LUSAKA, Zambia – As delegates gather at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka this week, the atmosphere is markedly different from typical development conferences. The Poultry Futures Forum 2025 (November 25–26) has been billed not as a talking shop, but as a “delivery lab”—a geopolitical intervention designed to overhaul the region’s food systems.
Hosted by the Zambian government in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), the forum marks the official launch of the Southern Africa Poultry Initiative (SAPI). The goal is ambitious but precise: to unlock the economic power of the poultry sector to improve the livelihoods of 10 million people across the region.
From Diagnostics to Action
The Lusaka forum represents a strategic pivot from the “diagnostics” of previous years to “coordinated implementation.” Regional leaders are confronting what the Africa Food Systems Report 2025 calls the “African Paradox”: while agricultural output on the continent has grown by 4.3% annually since 2000, food insecurity remains rampant, with one in three children still suffering from stunting.
“Africa cannot afford piecemeal progress,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, ahead of the event. “We must seize this moment to scale inclusive innovations, attract investment, and put farmers, youth, and small businesses at the center of our food systems”.
This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Julius Chulu, Director of Animal Health and Livestock Development in Malawi, who emphasized the shift in tone for the 2025 convening. “This initiative is about implementation, not theory,” Chulu stated, noting that previous national labs have already identified the barriers—now is the time to dismantle them.
The Feed Crisis and the “Hidden Middle”
High on the agenda is the region’s chronic “feed crisis.” Poultry feed accounts for up to 70% of production costs, and the sector has been battered by a “perfect storm” of climate-induced droughts and volatile maize and soya prices. In 2024, Zambia saw soybean production plummet by 74%, triggering price surges that forced many smallholder farmers out of business.
To counter this, the Forum will showcase the finalists of the Poultry Feed Innovation Grand Challenge, a competition launched by AGRA and the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF). The challenge aims to surface disruptive technologies—from insect protein to digital supply chain finance—that can decouple poultry production from volatile grain markets.
Furthermore, the initiative targets the “hidden middle” of the value chain—the aggregators, processors, and millers that connect small farmers to markets. Through the new Africa100 initiative, partners aim to identify and capitalize 100 high-potential “anchor firms” capable of driving regional growth.
Zambia as the Regional Hub
Zambia’s role as host is no coincidence. With eight neighbors and a vast agricultural land reserve, the country is positioning itself as the “breadbasket” for the region’s poultry industry. The government is actively seeking $953.8 million in investment to boost production of maize and soybeans, the critical raw materials for feed.
“Zambia is open for business,” declared Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Eng. Peter Kapala. “We are eager to partner with private investors and development organizations to expand irrigation, mechanization, and agro-processing—key enablers for sustainable food production and trade”.
This “open for business” stance is already yielding results. AgDevCo recently announced a $10 million investment in Hybrid Poultry, a move set to expand processing capacity and link over 2,000 small-scale farmers to formal markets.
Empowering the Next Generation
Beyond economics, the Forum is placing a heavy emphasis on social inclusion. The poultry sector is seen as a vital entry point for women and youth, who often face barriers to land ownership and finance.
Success stories from the region will be highlighted as models for replication. In Malawi, a partnership between FAO and UNFPA has already supported over 1,000 young people, including teen mothers like 18-year-old Kherena Medson. After dropping out of school, Medson used a small grant to start a poultry business, the profits from which allowed her to return to education.
“Poultry farming gave us a new beginning,” Medson said, illustrating the transformative potential of the sector when coupled with targeted support.
A Grand Bargain for the Future
As the delegates convene in Lusaka, the stakes are high. The vision of a unified regional market—where Zambian feed powers South African processing plants, and Malawian eggs nourish rural communities—requires navigating complex trade barriers and protectionist policies.
However, the momentum behind SAPI suggests a readiness for a “Grand Bargain.” By aligning policy, finance, and technology, Southern Africa aims to turn its poultry sector from a survival mechanism into an engine of regional prosperity.
Event Details:
- Event: Poultry Futures Forum 2025
- Date: 25–26 November 2025
- Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia
- Key Partners: AGRA, SACAU, AECF, GAIN, Government of Zambia