Ruth Ngoma’s steady rise in youth-led agribusiness and policy advocacy has earned her a nomination for Creative Agripreneur of the Year under the Lusaka District Excellence Awards, an initiative supported by the Support for Education and Economic Development (SEED) Foundation.
The awards are structured as a development instrument, rewarding practical impact and inspiring replication of successful models while strengthening public–private–community partnerships.
Award values are provided either in cash or in-kind, including valued technical support, equipment, tools, and institutional assistance.
The awards are designed to recognize individuals within Lusaka District who are demonstrating excellence in education, entrepreneurship, agribusiness innovation and inclusive economic participation.
Unlike traditional award schemes, the Lusaka District Excellence Awards combine recognition with structured business support aimed at building sustainable enterprises.
Ngoma, a Lusaka-based agripreneur and youth policy advocate, said the nomination carries both recognition and responsibility.
“This recognition challenges me to grow the enterprise and bring other young people along,” she said.
Her journey into entrepreneurship and policy engagement began at Northern Technical College (NOTECH), where she studied Science and Laboratory Technology. While in college, she became actively involved in youth leadership platforms and national development conversations.
A defining moment came during the launch of Zambia’s National Youth Policy, when she engaged President Hakainde Hichilema during a question-and-answer session.
That encounter later led to her participation in processes contributing to the monitoring and evaluation of youth policy implementation.
Over the years, Ngoma has emerged as a recognized voice in youth-focused agricultural development and economic inclusion.
She has represented Zambia at several high-level international forums, including the Africa Youth Group of Twenty (G20) and youth engagements under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN-ECOSOC), where she contributed to discussions on agriculture, youth participation and inclusive growth.
Beyond advocacy, Ngoma has focused on building a viable enterprise.
Through support from the SEED Foundation, she is being placed on a structured business development trajectory designed to transition her initiatives from informal operations into fully compliant and market-ready enterprises.
The Creative Agripreneur of the Year Award is valued at K50,000 in business development services, rather than cash.
The support package includes registration of business entities with PACRA, financial feasibility studies, branding of products and services, website and social media development, and assistance with opening business bank accounts.
As part of this growth plan, Ngoma is expanding into value-added food production, including the baking of cakes and biscuits for supply to local markets and supermarkets, supported by technical mentorship and compliance guidance.
In addition, she is mentoring approximately 30 young people, equipping them with skills in financial literacy, record keeping, compliance and enterprise development, ensuring that the impact of the programme extends beyond a single beneficiary.
The Support for Education and Economic Development (SEED) Foundation, a capacity-building initiative under Schweizer Agriculture Ltd, focuses on strengthening education, enterprise development and inclusive economic participation, particularly among youth and women.
Through the Lusaka District Excellence Awards, the foundation applies a development-oriented approach that links recognition directly to practical business support.
The programme also reflects collaboration between the SEED Foundation, government institutions such as the Department of Resettlement under the Office of the Vice President, and private-sector partners working to convert youth potential into sustainable economic participation.
For Ngoma, the nomination marks another step in a longer journey.
“This support gives structure to what we are building,” she said.
“It allows us to grow responsibly and create opportunities for others.”
Kalemba December 31, 2025
