The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has commended Zambia for its remarkable achievements in transforming food systems, highlighting the country’s innovative strategies in tackling hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity.
Special Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, noted that Zambia’s efforts demonstrate a strong commitment to achieving food security and improving nutrition for its citizens. He pointed out that the country is emerging as a model on the African continent for implementing inclusive and sustainable agricultural policies.
Dr. Musafiri stressed that the decision by the Zambian government to house the Food Systems Convener in the Office of the Vice President is a strategic step that should be emulated by other African nations. He described this move as “an exceptional approach” that ensures food security policies are prioritized at the highest level of government.
The remarks came during a visit by an AUDA-NEPAD delegation to the Office of the Vice President’s Permanent Secretary for Administration, Ms. Lilian Kapusana, where discussions centered on Zambia’s food and nutrition initiatives.
Zambia’s Leadership in Food Systems Transformation
Over the past decade, Zambia has been at the forefront of agricultural transformation in Africa. The government has implemented policies that go beyond traditional food production, focusing instead on integrated food systems that ensure sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience.
AUDA-NEPAD recognized Zambia’s success in:
- Scaling up agricultural innovation to increase productivity.
- Prioritizing nutrition-sensitive agriculture to fight malnutrition.
- Strengthening policy coordination through the Vice President’s office.
- Building resilience against climate change and global food supply shocks.
According to Dr. Musafiri, Zambia’s holistic approach to food and nutrition provides valuable lessons for other African countries. “Zambia’s strategies demonstrate that political will, combined with effective governance structures, can accelerate the achievement of food security targets under the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” he said.
AUDA-NEPAD’s Support to Zambia
During the same visit, Senior Programs Officer for Food Security, Mr. Manyewu Mutamba, reaffirmed AUDA-NEPAD’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s nutrition and food system reforms. He pledged the agency’s continued technical and financial support, noting that Zambia’s progress aligns with continental frameworks such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
Mr. Mutamba emphasized that Zambia’s collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD will ensure knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and funding support for programs that directly impact vulnerable households, particularly women and children.
He also highlighted that AUDA-NEPAD’s partnership with Zambia is part of a broader effort to strengthen Africa’s food security, especially at a time when the continent faces multiple challenges, including rising food prices, climate change, and global supply chain disruptions.
The Role of the Zambian Government
Permanent Secretary for Administration in the Office of the Vice President, Ms. Lilian Kapusana, underscored the government’s determination to strengthen food and nutrition security using a whole-of-government approach.
She explained that food and nutrition security is not only an agricultural issue but also a multi-sectoral priority involving health, education, environment, finance, and social protection sectors.
“By placing the Food Systems Convener in the Vice President’s Office, Zambia has created a coordination hub that brings together multiple ministries and stakeholders,” Ms. Kapusana said. “This ensures that food and nutrition policies are not fragmented but instead aligned for maximum impact.”
National Food Systems Convener Speaks
Adding to the discussion, Mr. Victor Mbumwae, the National Food Systems Convener, expressed optimism about the partnership between Zambia and AUDA-NEPAD. He noted that the collaboration would enhance the country’s capacity to implement nutrition-sensitive policies while also unlocking new investment opportunities.
Mr. Mbumwae emphasized that AUDA-NEPAD’s technical support will assist Zambia in designing innovative financing mechanisms, strengthening farmer cooperatives, and improving market access for small-scale farmers.
He pointed out that the partnership is timely, especially as Zambia continues to recover from the effects of global economic shocks and the challenges of climate variability, which have affected food production across the region.
Why Zambia’s Food Systems Matter
Zambia’s food systems transformation is seen as critical for achieving several development goals, including:
- Reducing hunger and malnutrition – Millions of Zambians, particularly children, still face malnutrition challenges, and nutrition-focused policies are helping address this.
- Strengthening resilience – With climate change threatening agricultural output, Zambia is investing in sustainable practices that reduce vulnerability.
- Boosting economic growth – Agriculture remains a backbone of Zambia’s economy, employing a large portion of the population.
- Aligning with global commitments – Zambia’s reforms are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger.
By improving food systems, Zambia is not only addressing immediate nutrition challenges but also creating long-term pathways for economic growth, poverty reduction, and social stability.
Lessons for Africa
AUDA-NEPAD believes that other African countries can draw important lessons from Zambia’s model. Among them are:
- Political commitment at the highest level – Housing the Food Systems Convener in the Vice President’s Office ensures accountability and leadership.
- Integrated policies – Addressing food security requires health, education, and agriculture to work hand-in-hand.
- Public-private partnerships – Involving farmers, private investors, and international agencies is key to sustainable progress.
- Regional cooperation – Zambia’s example highlights the importance of continental collaboration in ensuring food securities
AUDA-NEPAD’s recognition of Zambia’s progress is a clear indication that the country is making strides toward building a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food system. By placing food and nutrition at the center of its development agenda, Zambia is not only improving the well-being of its citizens but also setting an example for other African nations to follow.
The continued collaboration between AUDA-NEPAD and the Zambian government is expected to yield significant outcomes in terms of funding, capacity building, and knowledge exchange. Most importantly, it reflects a shared vision of a food-secure Africa where hunger and malnutrition become issues of the past.
As Dr. Musafiri rightly put it, “Zambia’s progress is a testament to what political will and innovative thinking can achieve. The rest of Africa must learn from this example to ensure no one is left behind in the fight against hunger.
