Africa Harvest – Zambia
Africa Harvest – Zambia
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Unlocking Zambia’s Agricultural Potential

Agriculture is the backbone of Zambia’s economy, feeding households, creating jobs, and fueling industries. Yet, despite 72% of Zambians working in agriculture, the sector contributes only 3.4% to GDP (down from 9.3% in 2012).

Smallholder farmers, most cultivating less than 5 hectares with basic tools, face barriers to productivity, finance, and markets. With the right investment, Zambia’s maize, soybeans, sunflower, cassava, sorghum, vegetables, and fruits can power inclusive growth, food security, and jobs for women and youth.

Expected Impact
5,000+ jobs created, with a strong youth & women focus

Our Strategic Objectives

Africa Harvest is implementing a bold 5-year strategy (2023–2027) to reach 10 million beneficiaries across Africa with programs that:
  1. Increasing production and productivity of at least 10 food crops and livestock value chain across East Africa, West Africa, SADC and Central African countries.
  2. To enhance incomes for smallholder farmers by intervening in agricultural market systems and policy.
  3. To increase smallholders’ resilience to climate change.
  4. Scaling up and Promotion of successful Innovative Agricultural Technologies and Models to improve crop and animal productivity across East Africa, West Africa, SADC and Central African Countries.
  5. To establish a Technical Services Unit to provide training and capacity building services for stakeholders in agriculture.
  6. Promoting women and youth employment along the agricultural value chains

Transforming Agriculture with AFAZ

Introducing the Agri-Finance Accelerator Zambia (AFAZ)—a 3-year, US$50M initiative designed to unlock financing for smallholder farmers and agribusiness SMEs across seven provinces.

Through AFAZ, Africa Harvest and partners will:

  • Expand access to tailored agri-loans and digital finance
  • Strengthen SMEs with financial literacy, business planning & digital tools
  • Build aggregation hubs, contract farming models, and digital marketplaces
  • Champion gender-inclusive and youth-focused entrepreneurship
  • Map and strengthen value chains through technology and partnerships

AFAZ by the Numbers (Expected Impact)

  • 10,000 farmers (50% women) gain access to credit
  • 25 agribusiness SMEs supported to secure financing
  • 40%+ increase in approved loan applications
  • 5,000+ jobs created, with a strong youth & women focus
  • 30–50% revenue growth for supported SMEs
  • 5+ financial institutions offering new agri-loan products
  • 20%+ revenue growth for farmer cooperatives

Why Partner with AFAZ?

Market-Aligned

Supports Zambia’s National Agriculture Policy & Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Support Program (CATSP)
Scalable

Scalable

A model for Zambia and Southern Africa

High-Impact

Delivers on SDGs 1, 2, 5 & 8.

Proven Leadership

Africa Harvest has a track record of agricultural transformation across Africa.

We are seeking visionary partners and investors to co-finance and scale AFAZ. Together, we can turn Zambia’s agriculture into a driver of food security, inclusive prosperity, and climate resilience.

For partnerships contact: Mrs. Sylvia Banda – scbanda@sylvafoods.co.zm