The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, through the Department of Foreign Trade and the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project, has launched a K3.4 million capacity-building programme to empower beekeepers and honey producers in North Western Province.
The initiative, supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), is aimed at strengthening the apiculture sector and unlocking its full economic potential.
Speaking during the launch in Solwezi today, North Western Province Permanent Secretary Colonel Grandson Katambi (Rtd) said the programme marks a major milestone in efforts to improve productivity, enhance product quality, and boost profitability among local honey producers.
Col. Katambi noted that North Western Province accounts for over 50 percent of Zambia’s total honey production, largely through traditional methods. He said the province’s vast forests and favourable climate create ideal conditions for honey production and export.
However, he highlighted several challenges facing the sector, including weak cooperative governance, limited access to finance, outdated production methods, and failure to meet international quality standards.
“Much of the honey produced in the Province fails to access lucrative international markets because it does not meet the required quality standards,” he said.
Col. Katambi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship as a key driver of poverty reduction and improved livelihoods.
“The Provincial administration will fully support this programme to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes of improved productivity, enhanced quality and increased profitability among honey producers,” he said.
He also outlined broader government plans to strengthen trade and transport infrastructure in the region.
The Permanent Secretary revealed that an agreement is being finalised for the construction of a railway line from Chingola in Copperbelt Province through North Western Province to Luacano in Angola, where it will connect to the Benguela Railway leading to the Port of Lobito on the Atlantic Ocean.
Additionally, the government plans to construct an all-weather road from Mwinilunga to the Jimbe border and establish a One Stop Border Post at Jimbe to facilitate smoother cross-border trade.
“Once completed, this infrastructure will greatly enhance regional integration and trade among the three corridor states,” Col. Katambi said.
Meanwhile, Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project Coordinator Michael Nsunka said North Western Province was chosen for the launch because it produces the majority of Zambia’s honey.
He explained that the new programme will address sector challenges through training, strengthened cooperative governance, and certification support for beekeeping groups. With AfDB support, the programme aims to boost domestic and cross-border trade among Lobito Corridor countries—Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr Nsunka added that the initiative will also promote the participation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in value chains across the agriculture, mining, and construction sectors.
And Mr Trackson Chikonko of Mutanda Agro Product Cooperative commended the government for the initiative, saying it will help local beekeepers build both financial and technical capacity.
