Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Elias Mubanga says Government has recorded a milestone in its drive towards economic transformation following the commissioning of the K10.8 million Senanga Aquaculture expansion project in Western province.
The project, spearheaded by the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) in partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, is part of the Government’s broader agenda to promote food security, job creation, and an inclusive economic growth under the 8th National Development Plan.
Mr Mubanga said this during the commissioning ceremony of the 26 floating fish cages placed across the Zambezi River in the locality, adding that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to empowering rural communities through sustainable enterprise development.
“This project is more than just fish farming, it is about empowerment, employment, and economic transformation for the people of Western Province. It speaks directly to President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for increased aquaculture production to reduce the national fish depletion and create opportunities for women and youth,” Minister Mubanga said.
During the launch, 26 floating fish cages were officially commissioned on the Zambezi River, and over 42,000 fish fingerlings were stocked, marking the first production cycle under the project.
Mr Mubanga said the Senanga Aquaculture project includes 56 floating cages in total, a modern hatchery capable of producing one million fingerlings annually, a 10-ton cold room, and a 5-ton refrigerated truck to support storage and transportation.
The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise said the project is expected to produce over 300 metric tonnes of fish per production cycle, creating over 800 direct and indirect jobs for the local population in the province.
And Western Province Minister, Kapelwa Mbangweta has praised the CEEC and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock for supporting Senanga’s economic growth, noting that the investment demonstrates the government’s resolve to unlock the province’s economic potential.
“This is a model of community-based empowerment that improves livelihoods and stimulates local enterprise. Western Province is ready to lead in aquaculture and value addition,” Mr Mbangweta said.
Mr Mbangweta has however, thanked the Barotse Royal Establishment for working with the government for spearheading the much-needed development in the province. This harmony and unity between the traditional leadership and the government will foster development that the people in the province are yearning for from this government.
CEEC Director General, Dr Muwe Mungule, said the Commission’s empowerment model ensures that cooperatives receive not only infrastructure but also business and technical training for long-term sustainability.
“We are promoting inclusive entrepreneurship by enabling local cooperatives to participate fully in the fish value chain. This is how real empowerment takes root,” Dr Mungule said.
Meanwhile, the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Ngambela Manyando Mukela who was represented by Induna Meimanene Patrick Iluba expressed gratitude to the government and its partners for investing in Senanga, saying the initiative aligns with the traditional authority’s efforts to promote development while safeguarding natural resources.
Ngambela Mukela expressed gratitude that the project will also introduce value addition and cold chain systems, reducing post-harvest losses and allowing farmers to access wider markets.
The traditionalist added that the collaboration between the BRE and government will transform the province in the promotion of tourism and trade within the region and beyond.
One of the four cooperatives representatives from Kucahakufeli cooperative, Masheke Nalukui said has lauded CEEC for supporting the cooperatives with skills and knowledge on how to engage in fish farming ventures in the district.
Ms Nalukui said the four cooperatives will endeavor to work closely together so that their dreams of uplifting their living standards through fish farming is achieved in the district.
“As you are aware, our various fish species in many of our rivers in the province have been depleted due to poor fishing methods, so the introduction of fish cages farming will tremendously improve our lives. From this launch today, in the next six months we will start realizing our fruits gained from CEEC, our income generating activities through fish will be enhanced,” Ms Nalukui said.
The Senanga model will be replicated in other districts across Western Province as part of the Government’s strategy to make aquaculture a driver of rural development and economic diversification.
And yet our GDP per capita keeps falling . In fact cities like Nairobi and Cape Town alone have higher GDP than our whole country Zambia.
Thats a matter of opinion
You’ll soon find out what the nation feels
GRZ must be congratulated…………
Developing a country is not for quitters , the bitter and bigots………..
Any initiative that creates jobs and food security is a step in the right direction…….
Upwards and onwards we go………
FWD2041
Everyone has been reckless especially the praise singers
Real Zambians better stop having appetite for riots, violence, including public display of anger, you destroy the country and never recover. Everyone is feeling the pain, the current government is working for you. Your short memory will destroy you. There was so much illicit money in circulation, PF had destroyed the country.
This time, just have little faith and patience. The fruits have start to bear.