Kenya buys Zambia’s surplus maize

Zambia and Kenya have agreed to trade Zambia’s surplus maize, with Kenya buying more than half a million metric tonnes of non-GMO white maize. Ministry of Information and Media Director Spokesperson, Henry Kapata, says Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Investment,…

Zambia and Kenya have agreed to trade Zambia’s surplus maize, with Kenya buying more than half a million metric tonnes of non-GMO white maize.

Ministry of Information and Media Director Spokesperson, Henry Kapata, says Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Investment, Siazongo Siakalenge, signed the agreement on behalf of the Zambian government, paving the way for Zambia to export 540,000 metric tonnes of maize to Kenya.

Mr Kapata says Kenya had initially requested 10.8 million 90kg bags of maize, equivalent to about 972,000 metric tonnes, with a further three million bags expected afterwards.

He has told the media in Lusaka today that the 540,000 metric tonnes is what Zambia has agreed to make available at this stage as discussions on the transaction continue.

Mr Kapata said the Kenyan delegation has welcomed the agreement, with both countries expressing optimism that the deal will open the way for larger trade volumes between the two countries.

“President Hakainde Hichilema has directed that Zambia increases maize production from the current level of about 5 million metric tonnes to 10 million metric tonnes,” Mr Kapata said.

He added that the Kenya agreement shows the kind of regional market that Zambia can supply as production increases.

Zambia and Kenya are already working together in other areas that are directly connected to the Grow Zambia Agenda, including tourism and regional electricity trade.

The two countries are also working towards connecting the Southern African Power Pool and the East African Power Pool through the Tanzania-Kenya inter connector.