In a strategic push to diversify the economy, President Hakainde Hichilema announced new measures to position Zambia as a leading beef exporter in the region and beyond. Speaking at a Presidential Stocktake with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock yesterday, the president underscored the government’s commitment to tapping into the country’s vast livestock potential.
“The livestock sector offers a significant opportunity to diversify our economy, reducing our dependence on mineral resources and driving growth,” President Hichilema said.
As part of this initiative, five pilot Animal Disease-Free Compartments (ADFCs) have been identified in Chikankata, Chipata, Chisamba, Mumbwa, and Namwala. These designated areas aim to enhance disease control, ensuring Zambia’s beef meets stringent international export standards. Additional ADFCs are expected to follow in other regions.
To maximize this potential, the government has set an ambitious minimum target of $1 billion per year in beef exports. President Hichilema has directed the relevant ministries to accelerate efforts in expanding market access and improving livestock management practices to meet global demand.
“Our vision remains clear: to grow the economy through key sectors like livestock, creating jobs and business opportunities for our people,” the president said.
Zambia’s push into the global beef market comes amid broader efforts to diversify its economy, which has historically been reliant on copper mining. With a growing demand for high-quality beef in international markets, the country aims to leverage its vast pasturelands and favorable climate to compete with major beef-exporting nations.
Industry experts note that the success of this initiative will depend on strengthening veterinary services, improving infrastructure, and securing trade agreements with key markets. If successful, Zambia could emerge as a major player in the global beef trade, bolstering economic resilience and employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
With the strict import regulations in place by most countries I would say this is a dream too early we really have to get our vetenary services upto date and be desease free, t will take time
Sounds like exporting electricity, while loadshedding locally. The way Tongas think sometimes amaze me.
Exporting beef, while there is no beef on copperbelt.
Export locally, you will still earn money.
@ Nostradamus…. maybe he thinks this will prop up the Kwacha v USD. I’m not an economist but compelling the mining companies to put part of their dollar profits into BOZ would do the magic
Imwe bantu read the invisible script between the lines. The actual story is “In a strategic push for his Bweengwa farm, President Hakainde Hichilema has announced new measures to position Zambia as a leading beef exporter…” Zambia has infinite scope for strategy. Why cant we have strategic pushes for Tourism, with so many national parks, fishing industry-we have the biggest water reserves in Southern Africa, energy we have plenty of solar and hyro and coal, Timber we have priceless trees apart from KK’s plantations. Kodi Strategy only revolves around HH?
We just need to take control of our Natural resources… we give away our Natural resources and start crying for donations….cows are more difficult to export but since we have a chimbwi no plan President…everything becomes “strategic”….we’re just fooling ourselves
“Strategic”….my ass…HH is just a useless demagogue Politician…..am glad Trump is giving all the thieving Presidents his middle finger….No more donations
You could have said another broken promise on the way
Promises Association of Zambia(PAZ)
Putting $$$ into the bank of BOZ ?? would you ??? Let the politicians set an example then others may follow
If we started thinking like this at independence by now we could a different and rich country. With such mentality I am sure God would have shown us where diamonds and other precious minerals are in the same way Botswana was directed. Remember God helps those who try to help themselves. The lazy and petty ones are talking about markets I will not even given give a hint of where markets are.
I agree with Musumali. As matter of fact it is not only beef. Even pigs can help us earn a lot of money. US was a major supplier of pork China. Now with the trade war going on between the two countries I am sure China would be happy to buy the pork from us. It is surprising that African countries are not correctly reading the situation and taking advantage of the confusion created by Donald Trump.
Why does African governments always talk about exports you need the dollar but you need to feed your beef to your own pupulation first any excess can be exported. Dollars for what? More imports.
Exports are the only way of improving the economy. In the case of Zambia it is even more so because of the limited small local market. In addition the local people are poorly paid limiting their ability to buy commodities at prices favourable to the producer.
@Chisha Banda ask yourself what does Denmark, a tinier country than Zambia, export? The answer should wake up most sleeping Zambians. Especially the politicians.
President Trump has shaken all countries.
All Aid stopped so time to make our own
Money.
Get the phytosanitary ,cold storage infrastructure (stable electricity required) ,farmers extension services and efficient transportation systems in place 1st.
Coastal countries like Kenya and Tanzania will have built-in advantages over Zambia on this cow export business .
This should read: HH Sets Sights on Becoming a Major Beef Exporter. Everything that he brings up, he must be the beneficiary. This man is not normal. Why did he think of fish or ifishimu or even chibwabwa? He goes to were he will get significantly harvest. So, whichever countries he will approach, he will discuss as the sole exporter and he will be charging Zambians as agent. Watch this page. You will see. Did that copper, sugilite, gold, nickel, cobalt, and now it is beef. He is a crook.
Stop smoking weed imwe………
FED2031
Weed is very helpful to our biology
4 years in office and still making campaign promises…..kikikikikiki….we seriously need a Trump like leader not these kawayawayas
Let’s first stop shooting at the messenger HH and look at it all from a dispassionate angle.
Facts are :Zambia’s Agri-potential is very underdeveloped compared to tiny New Zealand whose agricultural exports alone are $30B…consisting of seeds ,wool,dairy,live animals ,fruits,wine,wood products,fish and sea food.
Bwana HH let’s even go further than just beef exports: Zambian cow parts should be processed into adhesives,brushes,lamination,lab ingredients,medicines,fertilizer,dyes,gelatin,cosmetics,paint,crayons,phosphorous …and many other cow by-products that we import.
Cow give us so many products that we take for granted bcoz we don’t know it and can enhance export revenues plus new industries.
A lot of defeated minds above……….
A derelict defeated mind is a useless mind and mentality……….
Looks like they are giving up………
The UPND GRZ say…….”we gonna do it anyway…”
FWD2031
Here we go again
Never trust a person who applies inecto to hide the grey
Why? People apply lipstick, face powder, eyeliner, etc and they aren’t sneered at. What’s wrong with Inecto?