The curtain will come down today, Monday 3rd August 2026, on the 98th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show at the Lusaka Showgrounds, with government, farmers and businesses expected to leave with new pledges to turn science and technology into income for farmers and entrepreneurs.
The 6-day event started on 29 July 2026 under the theme “Fostering Trade and Investment”.
Organisers say the theme was chosen to highlight how innovation, digital tools and regional markets can make Zambia’s economy stronger and more competitive.
According to the Zambia National Agricultural Society, more than 1,100 exhibitors will have taken part by close of business today.
They include government ministries, statutory bodies, private companies, cooperatives, youth groups and international firms from Zimbabwe, South Africa, China, the Netherlands and Mozambique.
Attendance is estimated at over 260,000 people, which organisers say will make it one of the biggest turnouts in recent years.
The annual show has provided an important platform for businesses, government institutions, statutory bodies, entrepreneurs, innovators and other stakeholders to showcase products, services, ideas and technologies that contribute to national development.
A major focus this year has been the role of science, technology and innovation. Through the Ministry of Technology and Science, various institutions and statutory bodies have exhibited products and ideas linked directly to agriculture, commerce and entrepreneurship.
Displays have ranged from soil testing kits, solar-powered irrigation pumps, drone mapping for crop monitoring, to mobile apps that connect farmers to buyers and weather data.
Officials from the Ministry said the goal is not just to exhibit gadgets, but to increase public understanding of how science, technology and innovation contribute to everyday life and economic development.
Engagement tents have been set up where members of the public, especially students and young farmers, have been taken through practical demonstrations on digital connectivity, research and skills development.
“Beyond exhibiting products, our participation provides an opportunity to explain in simple terms how research and innovation can reduce costs, increase yields and create jobs,” a ministry official said.
“Farmers want to know how a soil sensor or a market app can put more money in their pocket, and that is what we are showing them.”
Trade and investment have dominated conversations on the show floor. The Zambia-Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce is expected to sign three memoranda of understanding covering maize, soybeans and horticulture.
The deals are aimed at easing movement of goods through Chirundu and Kazungula and opening new markets for Zambian produce.
Representatives from Mozambique are also present, holding talks with Zambian millers and exporters on using the Beira and Nacala corridors. The discussions are centered on reducing transport costs and clearing times so that Zambian maize, wheat and sugar can compete better in regional markets. South African companies are showcasing agro-processing equipment, while Chinese firms are promoting affordable tractors and greenhouses.
For farmers, the biggest concern remains last season’s drought which affected more than 70 percent of small-scale producers.
The Zambia National Farmers Union has used the show to push for faster adoption of drought-tolerant seed varieties, crop insurance and irrigation. ZNFU leaders say government’s planned announcement to subsidize drip irrigation for 50,000 small-scale farmers before the next planting season will be welcome, but have urged that distribution be transparent and timely.
Youth and financing have also been in the spotlight. ZANACO, Stanbic and NATSAVE have launched special loan packages of up to K200,000 for young agri-entrepreneurs. At the show’s business hub, over 5,200 youth have registered for training in agribusiness planning, record keeping and access to markets. Several cooperatives from Central and Eastern Provinces are expected to sign supply contracts with processors and exporters before the show closes.
Exhibitors have reported strong business. A solar irrigation company from Zimbabwe says inquiries have doubled compared to last year as farmers look for alternatives to expensive diesel and unreliable power. A Zambian cooperative is set to sign a K3.8 million contract to supply soybeans to a South African feed manufacturer. Local seed companies say demand for early-maturing maize and sorghum varieties has been the highest they have seen.
Government representatives say the show’s outcomes will feed into policy. Key areas expected to be prioritized include speeding up digital extension services, improving border processes to cut delays for exporters, and supporting research institutions to commercialize innovations developed at public universities.
The Society has confirmed that planning for the 99th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show will begin immediately after today, with dates to be announced later in 2027.
As exhibitors prepare to pack up this evening, the message from this year’s show is expected to be clear. For Zambia to grow, farming will have to be treated as business, backed by investment, science and access to regional markets.