New Pavilion at Agriculture Showgrounds Commissioned

Milupi says this shows Government’s Commitment to Infrastructure Development and Economic Growth

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24  - (August 3, 2025) - The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Charles Milupi, on Sunday commissioned a newly constructed pavilion at the Agricultural and Commercial Showgrounds in Lusaka, reaffirming government’s commitment to national infrastructure as a catalyst for economic transformation.

Constructed by Fungal Investments Limited at a cost of K2.2 million, the project involved demolition of the previous structure and the full reconstruction of a modern pavilion along with associated works.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr. Milupi underscored the significance of infrastructure in Zambia’s development agenda under President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration.

“The President has made it very clear: growing the economy is the top priority because only through growth can we deliver social services like education, healthcare, and protection for the vulnerable,” Mr. Milupi said. 

“But that growth depends on ensuring that every region of the country participates in the economy—and that can only happen if infrastructure reaches those areas.”

He explained that the Ministry plays a central role in enabling access to the country’s widely distributed natural resources, which were not concentrated in Lusaka or the Copperbelt but scattered across all provinces.

“To unlock those resources, we need to construct more roads, bridges, rail lines, and airports. Infrastructure makes it possible for both government and private sector players to reach those remote but resource-rich areas,” he said.

Mr. Milupi noted that with targets such as producing 10 million metric tons of maize and three million tons of copper, infrastructure will be crucial to achieving the economic vision. 

He called for broader participation in future exhibitions and encouraged infrastructure contractors to showcase their work through platforms like the newly commissioned pavilion.

“This building gives us an opportunity to exhibit the Ministry’s work annually—from roads and bridges to schools and public buildings. Next year, I want to see more activity, more exhibitors, and more engagement from all sectors,” he said.

Agricultural Show Society Applauds Milestone

Dr. Bernard Moonga, President of the Agricultural and Commercial Cooperative Society of Zambia, praised the Ministry for delivering what he described as a "high-quality piece of infrastructure" aligned with the Society’s vision of providing a world-class exhibition experience.

“This building represents a key component of that vision,” Dr. Moonga said. “Every year, we strive in our own small way to improve infrastructure at the showgrounds. Just yesterday, we inaugurated a newly renovated pavilion—The Young Farmers Pavilion—officiated by the Republican President himself.”

Dr. Moonga said the newly commissioned structure would strengthen the Society’s capacity to host more diverse and professional exhibitions and create room for partnerships between government and private sector entities.

He also hinted at plans to utilize the new pavilion beyond the main show season, saying, “We are thinking about how best to use the building throughout the year. We plan to bring in agricultural, cultural, and preservation-related services so that the facility benefits the public year-round.”

The commissioning sets the tone for a vibrant week of exhibitions and infrastructure showcases at this year’s Agricultural and Commercial Show, expected to draw participants from across Zambia’s key development sectors.