#IAPRI in partnership with Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes held a high-level dialogue meeting on Zambia’s Agricultural Trade Policy Predictability in the AfCTA era at Urban hotel in Lusaka on 24th March 2026.

Stakeholders from the private sector, research institutions and government highlighted the urgent need for private sector-led growth, policy predictability and market transparency.

With an expected bumper harvest of maize, focus should be placed on efficient marketing, regional competitiveness, and unlocking export opportunities. Key discussions emphasized reducing trade barriers, improving infrastructure and storage, and ensuring consistent policies to rebuild market confidence.

Amid rising global uncertainty, including the ongoing Iran conflict, which is already disrupting fertiliser supply chains and pushing prices upward, participants stressed the need to move from reactive responses to proactive crisis management (forward-looking and preventative planning), especially as higher input costs could place additional pressure on programmes like the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP).

Notably, Zambia has the potential to be a regional food basket, but turning that potential into reality requires well coordinated and actionable reforms.

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