CaDev_Catalyst Development hosted FAO along side other partners and stakeholders to assess the status of food waste management in markets including the Chilenje market where CaDev implemented the Fresh Food Markets Solid Waste Management project.

The visit brought together key stakeholders including Carmen Maria Zuleta Ferrari, Fundi Banda and Cornelius Zemba from FAO, Taonga Chanda from Eco Africa, who are currently managing the waste bay operations, as well as Dr. Giveson Zulu and Felix Sinkala from CaDev.

The visit provided an opportunity to reflect on progress made, identify existing gaps, and strengthen coordination among stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability.

Building on this engagement, the team also visited Mtendere Market to explore solutions for organic waste management in fresh food markets, and later toured the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) site run by CaDev’s collaborative partner Mwanamwenda Brizzy Mulwabo at Gracehaven Farms Ltd in Meanwood Vorna Valley. The BSF process continues to demonstrate how organic waste (including market waste) can be transformed into high protein animal feed and nutrient-rich manure, reinforcing the value of circular waste solutions.

These engagements mark an important step in ensuring that the systems put in place are not only functional, but continue to evolve into scalable, sustainable waste management models for Lusaka’s markets.