Govt Fast-Tracks Life Project

Dr Chibamba said all partners needed to work backwards from the 2027 planting season and begin putting the necessary arrangements in place to ensure plantations were established next year.

“Plantation establishment must start next year, in 2027. This requires us to work backwards from the planting season and begin the necessary preparations now,” he said.

He was speaking in Ndola during a LIFE Project stakeholders’ round table held as part of the World Bank appraisal mission covering Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces.

Dr Chibamba said the project presented an opportunity to translate President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia agenda into practical investments in the forest economy through expanded productive forestry, restoration of degraded landscapes, private-sector participation and increased local processing.

He said the project would create opportunities across the forestry value chain, from seed production and nurseries to plantation establishment, harvesting, transportation, timber processing and furniture manufacturing.

Communities would also have opportunities to develop enterprises in beekeeping and other non-timber forest products, he said.

“My message to stakeholders is simple: begin positioning yourselves now for the opportunities that the LIFE Project is expected to create,” Dr Chibamba said.

He urged private companies, financial institutions, cooperatives, women and young entrepreneurs to identify investment opportunities and establish partnerships, particularly through outgrower schemes along the Lobito Corridor.

Dr Chibamba disclosed that Government had commissioned a feasibility study on the forest economy, whose findings would inform the review of the Forest Act and help provide an appropriate legal framework for the LIFE Project.

He also appealed to the World Bank Group to support the development of a jurisdictional Emissions Reduction Programme covering North-Western Province, building on Zambia’s experience in Eastern and Muchinga provinces.

He said the programme would complement the LIFE Project by creating opportunities for communities to earn benefits from protecting and restoring natural forests through results-based climate financing.

And World Bank Group Country Manager for Zambia Martine Valcin said the institution was exploring how Zambia could build a sustainable forest economy that creates jobs, increases local value addition, attracts responsible private investment and opens meaningful opportunities for communities.

Ms Valcin said the Lobito Corridor also presented potential for improved market access, which could support the development of the forest industry.

She explained that the LIFE Project was still under preparation and that the stakeholders’ round table provided an opportunity to gather views, examine the proposed investment opportunities and assess what was commercially viable.

She called on stakeholders to identify the constraints that needed to be addressed and propose ways of ensuring that communities participated fairly in the project.

“Success will ultimately be measured by whether we can create sustainable jobs and investment, strengthen local enterprises, protect Zambia’s natural forests, and ensure that communities share meaningfully in the benefits,” Ms Valcin said.

Stakeholders, including the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO), WeForest and wood-processing companies, expressed optimism about the opportunities the LIFE Project was expected to create in the forestry sector.

The round table was attended by Ndola District Commissioner Precious Njekwa, who represented Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Lawrence Mwanza, alongside the World Bank Group team, the Department of Chiefs’ Affairs, other government institutions, private-sector representatives, cooperating partners and civil society organisations.