have the opportunity to own businesses, attract investment, innovate and learn.

Farmers Need More Than Good Seed – Corteva

By Alain Kabinda 

For many farmers, the beginning of a new farming season starts with a familiar question: **Which seed should I buy?**

But as the planting season approaches, agricultural experts are increasingly pointing to another question that could be just as important: **What do I need to know before I put that seed into the ground?**

A farmer can buy certified, high-quality seed, prepare a field and invest in fertiliser, only to face a dry spell shortly after planting. Another farmer may choose a hybrid without fully understanding whether it is suitable for the local conditions.

Speaking at She Interprenuer 7th Conference in Lusaka Corteva Marketing and Brand Relationship Manager Ms. Deborah Tembo, these decisions demonstrate why farmers need more than agricultural inputs.

                       Ms. Deborah Temb 

“As we prepare for the farming season, there are important conversations that we need to have with farmers,” Ms.Tembo said.

She said that farmers should be equipped with practical information on when to plant, which varieties are appropriate for their areas and how to manage crops when conditions change.

“We need information. We need advice on the best farming practices. When do we plant? What do we do if we plant today and then experience a dry spell?” she said.

The image of farming often begins with a seed dropping into the soil.

But the outcome of that seed may depend on a series of decisions made before planting.

A farmer has to consider the timing of planting, the suitability of a particular hybrid, soil conditions, available inputs and the expected weather conditions.

These are questions that cannot be answered simply by buying a bag of seed.

Ms. Tembo argues that farmers need continuous access to professional advice so that they can make informed decisions throughout the production cycle.

This puts agricultural extension officers at the centre of the farming equation.

They are expected to translate technical agricultural knowledge into practical advice that farmers can understand and apply in their fields.

By sharing timely information on farming practices, weather-related risks, agricultural technologies and input quality, the media can help close the information gap between agricultural experts and farmers.

But even before farmers begin worrying about weather conditions, another threat may already be sitting in their hands.

Ms. Tembo warns that fake seed can turn a farmer's investment into a season of losses.

A farmer may spend money preparing land, buying fertiliser and paying for labour, only to discover later that the seed planted was not genuine.

“If we buy and plant counterfeit seed, we risk losing yields, losing income, or failing to attain the 10 million metric tonnes of maize production that the government has set for 2031,” she said.

For farmers who depend on agriculture for household income and food, such losses can be devastating.

This is why Ms. Tembo is urging farmers to carefully consider where they purchase their seed.

“Farmers in this room, please only buy from accredited agribusinesses,” she said.

Ms. Tembo said agro-dealers must also play their part by ensuring that counterfeit products do not enter the agricultural supply chain.

The battle against fake seed is therefore also a battle to protect farmers' investments, production and confidence in the agricultural sector.

Beyond seed and farming practices, Ms. Tembo's message also turns attention to another important part of Zambia's agricultural story: women.

Women already play significant roles across the agricultural value chain, from production and processing to trading and agribusiness.

Yet participation does not always translate into equal access to the resources needed to grow.

Ms Tembo said that women need access to technology, quality inputs, information, training, markets and leadership opportunities.

For her, supporting women should therefore go beyond discussions in boardrooms and become visible through practical opportunities.

“As Corteva, we remain committed to supporting women at every level of the agricultural value chain, from the women leading within our organisation to those outside the organisation,” she said.

“When women lead, communities thrive, and when women are empowered, we truly build a stronger future for all.” Ms. Tembo said.

The conversation about the coming farming season is ultimately about more than seed.

It is about whether farmers can access the right advice before making critical decisions, whether extension officers have the capacity to support them, whether agricultural information reaches them on time and whether the inputs they purchase are genuine.

It is also about ensuring that women have the resources and opportunities to participate meaningfully in the agricultural economy.

For Zambia's ambition to increase agricultural production to become reality, farmers will need more than promises of higher yields.

They will need the tools, information and support to make those yields possible.

And sometimes, the most important input a farmer can receive may not be found inside a seed bag.

 liquid Zambia Introduces K300 Fibre Package, Raises Internet Speeds

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zambia has introduced a new entry-level fibre package at K300 per month and increased speeds across its existing Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) packages without raising subscription fees.

The telecommunications company said the changes were aimed at making reliable broadband more affordable and accessible to households, students, entrepreneurs and businesses.

The new Easy Home package offers speeds of up to 6 Mbps at K300 per month, giving customers a lower-cost option to access Liquid Zambia’s fibre network.

The company has also upgraded speeds across its existing home packages while maintaining current monthly charges.

Flexi Home has increased from 6 Mbps to 12 Mbps, while Home Lite 10 has moved from 10 Mbps to 20 Mbps.

Home Essential has been upgraded from 20 Mbps to 40 Mbps, while Family Entertainment has increased from 30 Mbps to 65 Mbps.

Meanwhile, Modern Family has moved from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps, while Power Pack has increased from 100 Mbps to 150 Mbps.

Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zambia Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Ms. Leah Kooma said to Daily News in Lusaka that the changes were intended to make quality internet accessible to more Zambians.

                                                           (Ms. Leah Kooma)

“At Liquid, we believe access to quality internet should be within reach of every Zambian. By introducing fibre from just K300 and enhancing speeds across our packages, we are making it easier for families, students, entrepreneurs and businesses to participate in the digital economy,” Ms. Kooma said.

She said Zambia had set an ambition of building a more inclusive and digitally empowered nation and that Liquid was committed to supporting that vision through wider access to reliable connectivity.

Ms. Kooma said the upgraded packages would support households using the internet for online learning, remote work, streaming, gaming and other digital services.

She added that the increased speeds would also cater for the growing number of connected devices being used in homes.

For entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises, the company said reliable fibre connectivity could support the use of cloud applications, digital payments, e-commerce, virtual meetings and online customer engagement.

Larger organisations could also benefit from higher-speed connectivity for cloud services, collaboration, video conferencing, data backup and supporting distributed workforces.

Ms. Kooma also said expanding access to affordable and reliable broadband was important to Zambia’s continued digital development as more services and economic activities move online.

She further said the latest fibre enhancements demonstrated its commitment to strengthening Zambia’s connectivity landscape and ensuring that more households and businesses can participate in the digital economy.

 

 Insure More, Win More: Madison General Launches Major Promotion

 By Alain Kabinda.                  

 LUSAKA — 17 September 2026

 Madison General Insurance Company has launched a six-month Win and Drive Promotion aimed at encouraging more Zambians to take up insurance while rewarding customers with cash, motorbikes and a grand motor vehicle prize.

 Launched at Madison House in Lusaka under the theme “Insure More, Win More and Drive Away Happy,” the promotion gives customers multiple opportunities to win prizes when they purchase qualifying insurance policies and pay their premiums in full. 

 Speaking at the launch, Madison General Managing Director Mr. kelvin Mwale said the initiative was designed not only as a rewards programme but also as part of efforts to promote a stronger culture of insurance in Zambia. 

Mr. Mwale said insurance should be viewed as more than simply holding a policy, describing it as a source of financial protection and confidence when unexpected events occur. 

“Insurance is not simply having an insurance policy but having the confidence and trust that when an unexpected event happens, you will have the financial protection in place,” Mr. Mwale said. 

Under the promotion, customers who purchase qualifying policies and meet the applicable terms and conditions will be entered into draws.

 Qualifying products include “annual Motor Comprehensive Insurance, Third Party Insurance and House Owners Insurance”.

 Customers purchasing fully comprehensive motor insurance will receive three entries, while House Owners Insurance attracts two entries and Third-Party Insurance provides one entry.

 One qualifying customer will be selected six days a week to receive “K2,000 in fuel cash, while brand-new motorbikes” will be awarded as monthly prizes. 

 At the end of the six-month promotion, one customer will walk away with a “brand-new motor vehicle” as the grand prize. 

Mr. Mwale said the multiple draws were intended to give customers several opportunities to participate rather than having to wait until the conclusion of the promotion. 

Mr. Mwale also used the launch to encourage members of the public to insure valuable assets such as homes and motor vehicles. 

 “For many people, a motor vehicle or a house is the biggest asset they own,” Mr. Mwale said, noting that unexpected damage could have a significant financial impact on households.

 Mr. Mwale urged members of the public to consider insurance before an unfortunate event occurs and to protect assets, they have worked hard to acquire.

 He also stressed, however, that the promotion does not change the primary purpose of insurance, which it identified as “financial protection and peace of mind”.

 Mr.Mwale said the draws would be conducted under prescribed standards and independently verified by an external auditor. The final grand draw will also be broadcast live, with winners announced through the media. 

 The promotion is open to qualifying customers who purchase through eligible direct and online channels and meet the terms and conditions. 

He further called on both existing and prospective customers to review their insurance needs and take advantage of the promotion.

 Mr. Mwale said once a qualifying policy is active and the applicable requirements have been met; the customer will be entered into the relevant draws.

 CIDRZ Champions Local Capacity for Zambia’s Health Future

By Alain Kabinda

For years, some of the most important questions about the health of Zambians have depended on scientific capacity beyond the country’s borders.

But inside a laboratory in Lusaka, a different ambition is taking shape—one in which Zambia increasingly has the ability to generate its own evidence, conduct specialised testing and develop solutions to the health challenges facing its people.

That ambition was at the centre of the CIDRZ Research Laboratories Open Day, where the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia showcased its laboratory and research capabilities under the theme “Discover, Connect, Collaborate.”

Speaking at the Open Day in Lusaka CIDRZ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Otto Chabikuli,  said “We are showcasing capability, potential and an opportunity to strengthen Zambia’s health research ecosystem.”

Dr Chabikuli described the goal as healthcare sovereignty—the ability of a country to generate more of the knowledge, evidence, testing and innovation needed to protect its population.

The COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions to global supply chains exposed how dependent health systems can become on international networks for medicines, equipment, testing and scientific expertise.

For Zambia, Dr Chabikuli believes those experiences raise a fundamental question: how much of the scientific capacity needed to protect the population should be available within the country?

“We believe the answer is significantly more. We need to do more here in Zambia,” he said.

Dr Chabikuli stressed that healthcare sovereignty should not mean withdrawing from international science. Instead, he said Zambia should engage with the global scientific community from a position of greater capability and confidence.

A stronger domestic research system would not necessarily replace international collaboration. Rather, it could give Zambian scientists and institutions a greater ability to determine which questions require local answers and to contribute evidence to international research.

Health research is most useful when it reflects the realities of the people it is intended to serve. Dr Chabikuli added that local research should increasingly take into account Zambia’s genetics, disease patterns and specific health challenges.

Dr Chabikuli said Zambia must also invest in its own scientists. 

Dr Chabikuli therefore called for stronger partnerships among Government, universities, healthcare institutions, researchers and other stakeholders.

That could help ensure that decisions about diagnosis, treatment and public health interventions are informed by evidence relevant to the local population.

For the Ministry of Health, strengthening this connection is already an important part of building a stronger health system.

And Ministry of Health Assistant Director for Pathology and Laboratory Services Dr Mweemba Muvwimi said CIDRZ was contributing to the country’s capacity to provide quality diagnostic services and respond to both current and future health challenges.

He noted Zambia’s progress in responding to diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, while recognising the role played by research institutions and partners in supporting national health programmes.

It is also measured by the people who operate it, the knowledge they generate and the health facilities that benefit from that knowledge.

According to Mr. Muvwimi, CIDRZ is supporting district laboratories through staff training, quality assurance and advanced laboratory services.

That support is particularly significant for facilities outside major urban centres, where access to specialised laboratory expertise and diagnostic services can be more difficult.

Dr Muvwimi said the work was helping demonstrate that Zambian institutions could develop and maintain high-quality laboratory services while supporting other health facilities across the country.

He identified collaboration with universities and researchers and the development of local scientific talent as essential components of healthcare sovereignty.

He said, should be to create an environment where important questions about the health of Zambians can increasingly be answered by scientists and institutions working in Zambia.

Universities provide knowledge and scientific talent. Hospitals provide clinical questions and patient experience. Government establishes policy and national priorities. Laboratories generate evidence. Communities ultimately live with the consequences of health decisions.

He said the CIDRZ open day should be viewed not as a one-way presentation, but as the beginning of a wider conversation about what different institutions can contribute.

“We want to hear from our partners, researchers, universities, healthcare institutions, Government and other stakeholders about the contributions, partnerships and ideas they can bring to Zambia and the continent,” he said.

Dr Muvwimi said quality should not be something demonstrated only when institutions open their doors to visitors or showcase their facilities.

“Quality should not only be demonstrated at an event or during an open day such as this one. Quality should be our daily habit,” he said.

Reliable diagnosis depends on quality testing. Quality testing depends on trained personnel, functioning equipment, proper procedures and effective quality assurance. And all of these require sustained investment.

For rural communities in particular, the strength of the laboratory system can determine how quickly a health condition is detected and how effectively treatment can begin.

The CIDRZ showcase suggests that some of the building blocks are already being put in place like Kalingalinga Clinic in Lusaka.

“The strength of our healthcare system will depend not only on the facilities and equipment we have, but also on the knowledge we generate, the scientists we develop and the partnerships we build,” he said.

 Airtel Zambia to Sponsor 50 Students in Technology Programmes

By Alain kabinda 

AIRTEL Zambia will sponsor 50 students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue technology-related programmes at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Copperbelt University (CBU) over the next five years.

Under the Airtel Tech Fellowship, 25 students at each university will have their tuition and accommodation costs covered for up to five years.

The beneficiaries will also receive laptops, data connectivity and monthly allowances, alongside mentorship and career development support.

Speaking at the launch Airtel Zambia Managing Director Hussam Baday announced the initiative during the official launch of the Airtel Tech Fellowship at UNZA in Lusaka.

                                                                 Mr. Hussam Baday

Mr Baday said the programme was aimed at ensuring that financial difficulties did not prevent talented young people from accessing higher education and pursuing careers in technology.

“Today is a declaration of belief. A belief in the immense potential of Zambia’s young people, and a belief that no young person should be denied an opportunity to pursue their dreams because of financial hardship,” he said.

He said applications for the scholarships had officially opened, giving first-year students with an interest in technology an opportunity to apply.

Mr Baday said the fellowship would help prepare a new generation of innovators, engineers, scientists and technology leaders who would contribute to Zambia’s social and economic progress.

Speaking on behalf of Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary-Technical Services Kelvin Mambwe, Director of University Education Brian Makufele welcomed the initiative, saying financial vulnerability should not be mistaken for a lack of ability or ambition.

“Financial vulnerability must never be mistaken for lack of ability, ambition or potential,” Mr Makufele said.

He said the programme demonstrated the importance of collaboration between Government, universities and the private sector in expanding access to higher education.

Mr Makufele called on other private-sector players to support education through scholarships, infrastructure development, mentorship, digital literacy, research and skills development.

“When we support a learner, we support a family. When we educate a young person, we empower a community. And when we invest in the skills of our youth, we strengthen our nation’s capacity to grow and compete,” he said.

And UNZA Vice-Chancellor Professor Mundia Muya commended Airtel for investing in students, saying the fellowship would strengthen links between universities and industry.

Professor Muya said the initiative would help UNZA produce graduates with skills relevant to the country's development needs.

“The greatest threat to a bright student is the lack of funding, and this programme removes that barrier for beneficiaries,” he said.

Meanwhile, CBU Vice-Chancellor Professor Imasiku Nyambe thanked Airtel for extending the fellowship to students at the university.

Professor Nyambe said the initiative reflected the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasises concern for others and recognises that individual progress is connected to the progress of the wider community.

The fellowship will provide selected students with financial, technological and professional support throughout their university studies, with the aim of improving their preparation for careers in technology and related fields.

 

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