Cabinet Office tells provinces to turn Grow Zambia targets into delivery plans
Patrick Kangwa calls for measurable regional results as Cabinet Office says local enterprises must participate in production and supply chains.
Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa has called on provinces to identify the investments and practical interventions needed to deliver the government’s Grow Zambia agenda, moving the focus from national ambitions to regional implementation. In a statement dated 13th October, 2026, Cabinet Office said Kangwa opened a three-day Regional Economy Delivery Lab organised by the Presidential Delivery Unit at Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel. He placed responsibility on provinces to specify how they would help meet the national targets. [1]
Kangwa said the government was pursuing annual economic growth of between seven and 10 percent, alongside an ambition to double the economy over five years. He called for clearly defined provincial roles, accountable institutions and measurable performance across all ten provinces. The figures describe government objectives. The delivery lab is a planning and coordination exercise, rather than evidence that the projected growth has been achieved. [1]
Local businesses in the production network
A separate Cabinet Office statement, dated 12th October, places smaller enterprises within the same programme. Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development Siazongo Siakalenge said expanded production would require capable local suppliers, processors, service providers and distributors. His speech was delivered by Permanent Secretary for Special Duties Kennedy Kalunga at the inaugural Enterprises and Investment Indaba in Lusaka. [2]
Siakalenge called for micro, small and medium enterprises to participate in procurement, agricultural and mineral value chains, regional trade and export markets. Cabinet Office said the proposed enabling environment included business development services, infrastructure, skills, finance and digitalisation, with attention to women, young people, persons with disabilities and underserved areas. Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Pamela Chitulangoma said the ministry’s role included listening to private businesses and supporting implementation. [2]
The next question is what becomes operational
Taken together, the two statements connect provincial planning with the businesses expected to supply and serve a larger productive economy. That connection matters for subsequent coverage: a national production target can be followed through the regions and enterprises expected to help deliver it. The immediate news is the instruction to develop practical plans and the stated intention to widen enterprise participation, rather than the opening of a new grant or procurement window.
Neither announcement, as cited here, provides an application process for an individual business to obtain financing or a government contract. Readers should therefore distinguish the policy commitment from a specific opportunity with eligibility rules and a deadline. Reporting on implementation will require those details when programmes become available, along with information on how selection works and which institution is responsible for responding to businesses. That is where a broad promise of participation can be checked against an opportunity people can actually use.