AgDevCo extends US$10M loan to Zambia’s Hybrid for poultry plant construction
British investment firm supports development of a new slaughterhouse to expand Zambia’s poultry processing capacity.
ZAMBIA – British investment company AgDevCo has approved a senior loan worth US$10 million to Hybrid, one of Zambia’s leading integrated poultry producers, to finance the construction of a new slaughterhouse in the country.
In a statement published on its website on Thursday, October 2, AgDevCo said the funding will go toward building a modern processing facility aimed at increasing poultry production to meet growing domestic demand and strengthen exports to regional markets.
Details about the plant’s capacity and construction timeline have not yet been disclosed, but the project is part of Hybrid’s broader strategy to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on imported poultry products.
According to Hybrid Chief Executive Officer Richard Keeley, the new facility will be among the largest in the region once completed and will position the company to serve both the local market and neighboring countries.
“This state-of-the-art facility represents a major step forward, allowing us to respond to the expanding demand in Zambia and supply customers in Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Keeley said in the statement.
Expanding processing capacity
Zambia’s poultry sector has grown steadily in recent years, but local supply still struggles to keep up with demand. Between 2020 and 2024, the country imported an average of 42,520 tonnes of poultry meat annually, valued at around US$22.2 million, according to data from Trade Map.
The planned slaughterhouse is expected to help reduce these imports by enabling Hybrid to process more chicken locally, supporting national efforts to achieve greater food self-sufficiency.
Located in Lusaka, the company currently operates hatcheries, feed mills, and farms that supply poultry to retailers and restaurants across Zambia. The new facility will further integrate its operations, from feed production to meat processing.
AgDevCo’s regional focus
For AgDevCo, the investment aligns with its goal of supporting agribusinesses that create sustainable jobs and market opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa.
The London-based firm manages about US$340 million in assets and has made over 88 investments since its inception, targeting businesses that generate both economic returns and social impact for smallholder farmers and rural communities.
By partnering with Hybrid, AgDevCo aims to strengthen its presence in Zambia’s agriculture sector and contribute to regional food industry development.
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