Background
Agriculture is central to Zambia’s economy, with nearly 78% of the population depending on it for livelihoods. While a segment of large-scale commercial farms exists, the majority of production is dominated by smallholders. Women make up 60-70% of the agricultural workforce yet face barriers to accessing land due to traditional inheritance laws. With a median age of 18.3 years and 54% of the population under 18, youth inclusion is critical. However, these small-scale producers face persistent barriers: limited access to land, financial capital, and markets prevents them from moving beyond subsistence farming. Furthermore, a lack of capacity development opportunities restricts their ability to improve productivity, meet quality standards, and engage with more lucrative value chains. This exclusion limits individual economic empowerment and constrains the overall growth of the national agricultural sector.
Where we see opportunities to change PPII
The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has demonstrated a clear interest in mainstreaming youth and other marginalized groups into the agricultural sector as a driver for economic growth and stability. This political will creates a strong opportunity to reshape incentives and investments. There is a significant opportunity to expand interventions beyond the farm gate, fostering the development of market systems that connect smallholders to processors, aggregators, and other private and public actors. By investing in and strengthening the linkages between underserved producers and these market actors, we can build more inclusive value chains and integrated food system markets. This approach aligns with national priorities to create employment, empower women and youth, and transition the agricultural sector from a subsistence base to a more commercially oriented and resilient one.
Profiles of Fellows for Inclusive Markets
Fellows of the African Food Fellowship in Zambia are working to dismantle the structural barriers that exclude youth, women, and other marginalized groups from agricultural markets. They are practitioners and innovators focused on creating and scaling inclusive business models that link smallholders to reliable markets and financial services, and de-risk investments in agriculture. Their work involves designing and implementing capacity-building programs, advocating for equitable land and financing policies, and fostering partnerships between small-scale producers and private and public sector actors to build a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural economy. Young women in agri-business, policy makers, senior civil servants, private sector off-takers, and financial market players will play a significant role in this impact area.
IMPACT AREAS
Inclusive Markets and Trade
The African Food Fellowship supports leaders dismantling the barriers that exclude women, youth, and smallholders from Zambia's agricultural markets. Fellows are building inclusive business models, advocating for equitable land and financing policies, and forging partnerships across value chains — shifting Zambia's food economy from subsistence to sustainable, shared prosperity.
Resilient Food Systems
The African Food Fellowship supports food systems leaders tackling Zambia's growing climate vulnerability. With millions facing acute food insecurity and droughts intensifying, Fellows are driving the shift from reactive adaptation to proactive resilience — through climate-smart irrigation, off-grid energy solutions, and innovative risk financing for smallholders.
Access to Nutritious and Healthy Foods
The African Food Fellowship supports leaders working to make healthy, nutritious diets accessible to all Zambians. From school feeding programmes sourcing from local smallholders to urban food policies tackling the rise of diet-related NCDs, Fellows are bridging the gap between agriculture, health, and education to address Zambia's dual burden of malnutrition.
