Rural Enterprise Development

As discussed in this strategy, Zambia exists in two spheres: an urban population with access to quality health care and education, and markets for growth, and a rural population struggling to secure clean water, primary health care, electricity, schooling and a pathway to sustainable income growth. A lack of economic opportunity, especially among women, shapes the trajectory of Zambia’s rural districts. FDI approaches the challenge of rural Zambia through entrepreneurship, especially as tied to the expanding digital economy, and by elevating the skills and resources available in rural communities. Advancing rural enterprise development and reducing entrenched poverty also require improved access to health care, stronger local governance, and community-influenced natural resources management. FDI’s work on rural development is closely coordinated with these other program areas to generate system-wide strengthening. 

Co-creating solutions such as conservation farming with community activists, the Government, and private sector will bring forth validated interventions capable of strengthening outcomes beyond the five years of this strategy.

Rapid Response: As the Government of Zambia seeks to scale up the entrepreneurial economy, especially in rural development and the green economy, a significant need is connecting would-be entrepreneurs, particularly women and the youth to the marketplace to bring their ideas to fruition. FDI is exploring the creation of an agri-business network for women and young people and how to use a technology platform approach including leveraging existing platforms such as the 50 Africa Women Speak platform being implemented by government in partnership with COMESA and the Africa Development Bank to speed up market access in support of Zambia’s accelerated development in rural communities.