Zambia is making major strides in building a modern logistics network to support the growth of its agricultural sector, with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics leading the charge. Speaking during this year’s Farmers’ Day celebrations, Minister Frank Tayali unveiled a series of transport and logistics initiatives designed to help farmers’ access export markets more efficiently. His message was clear: without a strong logistics foundation, Zambia’s ambitions for agricultural wealth creation and value addition cannot be fully realized.
At the heart of the Ministry’s plan is the development of cargo handling infrastructure at all provincial airports. These facilities will include cold chain systems—temperature-controlled environments critical for storing and transporting perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and fish. “This means farmers can now access fast, efficient, and high-quality logistics that link them to regional and global markets,” Tayali said. With these systems in place, post-harvest losses will be reduced, quality will be preserved, and Zambian produce will be able to meet international standards for export.
Tayali also emphasized the government’s continuous work to modernize Zambia’s primary transportation routes, which are the eastern, western, southern, and northern ones. These routes, which link Zambia with its neighbors, are being improved to guarantee the safe and economical transportation of agricultural products and inputs. The Minister underlined that these corridors represent economic value chains that facilitate export, packaging, and agro-processing in addition to being transit routes. Improved corridor efficiency will increase farmers’ and agribusinesses’ competitiveness while lowering transportation costs and delays.
Particular focus is being placed on regions like Mkushi, Kalumbila, Nakonde, and Chipata, where agricultural activity is high and access to external markets can unlock substantial value. By improving road, rail, and air transport links in these areas, the Ministry aims to create an integrated logistics system that supports both small-scale farmers and large agribusiness operators.
Partnerships are a central pillar of this logistics push. The government is actively working with the private sector, farmer cooperatives, and international development partners to invest in logistics infrastructure that meets global benchmarks. Tayali reiterated that such collaboration is essential to ensure the sustainability, quality, and efficiency of Zambia’s logistics network. “Our goal is to unlock the full potential of Zambia’s fertile land and hardworking farmers,” he said.
Tayali encouraged Zambians to see logistics not just as a support function, but as a driver of economic transformation. He called for a change in mindset, where every harvest is viewed as an opportunity for export, and every village is connected to global markets through reliable transport systems. “Let us be bold. Let us innovate. Let us farm not only for today—but for the future,” he urged.
With strategic investments in logistics infrastructure now underway, Zambia is laying the groundwork for an agricultural sector that is not only productive, but also globally competitive.
