MINISTRY OF SMEs, ZGF AND PARTNERS PUSH FOR AGROECOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ZAMBIA

The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sustainable business models that promote food security, environmental protection, and inclusive growth through agroecological entrepreneurship.

Speaking during the Advancing African Agroecological Entrepreneurship and Territorial Markets (AAE & TM) convening held in Lusaka on Thursday, Pamela Chitulangoma, Director of SMEs at the Ministry, delivered a speech on behalf of the Permanent Secretary Subeta K. Mutelo, commending the organizers for creating a platform that fosters innovation and collaboration among farmers, entrepreneurs, and civil society organizations.

“Agroecological enterprises represent a transformative frontier for our economy,” she said. “They create income opportunities for rural communities while protecting the environment and strengthening food security key pillars for long-term resilience.”

Chitulangoma emphasized that the Ministry is expanding entrepreneurship development programs, promoting green enterprise financing, and working to strengthen market linkages for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). She urged participants to build partnerships and identify new opportunities that could drive Zambia’s transition toward a green economy.

The event, hosted by the Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF) in collaboration with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) and the Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity (ZAAB), brought together stakeholders from across the agricultural and enterprise development sectors to deliberate on sustainable food systems and local market strengthening.

In her keynote address, ZGF Chief Executive Officer Ms. Engwase Mwale highlighted the need for community-led approaches in advancing agroecology and entrepreneurship.

“This convening marks a pivotal moment in our national journey toward food sovereignty,” Mwale stated. “For too long, industrial agriculture has overshadowed local models of food production, yet the solutions we seek already exist within our communities.”

Mwale noted that since 2017, ZGF has been working closely with communities in Rufunsa, Chibombo, Chisamba, and Luangwa, helping farmers harness indigenous knowledge to improve soil fertility, manage natural resources, and build local seed and food markets.

The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) also underscored the importance of agroecology as a movement for justice, dignity, and resilience. Representing the organization, Ruth Nabegala said Africa’s food future must be grounded in sustainability and sovereignty.

“Across the continent, smallholder farmers and women-led cooperatives are proving that ecological sustainability and economic prosperity can coexist,” Nabegala said. “This convening is a reminder that real change begins from the ground up.”

Participants at the two-day meeting called for stronger policy alignment, investment in small-scale enterprises, and the creation of local markets that ensure farmers benefit directly from their produce.

The AAE & TM Convening is part of a broader African initiative aimed at connecting agroecological entrepreneurs, promoting territorial markets, and advancing food systems that are inclusive, resilient, and environmentally sound.

As the convening concluded, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative action, pledging to strengthen partnerships and scale up agroecological solutions that empower communities while ensuring sustainable economic growth.