USADF Signs TWO gRANTS TO sUPPORT fISHING aSSOCIATIONS IN zAMBIA:

WASHINGTON - April 9, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 9, 2010 – The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) signed two grant agreements to support fishing associations in Zambia.  The grantees are Itezhi-tezhi Business Association (IBA) and Mweru Luapula Fishing Association (MLFA). 

USADF Chairman Jack Leslie stated, “Supporting groups like IBA and MLFA helps local communities in terms of food security and increased incomes for members, which in turn creates a better quality of life for community members.”

Located in Itzehi-tezhi District in the Southern Province, IBA has 65 members who are either direct fishers or traders who buy fish from the fishers and transport the fish for sale in Lusaka.  IBA stores its fish in rented cold storage facilities and transports the fish in rented truck.  Along with inconsistent demands from its sole customer, IBA has identified coordination between storage and transportation a major challenge.  The two year grant will fund the purchase of a cold storage facilities and a refrigerated truck.  Further monies will help IBA identify and secure alternate marketing options.

MLFA markets the fish caught by its 1,900 members in four districts in Luapula Province: Nchelenge, Mwense, Kawambwa, and Chienge.  Each member of MLFA catches and sells an average of 2.5 tons of fish to traders each month.  Members of MLFA are presently selling fish to traders at below-market price.  While MLFA would like to assist members to market their fish through the association in order to bring a higher price for their product, MLFA lacks the organizational capacity and working capital necessary for expansion.  The two year grant will support management systems, training, a fish purchasing fund, a cold storage facility, a refrigerated truck, and packaging materials.

USADF began programming in Zambia in 2003. Zambia’s current portfolio stands at thirty-two investment projects totaling more than $6 million dollars. For more information about the portfolio, please visit the country’s quick source page at http://www.adf.gov/USADF-QuickSourceCountryPortfolioPage-Zambia.htm.

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is a United States Government agency dedicated to expanding access to economic opportunities to the most marginalized populations in Africa. Currently USADF operates in 20 African countries. Over the past 25 years, USADF has funded in excess of $200 million in African initiated and led development projects.  For more information on USADF, its programs and application guidelines, visit www.usadf.gov.

###

• Contact Us
• Site Index
• Privacy Statement
• Fair Act
• No Fear Act
• Inspector General Hotline
• Disclaimers