Zambia has secured over USD 30 million in climate finance aimed at protecting smallholder farmers from the impacts of climate change, including droughts and erratic rainfall patterns.
According to a press release issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia – Seoul, the project titled “Catalyzing a Climate Risk Protection Shield for Zambian Smallholder Farmers” will receive USD 25 million in grant financing from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and an additional USD 5.26 million in co-financing from One Acre Fund Limited.
The initiative is expected to provide climate risk protection mechanisms, climate-smart agricultural inputs, and land restoration support to vulnerable farming communities across Zambia.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Ms. Prudence Kaoma, described the initiative as a major step in embedding climate resilience into Zambia’s development agenda.
“Zambia is placing climate risk management at the core of its development. Our accreditation to the Green Climate Fund is not just a technical milestone; it is a mandate to turn climate finance into concrete, measurable results for our people,” Ms. Kaoma said.
She emphasised that the project will help farmers access predictable support during climate stress, noting that climate shocks affect families directly and often force them into difficult survival decisions.
“When the rains come late or end too early, it is not a graph that feels the shock, it is a family deciding whether they can keep children in school or sell livestock to survive.
This initiative will ensure timely support, restore degraded land, and sustain agricultural productivity through climate-smart solutions,” she added.
Ms. Kaoma noted that the project supports Zambia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and reflects the government’s commitment to integrating climate resilience into national planning and budgeting.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Mr. Andrew Banda, described the project as a significant milestone under the environmental sustainability pillar of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
“This is a critical step in safeguarding livelihoods, strengthening food security, and building resilience among our rural communities,” Ambassador Banda said.
He highlighted the increasing threat climate change poses to Zambia’s agriculture sector, citing recurring droughts and unpredictable rainfall, and stressed the importance of partnerships with institutions like the Green Climate Fund.
“Through collaboration with partners such as the Green Climate Fund, we are turning climate ambition into tangible and impactful results.
By enhancing access to climate finance and advancing innovative risk protection mechanisms, we are safeguarding livelihoods, strengthening food security, and building resilience across our rural communities,” he said.
Ambassador Banda also expressed appreciation to the Government of Zambia through the Ministries of Finance and National Planning and Green Economy and Environment, the Green Climate Fund, and cooperating partners for their continued support.
The statement was issued by Zondi Chilembo, First Secretary – Tourism, Embassy of the Republic of Zambia – Seoul.