President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia could soon face the challenge of producing more maize than it can consume, warning that failure to secure markets could result in losses for farmers.

Speaking during the 2026 National Delivery Day at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, President Hichilema said the country is projected to harvest over four million metric tonnes of maize this year, following increased agricultural production.

However, he noted that Zambia consumes between 2.7 and 3 million metric tonnes annually, raising concerns about how to manage the surplus.

“So now, what do we do with the rest? If it sits at farm gates with farmers, that is a disaster,” he said.

The Head of State explained that while farmers have responded positively to government policies, the focus must now shift towards securing reliable markets both locally and internationally.

President Hichilema cautioned against abruptly closing export channels, warning that Zambia risks losing regional markets to competitors if supply becomes inconsistent.

He cited past experiences where countries such as Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa turned to alternative suppliers after Zambia restricted exports.

“[DR] Congo, South Africa took away our market; now we are struggling to get it back because we shut it,” he said.

The President also urged citizens to stop viewing foreign buyers—particularly from the Democratic Republic of Congo—as smugglers, instead describing them as legitimate customers who should be engaged through formal trade channels.

“I don’t want anyone calling Congolese ‘smugglers’, those are our customers; let’s provide them with a proper channel of business,” he said.

He revealed that government is already engaging neighbouring countries with food deficits to secure markets for the expected surplus.

President Hichilema emphasised that increased production must go hand in hand with market planning to ensure farmers benefit from their efforts.

The event was organised by the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), which was established in March 2023 to accelerate implementation of priority government programmes and improve service delivery.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango says the government values the strong bilateral relations that exist between Zambia and Korea.

Mrs Nalumango states that the government appreciates the cordial relations that the two countries continue to enjoy.

She disclosed that the existing bilateral ties have continued to grow over the years.

The media reports that the Vice President said this today, when South Korea Ambassador to Zambia Jae Kyung Park paid courtesy on her in Lusaka.

Mrs Nalumango thanked the Korean government for having supported Zambia in driving its development agenda.

She also has thanked the government of Korea for rendering support to Zambia in the areas of education, health, science and technology.

Mrs Nalumango also cited community development and social services as other areas that Zambia has received support from Korea.

Meanwhile, Mrs Nalumango has implored Koera to partner with Zambia in developing resettlement areas.

Mrs Nalumango says the government does not want resettlements to remain underdeveloped but to turn them into hubs of development.

She explained that youths will now be attracted to go and settle in resettlements if they are fully developed.

Mrs Nalumango said the government is looking for support from Korea that will help in developing resettlement areas.

She assured the Ambassador that any support that will be rendered to the government in developing resettlements will be used for its intended purpose.

Mrs Nalumango said the government is looking forward to working more closely with the government of Korea in transforming rural communities in Zambia.

And Mr Park said he is confident that Zambia will hold peaceful and transparent elections as the country goes to the polls this year.

He noted that Zambia’s elections are going to be inclusive and fair adding that Zambia has set the bar high in terms of democratic transitions.

President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration has restored investor confidence in Zambia’s economy, attracting over US$12 billion in mining investments since taking office.

Speaking during the 2026 Presidential Delivery Unit National Delivery Day at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, President Hichilema said his government inherited a struggling economy but has since put it back on a path to recovery through key reforms.

The President noted that the value of ZCCM-IH has grown significantly, rising from about US$300 million to over US$1 billion.

He also called for support towards Copperbelt Energy Corporation to enhance its tax contributions, which he said are critical in financing social programmes such as free education.

President Hichilema added that efforts are underway to strengthen the financial position of ZESCO as part of broader economic reforms.

He further urged the Zambia Statistics Agency to ensure timely and accurate updates of key economic indicators, including Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to support informed decision-making.

The Head of State also called on the civil service to fully embrace the government’s development agenda, emphasising the importance of cost efficiency, quality work and timely delivery of public services.

Government has commended the European Union (EU) for its continued partnership and support in empowering local communities in the country through various interventions.

Western Province Agriculture Coordinator, Rodwell Muntanga, noted that the government is keen in partnering with the private sectors to accelerate meaningful development in various sectors such as agriculture, education and infrastructure among others.

Mr Muntanga stated that the three-year Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Leads Project being implemented by the People In Need (PIN) and Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection (JCTR) will improve service delivery and uplift people’s welfare in various communities in the province.

He urged the EU through PIN and JCTR to continue supporting CSO action plans in order to achieve the set targets and ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Mr Muntanga was speaking at the PIN, JCTR and CSOs stakeholders’ engagement meeting on the CSO Leads project in Kaoma District.

“Government appreciates the role of (CSOs) as partners in development. The policy direction of the government if you are aware now is the promotion of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) in various development sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Education and Infrastructure. In this regard, the government Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection (JCTR)and People In Need (PIN) appreciates the European Union for implementing the Leads project which brings together the CSOs and government departments to form this partnership that will provide service delivery in the communities”, he noted.

Meanwhile, PIN Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Innocent Ngonga assured PIN and JCTR’s of its commitment on the project in strengthen the existing CSOs through capacity development support, mentorship, sharing of best practices peer to peer learning and to enhance their networking skills as well as form new partnerships collusions.

PIN in partnership with JCTR and with financial support from the European Union is implementing a three years’ action CSO- Leads project aimed at building empowered resilient civil society actors to enhance good governance and sustainable development in the country.

The project is being implemented in five provinces namely, Western Southern, Lusaka, Luapula and North-Western.

Kaoma, Nkeyema and Luampa Districts are the beneficiaries of the project in Western Province.