Deputy Secretary to Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development Siazongo Siakalenge has called for the active participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the Grow Zambia Agenda, saying the national ambition to increase production requires “thousands of capable local suppliers, processors, service providers, innovators and distributors.”
Speaking at the Inaugural Enterprises and Investment Indaba 2026 in Lusaka, Siakalenge said the Grow Zambia Agenda is “inseparable from the growth of MSMEs” and that these enterprises “must not remain at the margins of this transformation, but must become active participants in domestic production networks, public and private procurement, mineral and agricultural value chains, regional trade and export markets” .
THE 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 TARGETS
The Grow Zambia Agenda, unveiled by President Hakainde Hichilema during his inauguration on 1 September 2026, sets specific production targets for key sectors of the economy :
- 10,000 megawatts of electricity
- 10 million tonnes of maize
- Five million tourist arrivals
- Three million tonnes of copper
- Three million tonnes of soya beans
- One million tonnes of wheat
- One million tonnes of sugar
- One billion US dollars in beef exports
President Hichilema said Zambia recorded 5.1 million tonnes of maize during the last farming season, providing a strong foundation for achieving the 10 million tonne target. The government also plans to place 500,000 hectares under irrigation, expand access to affordable agricultural financing, and improve storage and market access.
MSMEs: THE BACKBONE OF ZAMBIA’S ECONOMY
The emphasis on MSMEs reflects their critical role in Zambia’s economic landscape. According to the Zambia National Statistical Agency, MSMEs account for over 97% of all businesses in Zambia and contribute approximately 30% to GDP. The World Bank estimates they provide around 70% of employment opportunities in the private sector .
Siakalenge outlined the government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment: “This entails coherent policy and regulation, stronger institutional coordination, accessible business development services, appropriate infrastructure, entrepreneurship and technical skills, improved access to finance, digitalisation, market linkages and deliberate support for women, young people, persons with disabilities and enterprises in rural and underserved areas”.
ENERGY AS THE FOUNDATION
Achieving the Grow Zambia targets depends heavily on expanding energy capacity. Zambia’s national installed electricity generation capacity currently stands at approximately 4,722 MW, up from 3,777 MW in 2024. Solar capacity has risen from 178 MW to 1,027 MW, exceeding the government’s 1,000 MW solar target for 2026.
The longer-term target of 10,000 MW by 2031 is critical not only for mining but also for agriculture, manufacturing, and value addition. Economist Lubinda Haabazoka estimates that achieving the copper production target alone could add about $15 billion to Zambia’s reserves over five years.
AGRICULTURE AND VALUE ADDITION
The maize target of 10 million tonnes goes beyond simply increasing production. Professor Haabazoka noted that higher output would create demand for fertiliser, agricultural equipment, irrigation, storage, transport, and packaging, while also creating opportunities for value addition such as starch and animal feed production .
The agriculture sector is also central to job creation. The World Bank estimates that agriculture employs over 70% of Zambia’s workforce, and the government is targeting increased irrigation and access to financing to boost productivity.
TOURISM AND DIVERSIFICATION
Zambia’s tourism sector is targeting 2.5 million international arrivals in 2026, building toward the Grow Zambia target of five million arrivals annually. The government has increased the tourism budget to K1.5 billion in 2026, earmarked for infrastructure development, wildlife management, marketing, and job creation.
Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba has positioned the sector as a central pillar of economic diversification, with ambitions to reach a $1 billion annual industry by 2031.