Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing food security, creating jobs and promoting broad based citizen economic empowerment through strategic investments in aquaculture and other productive sectors.

Speaking during the first harvest ceremony of the Senanga Aquaculture Expansion Project in Senanga District, Western Province, Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Acting Permanent Secretary Lemmy Kafwamfwa said the project demonstrates the Government’s resolve to stimulate rural industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.

Mr Kafwamfwa said the project is a clear demonstration of how collaboration between Government and various stakeholders can transform rural communities through productive investments.

“This harvest is expected to yield over 300 metric tons of fish per production cycle. This is not a small feat. It represents a direct and meaningful contribution towards closing Zambia’s protein gap and reducing our reliance on imported fish,” He said.

Mr Kafwamfwa further said the development demonstrates in the clearest terms, how strategic partnerships between Government, local communities, and financial institutions can transform rural economies and advance climate-smart, community-driven development.

Meanwhile, Western Province Permanent Secretary Simomo Akapelwa said the Provincial Administration remains committed to supporting initiatives that unlock the economic potential of all districts while improving the welfare of local communities.

 Mr Akapelwa expressed confidence that the success of the project is a strong indication that Western Province is making steady progress towards sustainable economic growth and rural industrialisation.

“Western Province is greatly encouraged by the collaborative efforts between the Government, the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Barotse Royal Establishment, and our local cooperatives. Through this partnership, Senanga is becoming a model for aquaculture development, contributing to increased fish production, improved household incomes and enhanced economic opportunities for our citizens,” Mr Akapelwa said.

And Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission Director General Charles Muwe, in a speech read on his behalf by CEEC Director of Finance Ophelia Nyambe, described the project as a demonstration of the Commission’s value chain development approach aimed at empowering citizens through district-based industries.

Dr Muwe stressed the importance of prudent management of the project to guarantee its long-term sustainability and continued benefits to beneficiary cooperatives.

“We pledge to continue our monitoring of this project to ensure its continued sustainability and success, and we will continue to share information about opportunities like this one through platforms such as this event and other media avenues,” He said.

Speaking in a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiary cooperatives, Silvia Imasiku thanked the Government through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock for the support rendered throughout the implementation of the project.

 She said the empowerment programme will significantly improve the livelihoods of cooperative members and enable many families to educate their children through the income generated from fish farming.

The Senanga Aquaculture Park comprises 56 floating fish cages on the Zambezi River, a modern hatchery with the capacity to produce one million fingerlings annually, and a cold chain system consisting of a 10-ton cold room and a five-ton refrigerated truck, representing a total investment of K10.8 million.

The project is being implemented by the Government through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock under the Eighth National Development Plan, with a focus on promoting food security, job creation and rural industrialisation.

The fish cages were officially commissioned on 7th November 2025, and four beneficiary cooperatives have since received fish cages, technical training and business support, culminating in the successful harvesting of their first fish stock.

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