GREEN economy minister Gilbert Siame is in Rome, Italy for the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum.
According to Precious Mulenga, the First Secretary – Press and Public Relations at Zambian Embassy in Rome, Lusaka is open for sustainable agrifood investment.
The statement was jointly issued by Mulenga and Ministry of Green Economy and Environment principal public relations officer Harriet Malambo Chimuka.
The duo said Zambia had continued to make positive strides in promoting agricultural trade and investment aimed at economic transformation and improving the living standards of its citizens.
“To intensify this path, Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Dr Gilbert Siame has arrived in Rome with a delegation to attend the 2026 FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum being held from 13th to 16th October 2026 at FAO Headquarters in Rome under the theme: ‘Accelerating Agrifood Systems Transformation through Investment and Partnership for the Sustainable Development Goals’,” reads the statement in part.
The Hand-in-Hand Initiative is FAO’s flagship programme that supports investment in high-potential agrifood territories to accelerate transformation and eradicate poverty and hunger.
The duo said Zambia’s participation is anchored on the Grow Zambia Agenda, “President Hakainde Hichilema’s flagship strategy to turn agriculture into a business and main driver of economic growth, jobs and food security, moving the country from a net importer to a net exporter”.
“Following a data-driven analysis supported by FAO, Zambia will present bankable investment plans in four priority value chains [of] soybeans, honey, beef and common beans. These value chains were selected for their potential to increase smallholder incomes and youth employment, enhance value addition and agro-processing, strengthen export earnings and promote climate resilience,” explained the duo. “The plans offer opportunities across production, aggregation, processing, cold-chain logistics, certification and market access.
While in Rome, the delegation will also explore partnerships through thematic sessions on unlocking finance for resilient coffee value chains and artificial intelligence for bridging investment gaps in agrifood systems. Zambia is open for sustainable agrifood investment.”
Source : The Magnet
