Market systems analysis in Zambia - summary report

Since the 1960s, Zambia has been a haven for refugees escaping conflict in surrounding countries. Following decades of confinement to remote refugee settlements, refugees have often relied on donor assistance and are mainly excluded from the mainstream Zambian economy with few opportunities for economic empowerment. In 2015, ILO and UNHCR developed the Strategic Framework for Local Integration of Former Refugees in Zambia to assist the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) in advancing durable solutions for refugees wishing to integrate locally. An analysis identifies the agricultural sector as the focus sector for livelihood promotion strategies. However, refugee farmers are resource constrained and lack tools as well as access to high-quality agricultural inputs. This market systems analysis elucidates the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Zambia and provides recommendations for Meheba and Mayukwayukwa regions to strengthen access of farmers to high-quality inputs, increase know-how on the use of these inputs and modern farming techniques, and facilitate improved access to markets.