Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 16th April, 2025.
Chinsali, Muchinga Province, Zambia.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia is laying the groundwork for transformative economic growth in Muchinga Province with the planned establishment of a state-of-the-art Industrial Yard in Chinsali.
This strategic initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, is designed to catalyze job creation, support value addition, and uplift local enterprises through industrialisation.
The project—backed by funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB)—forms part of a broader national programme that has already seen the successful construction and operationalisation of eight Industrial Yards across Zambia, including in Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, Solwezi, Mongu, Mansa, Kasama, and Chipata. These facilities have become engines of growth, especially in advancing light manufacturing and strengthening the cassava value chain, benefiting smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs.
Recognizing the existing infrastructure gap in Muchinga, Central, and Southern Provinces, the Ministry has taken decisive steps to bring Chinsali into the fold. A suitable site has already been identified, and technical teams are actively conducting land surveys in preparation for construction.
With an estimated project cost of USD 28 million, the Industrial Yard is set to break ground in June 2026. Beyond infrastructure, the project will also feature a Capacity Building Component aimed at empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives through training and skills development.
The Chinsali Industrial Yard is envisioned as a regional hub for:
- Boosting the competitiveness of MSMEs
- Facilitating industrial clustering in light manufacturing
- Supporting agricultural production and rural entrepreneurship
- Empowering smallholder farmers, especially within the cassava value chain
This bold step aligns with the New Dawn Government’s commitment to inclusive and regionally balanced development, ensuring that economic progress is not confined to urban centres alone.
The Ministry has called upon traditional leaders, local authorities, and other stakeholders to rally behind the initiative, recognizing it as a unique opportunity to unlock Muchinga’s industrial potential and improve livelihoods.
As the groundwork takes shape, Chinsali is poised to become a beacon of rural industrialisation and a testament to Zambia’s vision of broad-based economic empowerment.
The Agency.