ARLINGTON, April 8 — Nathan is excited to expand its footprint in Zambia with its recent award of the $12mn, multi-year MarketConnect Consultancy Services. This is a new private-sector strengthening project that Nathan will implement in the country. Nathan is also currently implementing the DFID-funded Private Enterprise Programme Zambia (PEPZ).

MarketConnect is a 30-month project (with the possibility of an extension for another 30 months) funded by the World Bank under the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Programme (ZATP) and implemented via the Zambian Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment (MCTI). Over the next two and a half years, Nathan will work with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agribusiness sector in Zambia to increase market linkages, integrate them into supply chains and contribute to firm growth. This is in line with the Government of Zambia’s goal of moving the Zambian economy from its current heavy dependence on mining, to one based on agriculture, livestock and fisheries, and their entire value chains. This brings promising investment opportunities for agribusiness SMEs and agro-processors, especially in smallholder inputs and output markets, and value addition/processing.

Following a private sector driven approach that is transaction oriented and market-led, Nathan will identify SMEs as well as buyers in value chains that show a promising economic growth trajectory.

Eamon Cassidy, Nathan’s UK Managing Director said, “We are delighted to launch Market Connect and we look forward to working closely with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment to drive forward economic diversification in Zambia. Agribusiness in Zambia has huge potential to generate growth, trade, and jobs and we are delighted to be bringing our expertise and our decades of experience to this exciting new program.”

Sue Chodakewitz, Nathan’s President and CEO said, “This is an important win for Nathan, as it broadens our scope and footprint in Zambia and the region at large.”

The Nathan team will provide tailored technical assistance to entrepreneurs that will enable them to improve the quality and quantity of their products to ensure they are meeting buyer requirements. These include fruit and vegetables, dairy and meat and poultry. The tailored technical assistance will be focused on transactions that respond to market demand in order to yield immediate results and demonstrate high value for money to the businesses.

Building on our successful track-record in Zambia, Nathan is looking forward to leveraging our experience in the private sector and working with the ambitious and promising agro-business sector in the country. To learn more about our private sector work visit: https://www.nathaninc.com/private-sector-development/

About Nathan
Nathan is a private international economic and analytics consulting firm that works with government and commercial clients around the globe to deliver practical solutions and achieve lasting results. Whether building frameworks for economic growth or navigating regulatory hurdles, securing infrastructure financing or evaluating and assessing disputes, Nathan’s experts serve as trusted partners, offering clients the analysis, technical advice, and strategies they need for sound decision-making.

Known for both technical and service excellence, Nathan has corporate offices in the US, UK, and India and more than 40 program offices around the world. More information about Nathan can be found at nathaninc.com.

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