David Babington-Smith led a delegation of CPTM Smart Partners, to meet His Excellency, Hakainde Hichelema, the President of Zambia at State House, Lusaka.
The delegation included CPTM Director, Dr Caleb Fundanga, who is also Chairman of the Zambian Revenue Authority, and CPTM Smart Partner, Dr Sixtus Mulenga, Founder and Executive Chairman of Musama Resources Ltd. Further representatives from the CPTM Smart Partnership youth were also in attendance.
Mr Babington-Smith briefed His Excellency on the two new projects which form the heart of the CPTM re-imagination process – a Regional Fund for Core Farms & Outgrowers (to be hosted in Zambia) and a Regional AgTech Innovation Fund.
He thanked His Excellency and the government of Zambia for their critical input into the design of the initiatives. Dr Oliver Kalabo, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet had been particularly key in identifying the needs of small-holding farming, and mobilising support from the Cabinet Office. Her Excellency, Macenje Mazoka, the Zambian High Commissioner in London, had been similarly instrumental in raising awareness amongst the Commonwealth community in London and facilitating the Delegation’s visit itself.
