On 7 August 2026, Zambia commissioned a quarantine and phytosanitary laboratory rehabilitated in Livingstone, southern province. The equipment must bring the diagnostic services closer to producers and commercial operators and reduce the time and cost of controlling plant products by up to 50%.

The laboratory was rehabilitated and equipped through a partnership between the Zambian government and TradeMark Africa, with UK funding. The work covered laboratory and office spaces, the installation of work plans, the strengthening of safety features and the provision of diagnostic equipment.

The official presentation ceremony was held on 7 August in Livingstone, in the presence of Siazongo Siakalenge, Assistant Secretary of the Cabinet in charge of Finance and Economic Development, and Hope Situmbeko, Regional Director of TradeMark Africa for Southern Africa.

Placed in a corn, citrus and horticultural production area, the laboratory must serve producers, plant breeders, importers, exporters, freight forwarders and cross-border traders.

Its location also strengthens phytosanitary controls near the main crossing points in the region, including the Victoria Falls border crossing to Zimbabwe, the Kazungula post to Botswana and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport.

Analyses may include pests, plant diseases and pathogens affecting seeds and cereals.

The strengthening of diagnostic capabilities should allow for faster identification of plant health risks and facilitate decisions on product certification, treatment, quarantine or release.

So far, some samples had to be sent to remote laboratories, which extended control times and increased costs for operators.

The new facility must therefore contribute to compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for Zambian agricultural exports to regional and international markets.

This infrastructure complements the investments made by TradeMark Africa in the country's phytosanitary system.

Among other things, the organization had supported the rehabilitation and equipping of a Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service laboratory at the Nakonde one-stop border post in northern Zambia to strengthen control of maize and other plant products.